I haven't read this book, but it intrigues me. Especially the part about not using Jesus as a model for emulation, but rather appreciating that He already lives through us. That challenged me, and it seems to capture part of the tension between a religious approach to Jesus (past tense - what did Jesus do?) and a relational, living approach to Jesus (present tense - letting His life manifest through me today). Have you read this book? What did you think? Any wisdom to share?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Author of The Shack
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9 comments:
This is a very good book. I am not a fiction reader but this book has some very good insights into the nature of God and our relationship with him. There is some beautiful imagery that provides profound theological insights.
I will refrain from the details because it could spoil the story. It is better to have it unfold as you read.
Thanks, Traveller. I hope to read it soon...
Haven't read it , but it is a really interesting concept and yes, a challenge.
I was thinking about getting the book and now I think I will after hearing the author talk about the purpose of it.
Wouldn't it be cool if most believers actually began to embrace this idea that Jesus is trying to do his will through us?
I think it would be and the world would drastically change.
Thanks for sharing Sarah,
Peace
This is a gret video Sarah!
Haven't read the book but I really like the idea that Jesus already lives through us - it is such an affirming message.. we don't have to get God to come to us.. He is already in us.. we just need to find that place of heart connection.. so hard because we (me) are so inclined to live out of our heads.. and trump our hearts.
Also liked the idea that we often run to either religion or rebellion.. helps many of us parents understand our kids a bit.. as well as ourselves :)
If you want to read more about, as you put it, "relational, living approach to Jesus (present tense - letting His life manifest through me today" I'd strongly recommend Dan Stone's Book, The Rest of the Gospel: When the partial Gospel has worn you you out. I've quoted some of the best parts of this book here:
http://tinyurl.com/6xzdtu
Start at the bottom and read up; it will make more sense! Anyway, it has really freed me up in so many ways!
Thanks for posting this video, Sarah. I had not seen it previously! I read The Shack and really liked it.
Shaun, I think that we are just beginning to see this change and will continue to more and more as God is up to something in His Body at large... It's so good! :)
K-Bob, I think you are right. We often live out of our soul, rather than that place of entering His rest and living from our spirit (where His Spirit resides). Graham Cooke has great teaching on that as well. It's something I am still very much learning to practice daily.
Tracy, thanks so much for the recommendation. I ready your linked posts and they are fantastic. I especially like the first one - reminds me of what a couple of friends of mine call the "humanistic gospel." And the second post, "How do you know." Really, this walk with God is revelatory as He is Spirit. Great thoughts on that, it looks like a really good book. I'll see if my library has a copy (since The Shack has like 38 holds on it!) Thanks again!
I find both messages of WWJD and W(Did)JD true and useful. I don't like it when there's a huge hubbub in the church when sermons and radio shows "argue" theology and don't actually talk together directly. WWJD does make Jesus more present, however, I do understand that it can often be used to make your own decision in Jesus' name. W(Did)JD, I think, simply adresses the need to be a student of the Word and making it applicable.
Thanks Mistab, those are some good thoughts. Ya, even when they do talk together directly, I'm not a big fan of theological arguments. Iron sharpening iron can be very helpful - but only if there's some sort of practical relevance for people who are wanting to learn to live with God. Sometimes, theology gets so divorced from the 'learning to live with God' and that's what I find unhelpful (mere conceptual ideas about God, and an intellectualization of Him). But sometimes, I think it is important to discuss and examine theological issues as they relate to influencing our own way of living life with God. And that's what I found practical about this guy's statements. It made sense to me to look for where Jesus as at work today (through me) rather than trying to imagine what the historical Jesus would have done in my situation. One is emulation, the other is more akin to incarnation... (for lack of a better term - I don't know the proper theological term for being the hands and feet of Jesus toward others). ;)
It's hard to describe the impact this book had when I read it in July 2007.
I don't remember a time when I didn't believe in the existence of God but at the age of 14 I walked away from 'church' because of the 'ridiculous teaching of the trinity'. I've since been attending church regularly for some 50 years without having a faith that I could really share with others. That all changed after reading "The Shack" and being able to share something of the journey of those involved with the publication of the book - and the enormous feedback (both positive and negative).
But why did I have to wait 57 years - and what do I do now?
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