Comments on: Slightly OT: The Shack and Gloria Gaither http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music Wed, 23 May 2012 11:46:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Rick Hynek http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-1126452 Rick Hynek Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:54:01 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-1126452 I've read the book with an open mind but found it's theology not just disturbing but extremely dangerous. I deem it to be a cross between the "emergent church" and New Age. Although Mack talks at length with each member of the Trinity, Satan or evil is not mentioned (in its proper context anyway). Jesus tells us he's not into Christianity and we never really know why he had to die. The heart of the Gospel is absent! The sad thing is that, although some say that the book is only fiction, people who do not know the Bible, including many Christians, take it as Christian theology. I’ve read the book with an open mind but found it’s theology not just disturbing but extremely dangerous. I deem it to be a cross between the “emergent church” and New Age. Although Mack talks at length with each member of the Trinity, Satan or evil is not mentioned (in its proper context anyway). Jesus tells us he’s not into Christianity and we never really know why he had to die. The heart of the Gospel is absent! The sad thing is that, although some say that the book is only fiction, people who do not know the Bible, including many Christians, take it as Christian theology.

]]> By: Don Blosser http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-1030251 Don Blosser Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:59:46 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-1030251 Just curious if, a year and a half later, Diva0427 is capable of seeing just how ridiculous her comments are. She said of the Shack, "Don’t look at it as a theological study or anything about that. It is a fictional account of one man’s encounter with the Trinity. However, though it is categorized as “Christian fiction”, it is based completely on scriptures." Huh???? Not theological but based completely on the scriptures? And page after page of dialog coming out of "God's" mouth but none of it has the slightest theological implication?! No offense but either you are not very bright or you don't think that any of us are. I mean, Where in the scriptures do you find a Jesus who clumsily drops things? And where in the Bible does it say that God doesn't need to punish sin or that Jesus never died for our sins? Oh, and that murder isn't really all that bad (didn't you notice that "Papa" never got around to talking to Mack about giving rat poison to his dad). No biggee, minor point, right? Huh? HUH??? Just curious if, a year and a half later, Diva0427 is capable of seeing just how ridiculous her comments are. She said of the Shack, “Don’t look at it as a theological study or anything about that. It is a fictional account of one man’s encounter with the Trinity. However, though it is categorized as “Christian fiction”, it is based completely on scriptures.”

Huh???? Not theological but based completely on the scriptures? And page after page of dialog coming out of “God’s” mouth but none of it has the slightest theological implication?! No offense but either you are not very bright or you don’t think that any of us are. I mean, Where in the scriptures do you find a Jesus who clumsily drops things? And where in the Bible does it say that God doesn’t need to punish sin or that Jesus never died for our sins? Oh, and that murder isn’t really all that bad (didn’t you notice that “Papa” never got around to talking to Mack about giving rat poison to his dad). No biggee, minor point, right? Huh? HUH???

]]> By: Dick Hardin http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-569152 Dick Hardin Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:49:22 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-569152 Solace, do you realize that the Gospels were not taken down by a court reporter? They were passed along orally and written down later. Thus, your argument falls apart. You can't pass a story from one side of a room to the other without it changing. And...haven't you noticed all of the translations of the New Testament? Not to mention the languages. Oh...I'll bet you thought that the disciples took notes as Jesus was talking and they no doubt wrote it down in King James English, bless God. Solace, do you realize that the Gospels were not taken down by a court reporter? They were passed along orally and written down later. Thus, your argument falls apart. You can’t pass a story from one side of a room to the other without it changing. And…haven’t you noticed all of the translations of the New Testament? Not to mention the languages. Oh…I’ll bet you thought that the disciples took notes as Jesus was talking and they no doubt wrote it down in King James English, bless God.

]]> By: tangie http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-569141 tangie Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:41:19 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-569141 Oh by the way... the beloved gospel of John was almost left out of the Bible altogether due to its gnostic tone. Oh by the way… the beloved gospel of John was almost left out of the Bible altogether due to its gnostic tone.

]]> By: tangie http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-569133 tangie Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:39:17 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-569133 solace 61: do you not know how our Bible (canon) was put together? There were many books of the Bible that leaders of the early century church felt did not need to be canonized. Some of these books didn't make the cut just because they repeated other books and some because (at the time) there wasn't enough documentation to prove their validity. If the Bible were to be "recanoized" today, I have a feeling some of the books would be added due to discoveries of other manuscripts etc... I think our Roman Catholic brethen were correct in adding the Apocrypha. If you have never read them, I suggest you do. It is great reading w/lots of helpful insights. solace 61:

do you not know how our Bible (canon) was put together? There were many books of the Bible that leaders of the early century church felt did not need to be canonized. Some of these books didn’t make the cut just because they repeated other books and some because (at the time) there wasn’t enough documentation to prove their validity.

