1. “The three looked at one another and laughed. Mack couldn’t help but smile. ‘No Mackenzie,’ chuckled the black woman. ‘We is all that you get, and believe me, and we’re more than enough.” (pg. 85) “’Then,’ Mack struggled to ask, ‘which one of you is God?’ ‘I am,’ said all three in unison.” (pg. 87)
“’To begin with, that you can’t grasp the wonder of my nature is rather a good thing. Who wants to worship a God who can be fully comprehended, eh? Not much mystery in that.’
‘But what difference does it make that there are three of you, and you are all one God. Did I say that right?’
‘Right enough.’ She grinned. ‘Mackenzie, it makes all the difference in the world! …We are not three gods, and we are not talking about one god with three attitudes, like a man who is a husband, father, and worker. I am one God and I am three persons, and each of the three is fully and entirely the one. …If I were simply One God and only One Person, then you would find yourself in this Creation without something wonderful, without something essential even. And I would be utterly other than I am.’
‘And we would be without…?’ Mack didn’t even know how to finish the question.
‘Love and relationship. All love and relationship is possible for you only because it already exists within Me, within God myself. Love is not the limitation; love is the flying. I am love.’” (pg.101)
Q. The biblical doctrine of the trinity has been one of the most puzzling for Christians of all generations. (1) There is one and only one God, eternal, immutable. (2) There are three eternal Persons described in Scripture - the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. These Persons are never identified with one another - that is, they are carefully differentiated as Persons. (3) The Father, the Son, and the Spirit, are identified as being fully God. Some have used the example of water – one element that can reveal itself as a liquid, solid, or vapor. Have you wrestled with the concept of the trinity? How have you resolved it in your mind?
Q. This doctrine is important especially as it relates to the nature of Jesus. Many people have tried to claim that he is just a human in spite of passages like Colossians 2:9, “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” In your opinion, why is the Deity of Christ so important?
Q. How does the doctrine of the trinity make ‘all love and relationship possible’ for us?
2. “Keep in mind, Mackenzie, that I am not a human being, not in my very nature, despite how we have chosen to be with you this weekend. I am truly human, in Jesus, but I am totally separate other in my nature.’
‘You do know – of course you do,’ Mack said apologetically – ‘that I can only follow that line of thought so far, and then I get lost and my brain turns to mush?’
‘I understand,’ acknowledged Papa. ‘You cannot see in your mind’s eye something that you cannot experience.’”
Q. When you think about the eternal nature of God – no beginning and no end – or the trinity, or the fact that he is present everywhere at the same time, does your ‘brain turn to mush?’ How comfortable are you with the mysteries of God’s nature?
Q. God spoke to the prophet Isaiah, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) Even our most brilliant discoveries or insights are infinitely less than God’s thoughts. Does this increase your confidence in God? Why or why not?
Q. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.’” (Genesis 1:26-27) The Bible teaches that humans were made in God’s image. How have we humans tried to recreate God in our image?
3. “’Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself – to serve. Humans often do this – in touching the infirm and sick, in serving the ones whose minds have left to wander, in relating to the poor, in loving the very old and the very young, or even in caring for the other who has assumed a position of power over them.’” (pg. 107)
Q. Paul wrote, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11) How did Jesus demonstrate that ