I have a tendency to be very private and shy about my Faith and my spirituality. For one thing, I have yet to actually define it and for another, my beliefs are wholly unique compared to any that I have heard of as yet and I don't wish to debate them. However, recently I have begun to delve a little deeper and I have even been attending church in an effort to make better sense of my relationship with God. During a conversation with a friend about my new efforts, she recommended that I read The Shack and although I kind of brushed the suggestion to the side at first, I eventually saw a copy on sale at Walmart. Since I have a very difficult time controlling my urge to buy books, I went ahead and purchased it. I finally read it this past weekend and I have to say that I have mixed feelings.
First of all, it was kind of slow going for me at points because it is such a mellow, paced type of story. It also delves into things of which I am uncertain, so it did cause me to stop and do some thinking. I was impressed because on most levels The Shack totally reinforced my way of thinking and my confidence in my beliefs. However, on the other hand, I wonder what made the author so confident as to define God the way that he did in his novel. What makes him "know" when so many have to use church to follow? I do agree with him, but if I take a step back from sharing the opinion, I have to wonder if he is being a little presumptuous.
I think it is perfectly fine to have beliefs that have been defined through whatever process the believer has been through. As previously stated, my beliefs are 100% unique. If I ever meet anyone with the same set, I will pass out. However, I am not going to publish a book about my definition of God. For one thing, because this book has influenced so many people and brought insight to so many. What if he is wrong? If I am, at least the only person I have slighted is myself. If this author is wrong, he has slighted a lot of people. The Shack was published as a work of fiction, however that doesn't change the fact that even works of fiction can change or sway people. And I have a hard time just taking this novel, written by an ordinary man, and not finding it a little bit arrogant of him to define God in such a way. Even if I do think he paints a great picture, makes valid points, and reinforces my own opinion.
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have not read this book...am just wondering if it is a liberal religious tale or one that is bible thumping for the alleged Jehovah....I have no faith as an Atheist but I find many many people who believe in an alleged deity of love & heavenly hopes, while I rarely dialogue with believers in a punishing or war like deity...I'm an escort at the abortion clinic where dozens of religious fanatics terrorize women with their incompetent shouts of "murderer" when of course they do not read their bibles where it is pro-violent abrtion in Hosea & 2 Kings & Amos...my two daughters are both free of the alleged deity fears... my peace friends are Quakers, Catholic Workers & pacific folks committed to a secular nation of private freedom from government forced icons or beliefs....I found Molly on my Twitter 843-926-1750
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