If the Bible were to be “recanoized” today, I have a feeling some of the books would be added due to discoveries of other manuscripts etc…

I think our Roman Catholic brethen were correct in adding the Apocrypha. If you have never read them, I suggest you do. It is great reading w/lots of helpful insights.

]]> By: Joe http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535627 Joe Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:44:29 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535627 apathetic- Not sure who you've been listening to, or what you've been studying. Referring to the OT, Paul reminded the Corinthians that "all these things were written for examples, and our learning..." (1 Cor. 10:11), and numerous, literally hundreds of OT illustrations, types, structures, sacrifices, colors, etc. are there to further amplify the manifold beauties of the Lord Jesus. In addition, some of the passages in the OT are quoted numerous times in the NT. For example, Isaiah 53 is quoted over 85 times in the NT. Jesus quotes from over half the books of the OT. "Irrelevant?" Who here even hinted that? apathetic-

Not sure who you’ve been listening to, or what you’ve been studying. Referring to the OT, Paul reminded the Corinthians that “all these things were written for examples, and our learning…” (1 Cor. 10:11), and numerous, literally hundreds of OT illustrations, types, structures, sacrifices, colors, etc. are there to further amplify the manifold beauties of the Lord Jesus.

In addition, some of the passages in the OT are quoted numerous times in the NT. For example, Isaiah 53 is quoted over 85 times in the NT. Jesus quotes from over half the books of the OT.

“Irrelevant?” Who here even hinted that?

]]> By: solace http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535460 solace Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:06:22 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535460 The Old Testament is full of God working, and a showing of history. It showed a need for a Savior. It's the preface to the real thing - the New Testament. No less important, but the New Testament is the guide. Follow that, and no "lost book" that does or doesn't exist will affect your eternal destination. The Old Testament is full of God working, and a showing of history. It showed a need for a Savior. It’s the preface to the real thing - the New Testament.

No less important, but the New Testament is the guide. Follow that, and no “lost book” that does or doesn’t exist will affect your eternal destination.

]]> By: apathetic http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535245 apathetic Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:33:02 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535245 I guess someone got it wrong in the past since our Bible includes an Old Testament and it is irrelevant now, huh? I guess someone got it wrong in the past since our Bible includes an Old Testament and it is irrelevant now, huh?

]]> By: Jim2 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535177 Jim2 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:10:08 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535177 apathetic, Perhaps you can force yourself to cast just one pearl before all us swine. Would you mind sharing one of the "great spiritual truths" that you have gleaned from any of the books that is now missing from our modern day Bible? I'd be interested to hear some of your insight. apathetic,
Perhaps you can force yourself to cast just one pearl before all us swine.
Would you mind sharing one of the “great spiritual truths” that you have gleaned from any of the books that is now missing from our modern day Bible?
I’d be interested to hear some of your insight.

]]> By: solace http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535161 solace Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:56:37 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535161 The New Testament as we know it today has not been changed throughout history and that's all that matters. End of story. Rev. 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Let's not add to the book, people. The New Testament as we know it today has not been changed throughout history and that’s all that matters. End of story.

Rev.
18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Let’s not add to the book, people.

]]> By: Joe http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535153 Joe Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:53:20 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535153 apathetic- Your point that the "Jewish Bible" (really the OT with Apocrypha) was the Bible Jesus "read", is as moot a point as one can argue. He didn't need to read the word; He WAS the Word. He came to usher in an entire NEW Testament, written by His blood. The books and epistles not yet written, were added to exactly what God wanted from what had been written before. The entire canon of Scripture (both Jewish OT and NT as we now know it), is enough, and nothing is lacking. If it is not enough for you that the books of Enoch, Esdras, Judith, Tobit, Bel and the Dragon etc. are not in your Bible, then I feel sorry for you. John himself said that enough HAD been written, for all the world to believe that the Lord Jesus was exactly Who He said He was. And He knew Jesus better than any man who has ever lived. apathetic-

Your point that the “Jewish Bible” (really the OT with Apocrypha) was the Bible Jesus “read”, is as moot a point as one can argue.

He didn’t need to read the word; He WAS the Word.

