Going to See The Shack

About a decade ago, when The Shack the book came out, it was pretty much universally slammed by “the church.” It was viewed as  inconsistent with scripture and main stream theology. The movie is out this month and it’s being proclaimed a tool for evangelism. What changed?

Apparently the movie isn’t the book. Check out the outreach.com statement.  However, I think the world and “the church” have both changed in 10 years. The world is much less “Christian” and the church is much less “orthodox.” That’s too much a subject for a blog. It would take a book to fully discuss that.

I’m going to see the movie and I have my reasons.

It’s topical.  People I love, people I know, and people I want to reach for Jesus are all going to see the movie. I want to be able to discuss it intelligently and accurately.

I’m open.  I am open to fresh perspectives about God.  Please don’t excommunicate me or demand I return my “Follower of Jesus” credentials. I still believe Jesus is the only way. I am just open. I don’t know everything there is to know about God and I don’t know anyone who does. There are many aspects of God I would love to learn about. 

I’m practical.  I have seen lots of movies and read lots of books that were not theologically correct or biblically based. I enjoyed many of them. I think I can sort out what is true. I can still be moved by many things. 

I’m missional. I want to reach people for Jesus. I want to make disciples. I am not willing to discredit any possible tool or path without checking it out. 

I like popcorn, milk duds and Coke Icees.  Okay so this one isn’t so important, but I provide it in the spirit of full disclosure.

I’ll let you know what I think after I see the movie. That will put me way ahead of those who are praising it and those condemning it and who haven’t seen it. I like to be out front.