The Shack

[Thomas Trini]

Originally Posted by DerrickS

The good outweighs the bad in the book. Oneness is heretical too, apparently; but by whose standard? "The Shack" is an interpretation - a fictionalization - that does nothing more than attempt to provide a relatable connection to God. If you are trying to use it as a doctrinal roadmap, then you will be disappointed. JMHO.

But the author uses very racist stereotypes in order to convey his message, and two of the three members of the Godhead are women, so you can't say it's one mode of the same person/God within the Godhead. Is Jesus both male and female. Of course, this is a fight which Trinitarians are having with more liberal members of their "brothers" in the faith. I might not accept the Oneness doctrine, but at least they (Oneness Pentecostals) haven't gone so far as to make their Godhead male AND female.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by Thomas Trini

But the author uses very racist stereotypes in order to convey his message, and two of the three members of the Godhead are women, so you can't say it's one mode of the same person/God within the Godhead. Is Jesus both male and female. Of course, this is a fight which Trinitarians are having with more liberal members of their "brothers" in the faith. I might not accept the Oneness doctrine, but at least they (Oneness Pentecostals) haven't gone so far as to make their Godhead male AND female.

What do YOU think? Is God male? or is he female? Where is the scripture that talks about there being male nor female in heaven? Or about neither marrying nor giving in marriage in heaven? If this is true, then what does that say about God?

I'm not telling you what to believe. I'm not even sure what I think about it. And honestly, I don't think it's a heaven or hell issue.

Which is why I really didn't have a problem with the author portraying God as a woman in this book

[Thomas Trini]

Originally Posted by Margies3

What do YOU think? Is God male? or is he female? Where is the scripture that talks about there being male nor female in heaven? Or about neither marrying nor giving in marriage in heaven? If this is true, then what does that say about God?

I'm not telling you what to believe. I'm not even sure what I think about it. And honestly, I don't think it's a heaven or hell issue.

Which is why I really didn't have a problem with the author portraying God as a woman in this book

Scripture uses the male pronoun in referring to God and Jesus was male. Trinitarians who use the female pronoun, and call God "mother" are running into problems with the authority of scripture. It's also affected church membership, as many who call God mother are seeing huge drops in their attendance, which affects tithes and a whole host of other things.

[SOUNWORTHY]

Originally Posted by Margies3

What do YOU think? Is God male? or is he female? Where is the scripture that talks about there being male nor female in heaven? Or about neither marrying nor giving in marriage in heaven? If this is true, then what does that say about God?

I'm not telling you what to believe. I'm not even sure what I think about it. And honestly, I don't think it's a heaven or hell issue.

Which is why I really didn't have a problem with the author portraying God as a woman in this book

God isn't female because he doesn't change his mind all the time.!!

[TheRationalist]

Of primary importance is remembering it is a novel not a theological treatise on the godhead.

Closely following is the fact the author never attempted to portray God the Father as a female.

The clear language was that God's appearance as an elderly black female was solely because that was what would give the protagonist the most comfort at that time. If I recall He was actually portrayed as an elderly male by the end of the book.