Barry Amundsen (4 Nov 2013)
"I appreciate concerns over The Shack but A Land Unknown answers concerns"

 

Hi Barry and others

Well said, Barry - support your description of "The Shack" wholeheartedly - well spoken and so humbly too.  When someone suggested I read this book, she warned me there were those "for" and "against".

 

The author of The Shack was invited to a major Christian festival in New Zealand not so long ago - the "fors" among the Christian community obviously won - am so pleased they did. 

 

Also I recently saw an interview on TV with the man (William Paul Young), conducted at the time of his visit to this country.  Lovely man!  (Sure hope that doesn't prompt someone to say, "Just because he is lovely, that doesn't make it good!" 

 

I saw Jesus in that man and found that the book certainly honours and glorifies God.   I did not see the "evil" that others purport to see - and do not believe it is there. 

 

The book encourages a very personal relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, transcending living under the law (of Moses) and our own understanding and opinions - to being led day by day under the Law of the Holy Spirit, obedient first and foremost to Him - to the only One who can transform us and "change the way we think" to the ways and mind of Jesus. So that Jesus Himself lives His life in us, via the Holy Spirit.   (There are numerous very clear scriptures to support this)

 

At the time John had his revelation of heaven and things "unspeakable" where he wasn't sure whether or not he was "in the flesh" or experiencing some great vision, there would have been many critics - even today!  I can just hear them!  When Jesus travelled the earth, people who thought they knew God complained that Jesus was "possessed by Satan".  Ouch!

 

Maybe for some it takes a tragedy of some kind in one's life - or something that cuts very deeply (and God knows how to do that, for our own eternal benefit) for one to fully appreciate this book - and identify with the grief that this man and his family went through.  The author's only hope was those indescribable everlasting arms, that hold and "cushion" us when no-one else can help us and there is nowhere else to turn.  You know what I mean?  It would take an untouched heart to read this without having deep empathy and without shedding more than one tear.  

 

My summary here  (and these questions are rhetorical and answers scripturally based) .   .   .

Why do those who oppose the book feel the need to warn others not to read it? 

Isn't Jesus sufficient to look after his own? Isn't his protection enough? 

Isn't the real Pastor for each of us the Holy Spirit and shouldn't we be looking to Him for to teach us and encouraging others to do the same?  

Shouldn't we be looking to Him for discernment and trusting Him to pay attention to details for each member (and potential member) of his flock? 

Why do we think that we need to "help" God, when He doesn't ask for it?  

The Almighty is not after our own personal opinions and criticisms - He wants us to express Himself through us.   

He is certainly a God of "originality" and I believe that is expressed so well in the way He has used this author.

God is not concerned about offending people -He does what He does!

 

For those who do not like the book, wouldn't it be best to commit both such a book, and the author, and own concerns to the the Almighty and then trust Him to take take care of all concerned, including those who read it?  There is nothing surer than - He will!  He will!

 

Barry, I am so pleased you posted in support of The Shack!  God bless you!

 

In Christ

Abigail, NZ