The Shack Discussion Group

The Shack is a fictional story about a man, Mack, whose daughter was brutally killed several years before. Since that time, Mack has gone through the Great Sadness. One day, he receives an invitation in the mail to meet Papa (his wife’s favorite name for God) at the shack, the scene of the crime. The book is about his interactions with the three persons of the Trinity.

Some people love it, some people hate it. Some think it’s a great way to start thinking about theology and questions like how can a loving God allow suffering? Others think it’s poor theology and shouldn’t be read.

On Sunday June 21 and 28 at 6pm, Centerville First Presbyterian Church is having a book discussion. If you’re interested in attending or have questions, let me know.

Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, doesn't like The Shack. He says if you haven't read it, don't. In his sermon on the doctrine of the Trinity, he tells you why he thinks it's poor theology. Here's a clip:



Sometimes it's very helpful to look at what other people believe with so that we can discover what we believe. Let's look at some of Driscoll's major complaints about the book:

First, he says that the book breaks one of the Ten Commandments: do not make a graven image of God. Some people believe, as Driscoll does, that The Shack makes a graven image of God the Father by describing "him" as an African-American woman. But there's another way to look at it. We all have images in our minds of what God is like, some from movies, others from books, some even from the Bible itself. The Bible has many word pictures of God: rock, shepherd, cloud, fire. This opens up a great discussion about what it means to create a "graven image."

Second, Driscoll says picturing God as a woman is "Goddess worship." Others believe that it's important to have feminine images for God to balance our overly male depiction of God. There are even several feminine images of God in the Bible itself. We can discusss whether "Father" is the only appropriate way to address God.

Third, Driscoll disagrees with the book's idea that there is no hierarchy in the Trinity. He says there is equality but deference. But does that come close to the heresy of subordinationism, where the Son is subordinate to the Father or the Holy Spirit is subordinate to both? Is it possible to have relationships where there is no hierarchy? Is hierarchy a good thing or a bad thing? How does our culture's acceptance of hierarchy play into our beliefs about God?

So what do you think?

Good, faithful Christians come to different conclusions about the Bible and theology. First Presbyterian Church values the discussion and encourages people of all beliefs to voice their opinions and learn from one another. Come, join the conversation!