I read with interest Pastor Runke's article reviewing the book "The Shack" from this week's edition of the Herald Journal. (Click Herald Journal to read his article)
I have not had the opportunity to read this book although I did read the entire review that Pastor Runke had referenced in his article.
The author of "The Shack" (from what I read) attempts to fictionalize theology that has come out of the Emergent church movement. (for more on the Emergent Church visit http://www.emergentvillage.com/)
I am a pastor of Jacob's Well, a missional house church in Montrose, MN. I find myself sometimes in agreement with the Emergent church and other times I greatly disagree with what is said. Just as I agreed with some of what Tim Challies had to say about the theology in "The Shack" and I also disagreed with some of what Challies has to say about the theology.
To me, what disturbs me is the potential for division in the church. Pastor Runke spoke of one congregation that he knew that had been torn apart by this book... and I am certain that it isn't the only one. Divisions regarding theology are nothing new to the church. All we have to do is look at the Bible and see that even in the very beginnings of the church in Acts we see differing opinions on how to approach theological issues. It still amazes me that 2000 years later humans still are causing division in the church.
Peace,
Pastor Lisa Ellwoods
Jacob's Well
1 comment:
The Shack is a great book, I have a spare copy if you would like me to pop one through your letterbox, let me know.
It's a shame that someone would blame a book for a church falling apart, I would think it was the sinners inside that did that all by themselves. As you say, they've been doing it for thousands of years.
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