Lately I've been on a weird book kick. Usually I'm content to read whatever I find at the library. But the past month or so I've been bored with the norm. I want a book that's going to change my way of thinking, or challenge me to look at the world in a different way. I want a book that will make me think. I'm tired of books that I read and forget. There is so much of that out there. I want a book like "My Sister's Keeper" which challenged me to consider what I personally think is "right". Or maybe another book like "A Child Called It" or "The Best Little Girl in the World" Both which opened up my world to abuse and eating disorders. I guess I'm tired of the mindless and just wandering into a library and picking a book off the shelf and finding one that challenges me is tricky to find. (I will take any suggestions you might have)
When I was in Colorado on my mission, I met this woman named Bridgette. We started teaching her the gospel and she was open to our message. One thing she shared with us was that if we had come a few months ago she would not have been open to listening to us. But she read this book called "The Shack" and it opened her heart to God and she was wanting to find him in her life.
Somehow I was able to remember the title of this book. I don't know how, this conversation occurred almost two and a half years ago (Has it really been that long?). I went to the PG library and to my surprise the library had it! So I checked it out and started reading. I've finished it and it's made me think enough that I now have to blog about it just to get all the thoughts out of my head!
The basic story line of this story is about a man named Mack. He is a father of five children and happily married. One day he and his children go camping in the woods and through a series of events his youngest daughter is kidnapped by a serial killer. The only think anyone was able to find was her bloodstained dress in a shack further into the woods. Mack blames himself and God and "The Great Sadness" descends upon him. A few years after Missy's disappearance he recieves a note from God telling him that God will meet him at the shack. Despite his misgivings on returning to the place of Missy's death he returns. God is indeed there and through a series of conversations and events Mack learns of God's love and where is God in this horrible world. Eventually he finds closure and peace about Missy and his life.
It was quite the book. It sure made me think. It was very complex. Like trying to understand Bruce R. McConkie doctrine complex. I think part of my problem is while I've heard of other Christian doctrines I've never really had them explained to me in the depth and detail as they are in this book. With my LDS background, they certainly are very foreign and new. I'd have to read the book a few time I think to really grasp what is being taught as well as I'd like. But I'm not sure I can read this book a few times. Its very liberal Christianity I might add, and there are a few doctrinal points I must argue. However I don't feel that the author is trying to prove his point or even really convert the reader to his way of thinking. I honestly do think he is merely trying to express what he believes God is like. Ok no more apologizing I'm just going to write what I think!
Among all the different ideas, there were two things that really struck me. One was where Mack is talking with Jesus about how man tends to worry about the future. He fears the 'what might happen' and lacks trust in God that things will turn out ok. He then asks Jesus why he has so much fear. The response is "Because you don't believe. You don't know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love." (pg 142)
That really struck me. Possibly in part I have my own fears about the future that I occasionally wrestle with. What is being taught here is simply that God the Father and the Savior truly do love us. They know what's best for us, and they try to give it to us. They know what things we need to experience to become more like Them. But sometimes we let our fears get in the way of that. We doubt if we relinquish control of our lives to Them that they will take care of us. Its in that trust that we can find courage and hope to face the trials that come our way. We can have a brightness of hope. (2 Nephi 31:20)
The next one was really intriguing. In this part Mack is talking with God and it is pointed out that there are differences between God and Mack, and in some ways Mack truly doesn't understand who God is or even really what He is like. God then goes on to explain this "The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn't much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I'm not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think." (pg 98)
That got me really thinking. Do we sometimes when we think of God as merely a better version of ourselves? That he will see things as we will? He will sympathize with our hurts and be angry with those we are. In essence do we make him into who we want Him to be and to act as we want Him to, and then are angry when he doesn't? I think sometimes we forget how much more He is, and understands that us. He isn't merely just a better version of us, even though we are made in His image, but He is more than we know. But we can come to know him. While our ways are not his ways nor our thoughts His thoughts, we can come to know Him as he really is. It takes work though, we must reach out to Him. As we take steps to getting to know him through sincere prayer and scripture study, He will reach out to us and meet us halfway. We can know Him!
So what I've shared beyond the quotes are more my thoughts that the book lead me to. I'm fairly certain that the author would disagree with something that I posted, but then there is much I disagree with what he wrote. He does have a God that is without gender, who does appear as a woman throughout most of this book, the Holy Ghost is female to. However both can become a male if needed. Sorry, God is a Male. Period. I was sad to read about his portrayal of the fall. It was as if it were a great tragedy. Then the Savior was a response to the fall, not as we believe (and know!) that it was a plan made before 'the foundations of the world' and the fall was part of God's plan to bring us back to him. It had to happen. There was no other way. I think what got me were two things at the end. The author has Jesus kind of go on this rant about organized religion basically (no wonder a bunch of pastors are upset with this book). Granted the Savior did say to Joseph Smith that "They draw near unto me with their lips but their hearts are far from me". But then it goes on to say you don't need religion to come back to Christ. I wouldn't have minded it so much if he hadn't included Mormons at the end. Christ set up a church "upon this rock will I build my Church" referring to Peter and then Christ promises that he will give Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Christ will have His Church, one headed by him and His authority. It's not that all roads lead to heaven, or live your life and Jesus will find you. You have to be part of His church, and that church is here on the earthy. Christ clearly set up a formal church with leaders. Why else do we have the Acts and all afterwards?
This combined with what was taught a few chapters later about the reason God gave us commandments was what really got me going. If I understand right, it was so that we would try to obey them, fall short and realize we can't do it. Then we turn to Christ and have a relationship with Him and are freed from the commandments.
"Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your won. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently... But how can you clean your face with the same mirror that show you how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That's why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you- so it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands -Thou shall not...- actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you... But keep in mid if you live independently, the promise is empty. Jesus laid the demand of the law to rest; it no longer has any power to accuse or command. Jesus is both the promise and the fulfillment."
That really didn't sit well with me. Yes, the law was fulfilled but that was the law of Moses and the new law requiring a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" was put into place. But that did not eliminate us from our accountability for the life which we live. John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. We are not exempt from living a Christ-like life. We have to keep his commandments. The point of Christ's Atonement was to make up for where we lack, but we must do our part.
Ok that's probably plenty. I didn't mean to go on a rant about that. Like I said, it hit a nerve. I do believe the author is trying to share that God is out there and He loves and cares about us. I do believe part of this life is a test to see if we will hear the voice of God and follow it. If we will do what His will is for us, it will lead us back to him.
Reading this book has made me so grateful to have the Gospel in my life. I'm so glad that I am able to develop my own relationship with the Lord and to understand Him. This book opened my eyes to how much confusion about who God is and His purpose. I'm glad to have Prophets on the earth to clarify His teachings and to point us to Him. I am blessed.
I won't call this book evil as some have, it has lead at least one person to the Lord. Would I recommend it? I'm not sure. Its not a book I would say to read if you are looking to know God. You'd be better off reading His words and the words of the prophets. There you will find His spirit to touch and guide you. I didn't feel much of His spirit as I read The Shack. If you want to know more of what other beliefs are out there, then this would certainly do that. But don't let it shake your testimony. There is much that is misleading in it. But I sure did get what I wanted. A book that made me think... Now on to the next one! Whenever I do find it :)
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