Spilt Wine

So, I read the Shack last weekend. If you haven’t read it, you might want to skip this blog post. Here is my book report:

What I liked about the Shack.
I think my favorite chapter was the Cave of Judgment. For me, it really drove home the “Don’t Judge lest you be judged yourself” instruction by Jesus. (The whole you cant take a speck out or your brother’s eye when you have a log in yours) I also think the book was a great way to explain and answer the age old question, if there is a God, why is there so much evil in the world.” (If anyone ever asks me that question, I will have them read the book) I also appreciate the author’s drive and passion for grace. I understand now why the story had a child molested and murdered by a child serial killer. That crime by our worldly standards is unforgivable and deserves death! Yet, the author reminds the reader that God’s grace is big enough for even the unspeakable transgressions. Over all, I thought it was a good story.

What I didn’t care for was the author’s characterization of Jesus and God. I can appreciate the author’s attempt to get the reader to see God and the Trinity in a different light and perhaps challenge us to break out of our molded preconceptions about God, and Jesus, but I cant see God as a Large black women who cooks and bakes all of the time. I get that God is non-gender, but that was a little bit of a stretch for me. And I cant bring myself to call God “Papa” That annoyed me for some reason. I didn’t care for Jesus’ characterization either. He appeared too soft to me. I envision Jesus stronger than he was portrayed in the book. Perhaps, God, Jesus and the Spirit are who you need them to be. For me, I need them to be stronger and a little more formal than the author's characterization.

Mostly what the book did for me was get me thinking more about the Holy Spirit. I am actually looking for a good book to read about the Holy Spirit. I think as Christians, we tend to focus more on God the father and Jesus, with out giving much though about the Holy Ghost, when in fact, as the book pointed out, is an active participant of the Trinity and is just as important as the God, and Jesus. When I think of the Holy Spirit, I think of the Upper-room story in Acts (speaking in tongues), Creation in Genesis ( God's presence in the void and over the waters) and the Baptism of Jesus (the dove that descended). I look forward to reading more about the Spirit, as I realized, I really don’t know a whole lot about it. Maybe if I learn more about the Spirit, I will become more aware of its movement and prompting in my life.

So, what did you get from the book?

I like how my sponsor closes when ever he speaks at A.A. meeting or an event. He says: " God reveals himself to me through all of you. You are beautiful stain glass windows that God shines his light through"