You Asked for It 2009 part 5

“This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' did for his. It's that good!” ~ Eugene Peterson “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' did for his. It's that good!” ~ Eugene Peterson

“The Shack is the most absorbing work of fiction I’ve read in many years. My wife & I laughed, cried and repented of our own lack of faith along the way. The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God.” ~ Michael W. Smith “The Shack is the most absorbing work of fiction I’ve read in many years. My wife & I laughed, cried and repented of our own lack of faith along the way. The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God.” ~ Michael W. Smith

It diminishes God POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” ~ Exodus 20:4-5 (NIV) “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” ~ Exodus 20:4-5 (NIV)

“But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” ~ Exodus 33:20 (NLT) “But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” ~ Exodus 33:20 (NLT)

To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him? ~ Isaiah 40:18 (NLT) To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him? ~ Isaiah 40:18 (NLT)

It puts words in God’s mouth POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

“But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death." ~ Deuteronomy 18:20 (NIV) “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death." ~ Deuteronomy 18:20 (NIV)

It minimizes community POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

“…Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” ~ Matthew 16:16-18 (NLT) “…Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” ~ Matthew 16:16-18 (NLT)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another… ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another… ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold

their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity… ~ Acts 2:42-46 (NLT) their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity… ~ Acts 2:42-46 (NLT)

It dismisses God’s justice POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. ~ Psalm 94:1-2 (NLT) O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. ~ Psalm 94:1-2 (NLT)

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. ~ Romans 12:19-20 (NLT) Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. ~ Romans 12:19-20 (NLT)

It denies God’s expectations of us POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

…The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 3:8 (NLT) …The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 3:8 (NLT)

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. … Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit

renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. ~ Ephesians 4:17,21-24 (NLT) renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. ~ Ephesians 4:17,21-24 (NLT)

It misrepresents the birth and death of Jesus POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. ~ John 1:14 (NLT) So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. ~ John 1:14 (NLT)

It recognizes other paths to God POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” ~ John 14:6 (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” ~ John 14:6 (NLT)

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT) For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” ~ Acts 4:12 (NLT) “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” ~ Acts 4:12 (NLT)

It teaches that faith is not rational POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH “THE SHACK”

“There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually irrational, but it is surely not rational.” ~ The Shack “There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually irrational, but it is surely not rational.” ~ The Shack

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. ~ Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. ~ Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ~ 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ~ 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Watch your life and doctrine closely. ~ 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV) Watch your life and doctrine closely. ~ 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

You Asked for It 2009 part 5