Saturday, November 12, 2011
Too Many Blogs to Keep Up With
Hey gang, sorry for the extended delay. I do want to continue this thesis on The Shack, so if you will be patient, we will continue. If you want to see some more updated messages/postings, feel free to visit wannagetlit.blogspot.com.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Dismantling the Shack (pt. 2)
Our continuation of the thesis/anti-thesis comes from chapter 4 of The Shack. The story's main character, Mack, finds himself in the embrace of what we will later find to be a manifestation of God, Himself.
Mack decided to bang loudly and see what happened, but just as he raised his fist to do so, the door flew open, and he was looking directly into the face of a large beaming African-American woman (pg. 82).
Now before I proceed any further with this particular point, let it be known to all that this thread should in no way be assumed to be derogatory to ethnicity or gender. To begin with, it is in my opinion, very dangerous to reduce God into human terms or thought. God is not a person. Any depiction of Him as creation is idolistic in nature. Jesus is different. He came as a man, therefore He can be depicted as a man.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever (Romans 1:25, HCSB).
The truth of God is not only the truth concerning God, but also God's truth concerning all things, including mankind. This truth is that people are creatures of God and can find true fulfillment only in living obediently to His Word. Living obediently to God's Word includes not making false idols.
Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on earth below or in the waters under the earth (Exodus 20:4, HCSB).
The second commandment builds on the first, prohibiting any "image in the form of anything." In the ancient Near East, people conceptualized their many gods using images. they made statues and carvings and idols as physical representations of the divine beings they believed controlled their fate. A statue or carving gives shape and size and depth to the divine. An idol helped people understand just who their god was and what their god was like. But this exodus God is different. This God is inviting these people to be priests, to show the world what this God is like through their lives. This God doesn't need images in the form of wood or stone or marble, because this God has people (Rob Bell, Don Golden, Jesus Wants to Save Save Christians; A Manifesto for the Church in Exile, 33-4).
Other translations say "graven image"; a graven image is taking the invisible God and making Him visible. Young is taking the Creator and trying to make Him part of creation. This is nothing more than paganism wrapped up in an aesthetically pleasing package.
Additionally, we can only come before God with Christ as our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews 4:14-16). To come before God in any other way would mean certain death.
Next is Young's portrayal of the Trinity. If you read the reviews and listen to accolades from people that may be genuine followers of Christ but lack the true understanding of the Trinity it is truly disheartening. You see, the majority of Christians lack discernment. This is one of the great gifts Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians. Discernment comes with and by much study. We must saturate ourselves with God's Word, daily. It is not something simply learned by osmosis - it takes work and dedication. How incredibly tragic that readers (believers and non-believers alike) would not hold true to God's Word;
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new (or hear what they want to hear; lit themselves, itching in the hearing). They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths (fables), (2 Timothy 4:3-4, HCSB).
Mack decided to bang loudly and see what happened, but just as he raised his fist to do so, the door flew open, and he was looking directly into the face of a large beaming African-American woman (pg. 82).
Now before I proceed any further with this particular point, let it be known to all that this thread should in no way be assumed to be derogatory to ethnicity or gender. To begin with, it is in my opinion, very dangerous to reduce God into human terms or thought. God is not a person. Any depiction of Him as creation is idolistic in nature. Jesus is different. He came as a man, therefore He can be depicted as a man.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever (Romans 1:25, HCSB).
The truth of God is not only the truth concerning God, but also God's truth concerning all things, including mankind. This truth is that people are creatures of God and can find true fulfillment only in living obediently to His Word. Living obediently to God's Word includes not making false idols.
Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on earth below or in the waters under the earth (Exodus 20:4, HCSB).
The second commandment builds on the first, prohibiting any "image in the form of anything." In the ancient Near East, people conceptualized their many gods using images. they made statues and carvings and idols as physical representations of the divine beings they believed controlled their fate. A statue or carving gives shape and size and depth to the divine. An idol helped people understand just who their god was and what their god was like. But this exodus God is different. This God is inviting these people to be priests, to show the world what this God is like through their lives. This God doesn't need images in the form of wood or stone or marble, because this God has people (Rob Bell, Don Golden, Jesus Wants to Save Save Christians; A Manifesto for the Church in Exile, 33-4).
