I have just finished reading The Shack by William Young. The sheer joy of Christ, God, and His Spirit has been more strongly portrayed in this book than in any other book I have read in my entire life. I praise and adore our great God and Savior, Jesus the Savior of the universe, for this book, and may God bless and build up William Young, a marvelous creation and instrument of our Father.
http://theshackbook.com/index.html
Please, do not fear for me. The truth enclosed within The Shack is only there because God has allowed Scripture to be studied and expressed in the novel. It is William Young's belief of what Scripture says, and on much or all of it, I believe I agree. And I don't add this paragraph to be a safe and sound Christian, "secure" form the criticism of my fellow brothers and sisters. I say this because it is the truth. Young likely would have never written The Shack without having first read the Bible. But I also don't want anyone to come to the view that the Bible should be given a "Oooohhh, holy Bible" status. Though Scripture is a wholly-truthful inspiration from God, it is not salvation, and it doesn't grant salvation. Any appreciation or joy we receive from Scripture should not ever--for even a nanosecond--be attributed to the Bible, a physical book. Thanks should be given to God, the Creator of the book, of our joy, of our appreciation, of our emotions, of all being and existence.
Though Now We Weep
10 years ago
Why shouldn't the Bible be given a "oooh, holy Bible" status? It's more than just an inspired book; it's the word of God by which everything else must be tested.
ReplyDelete"Oooh, holy Bible" status . . . let's see. How to explain. It's easy for us to elevate the Bible above God. That's basically what I mean. I have an uncle who has said that he thinks too many Christians worship the Bible. This is why I say "oooh" status. We should never allow ourselves to believing that the Bible is necessary to salvation, because it isn't. God saved people before there was a Bible, so He can do it now. My quotation mark statement is written so that Christians remember to get wrapped up in God's love, which we can learn about in Scriptures but which doesn't come form Scripture. Thought the Bible is a wondrous instrument (possibly the number one instrument) for drawing people to a relationship with God, the Bible is glorious and should be cherished as a precious gift, but never should we cherish the gift above the Gift-giver. Do I make sense?
ReplyDeleteYeah, that makes a lot more sense.
ReplyDelete