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