Other translations say "graven image"; a graven image is taking the invisible God and making Him visible. Young is taking the Creator and trying to make Him part of creation. This is nothing more than paganism wrapped up in an aesthetically pleasing package.
Additionally, we can only come before God with Christ as our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews 4:14-16). To come before God in any other way would mean certain death.
Next is Young's portrayal of the Trinity. If you read the reviews and listen to accolades from people that may be genuine followers of Christ but lack the true understanding of the Trinity it is truly disheartening. You see, the majority of Christians lack discernment. This is one of the great gifts Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians. Discernment comes with and by much study. We must saturate ourselves with God's Word, daily. It is not something simply learned by osmosis - it takes work and dedication. How incredibly tragic that readers (believers and non-believers alike) would not hold true to God's Word;
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new (or hear what they want to hear; lit themselves, itching in the hearing). They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths (fables), (2 Timothy 4:3-4, HCSB).
They will turn to myths; fiction, and regard it as truth. People are reading this and taking it for what it is not - TRUTH. This is no different than the masses flocking to the way of the da Vinci Code. Mankind does not want the truth because the truth is foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 1:18 & 2:14). It is simpler to buy into a lie than it is the truth.
The word "fables" here is muthos, the Greek word for fiction or mythology. The doctrine of demons equates the truth with mythology, and it surrounds the Church today on every side. Who is at the forefront of this onslaught? It is the theologians and church seminaries. The very places that should be giving the truth, now promote the deadliest of lies. Their Bible is mythology: fables and legends that must be reconstructed to meet the needs of our age. The truth has been equated with mythology (Walter Martin, The Kingdom of the Occult, 61-2).
When we have a lack of biblical understanding (discernment) we make ourselves vulnerable to the lies of this world. Remember that God has granted Satan the power as "ruler of this word" and "the god of this age." His power is only temporary and we should not fear for God's Spirit is within us and that shakes Hell to its very core.
-God speed
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Being Exceptionally Careful
Okay gang, I haven't forgotten about our discussion on Dismantling the Shack, however I have come across some very important topics regarding the Trinity that the story portrays, distorts and severely perverts. I want to make sure that what I write on this topic is biblically sound and theologically correct so I'm being exceptionally careful. My goal is to have it posted either today or tomorrow so please be patient.
-blessings
-blessings
Saturday, January 3, 2009
As many of you may have noticed, I am already behind in my posts for the New Year. I do, however have a legitimate excuse - I forgot my copy of The Shack. You see, the family and I are currently at my folk's house for a much needed break and visit with the family. So with that said I am going to do a short post on something that I am sure everyone is doing in some sort or fashion;
RESOLUTIONS!
Diets, saving money, bad habits, home repairs, etc., etc.; the list goes on and on. We all make them. Amazingly, some even fulfill them, but for me, the question arises, "Are resolutions biblical?" My answer to this question, after some study, is "yes" provided that the resolutions are not only sensible, but according to God's Word and Will.
"We must be sensible in grasping the simple truth that every resolution must be made in dependence on God (Burk Parsons, Tabletalk Magazine, January, 2009; Vol. 33, Number 1). In order to be in accordance with God's will, I encourage you to study His Word beginning with Matthew 6:9-13. To put it plainly, our resolutions must parallel God's resolutions for us.
As we begin this new year, it is my suggestion that you (we) resolve to to accept God's will, whether good or not so good. For Christ made the ultimate resolution some 2000 plus years ago. Though He knew the difficulties, He pressed on. He kept it perfectly and completely and because of this, we now have a mediator as we stand before God.
-blessings
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thanks for Your Patience
Well kiddos, beginning New Year's day, I will continue our discussion "Dismantling the Shack." I'm sorry for the delay, but we are still continuing to clean up and rebuild after Ike. I'm looking forward to revealing the theological inconsistencies that many have taken as truth.