He came to usher in an entire NEW Testament, written by His blood. The books and epistles not yet written, were added to exactly what God wanted from what had been written before.

The entire canon of Scripture (both Jewish OT and NT as we now know it), is enough, and nothing is lacking.

If it is not enough for you that the books of Enoch, Esdras, Judith, Tobit, Bel and the Dragon etc. are not in your Bible, then I feel sorry for you.

John himself said that enough HAD been written, for all the world to believe that the Lord Jesus was exactly Who He said He was. And He knew Jesus better than any man who has ever lived.

]]> By: apathetic http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535092 apathetic Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:56:07 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535092 Listen Solace, the point was the Bible we read today is missing books that the original had in it. Of course I wasn't there when Jesus read the Septuagint. Neither was I there when Abraham Lincoln was assasinated, but that doesn't change the fact that history has recorded it that way. Historically the Septuagint was the common Jewish Bible at the time of Jesus. So, that is what He read. Facts are Facts. Get over it. Yes the New Testament applies today. That wasn't the point. The point was the Bible as we read it today has changed throughout history. Listen Solace, the point was the Bible we read today is missing books that the original had in it. Of course I wasn’t there when Jesus read the Septuagint. Neither was I there when Abraham Lincoln was assasinated, but that doesn’t change the fact that history has recorded it that way. Historically the Septuagint was the common Jewish Bible at the time of Jesus. So, that is what He read. Facts are Facts. Get over it. Yes the New Testament applies today. That wasn’t the point. The point was the Bible as we read it today has changed throughout history.

]]> By: solace http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535037 solace Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:12:50 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-535037 apathetic, how would you know exactly what "Bible" Jesus read from? Were you there? And aren't you forgetting that the New Testament came AFTER Jesus? Isn't that what applies to us TODAY? Uhhh - YES! Get your head out of the sand in case God comes back and passes you by because he thinks you're an ostrich apathetic, how would you know exactly what “Bible” Jesus read from? Were you there?

And aren’t you forgetting that the New Testament came AFTER Jesus? Isn’t that what applies to us TODAY?

Uhhh - YES! Get your head out of the sand in case God comes back and passes you by because he thinks you’re an ostrich

]]> By: apathetic http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-533361 apathetic Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:18:10 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-533361 Blake, I'm done with this thread as Pearls before Swine comes to mind. You are the one who has some studying to do. The Septuagint WAS the Bible read in the time of Jesus. I am not talking the other "lost" books. It proves my point that the INTERPRETATION of the bible we have today does not contain all of the same books that were in the Bible that Jesus himself read and studied. Look it up, ask a Jew. Blake,

I’m done with this thread as Pearls before Swine comes to mind. You are the one who has some studying to do. The Septuagint WAS the Bible read in the time of Jesus. I am not talking the other “lost” books. It proves my point that the INTERPRETATION of the bible we have today does not contain all of the same books that were in the Bible that Jesus himself read and studied. Look it up, ask a Jew.

]]> By: JW http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-533051 JW Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:22:00 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/06/25/slightly-ot-the-shack-and-gloria-gaither/#comment-533051 Wow, wow, wow. Reading some of these, my main thought is we as the church family need to make Bible history and education one of our top priorities. It's simply amazing reading some of the things here. If you are so diligent in reading "The Shack", may I recommend "Reinventing Jesus" by Ed Komoszewski? Reading about Bible history is a passion of mine. OK, if anyone wants to read "The Shack", fine. But, at least put in some time to find out what we believe and why. Just a little time spent on Bible history will show how awesomely trustworthy our Bible truly is, how utterly diligent the early church was in making sure it was true history and not forgeries, how the Bible actually came to be, and the truth about the so called "lost books" and such and why they were not included in The Bible. Don't believe me! Read and study for yourself. Wow, wow, wow.

Reading some of these, my main thought is we as the church family need to make Bible history and education one of our top priorities. It’s simply amazing reading some of the things here.

If you are so diligent in reading “The Shack”, may I recommend “Reinventing Jesus” by Ed Komoszewski? Reading about Bible history is a passion of mine.

OK, if anyone wants to read “The Shack”, fine. But, at least put in some time to find out what we believe and why. Just a little time spent on Bible history will show how awesomely trustworthy our Bible truly is, how utterly diligent the early church was in making sure it was true history and not forgeries, how the Bible actually came to be, and the truth about the so called “lost books” and such and why they were not included in The Bible.

Don’t believe me! Read and study for yourself.

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