-God speed
-God speed
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Yet Another Delay In Posts
If you have been under a rock and not seen what has happened in the Texas Gulf, Hurricane Ike has become the new Katrina. I am able to say that with absolute confidence in that Ike's force surpassed Katrina's by 10% based on the amount of water that was moved (kinetic energy). So with that said, I will be out of pocket for a few weeks to a month. You can see updates and photos of operations on my other blog http://www.theperpetualchristian.blogspot.com
-blessings
-blessings
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Dismantling The Shack
The first four chapters read more like your typical fictional novel until the end of chapter 4 where it begins to touch upon the charater's past seminary experience which then brings theology (the speaking of God) into the storyline.
"In seminary he had been taught that God had completely stopped any overt communication with moderns, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture, properly interpreted, of course. God's voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by proper authorities and intellects. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the ancients and uncivilized, while educated Westerners' access to God was mediated and controlled by the intelligentsia. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" (pp. 65-66)
It is quite tragic that the author, whether intentional or not, would feel that Scripture is a reduction of God's voice and not a manifestation of it. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Additionally, God's Word is His greatest revelation to us in this generation. I am in agreement with the author in that God's Word must be properly interpreted (exegesis, isegesis and hermeneutics). For many have misinterpreted (whether intentional or not) God's Word to either suit a personal agenda or out of ignorance to the cultural backgrounds, context, style and meaning of the original manuscript. God's Word is not exclusive as the author states, rather it is inclusive of ALL that seek Him. The Bible was written at an elemetary grade level so that all could understand. Make no mistake, however. There are many who will not understand Scripture;
But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God's Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is evaluated (discerned) spiritually. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
There are many atheists that know Scripture well enough to quote, however until Scripture is put into practice, it was never really learned. An example would be reading a book on how to build a house. I can know the words and teachings of the book from cover to cover, but until I put my hands on a hammer or saw and attempt to build a house, everything I know is hypothetical or assumed. To understand God's Word, one must first know God's Son (John 1:1) otherwise Scripture will be like trying to read stereo instructions in a different language.
We can now see some hints as to the author's (or at least his main character's) beliefs toward Scripture. For us, God's Word is His greatest revelation to the church-age. It is His voice to this generation;
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).
I will try to have a post ready for next week, however I will probably be re-deployed this week for Hurricane Ike.
grace and peace,
-josh
"In seminary he had been taught that God had completely stopped any overt communication with moderns, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture, properly interpreted, of course. God's voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by proper authorities and intellects. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the ancients and uncivilized, while educated Westerners' access to God was mediated and controlled by the intelligentsia. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" (pp. 65-66)
It is quite tragic that the author, whether intentional or not, would feel that Scripture is a reduction of God's voice and not a manifestation of it. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Additionally, God's Word is His greatest revelation to us in this generation. I am in agreement with the author in that God's Word must be properly interpreted (exegesis, isegesis and hermeneutics). For many have misinterpreted (whether intentional or not) God's Word to either suit a personal agenda or out of ignorance to the cultural backgrounds, context, style and meaning of the original manuscript. God's Word is not exclusive as the author states, rather it is inclusive of ALL that seek Him. The Bible was written at an elemetary grade level so that all could understand. Make no mistake, however. There are many who will not understand Scripture;
But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God's Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is evaluated (discerned) spiritually. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
There are many atheists that know Scripture well enough to quote, however until Scripture is put into practice, it was never really learned. An example would be reading a book on how to build a house. I can know the words and teachings of the book from cover to cover, but until I put my hands on a hammer or saw and attempt to build a house, everything I know is hypothetical or assumed. To understand God's Word, one must first know God's Son (John 1:1) otherwise Scripture will be like trying to read stereo instructions in a different language.
We can now see some hints as to the author's (or at least his main character's) beliefs toward Scripture. For us, God's Word is His greatest revelation to the church-age. It is His voice to this generation;
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).
I will try to have a post ready for next week, however I will probably be re-deployed this week for Hurricane Ike.
grace and peace,
-josh
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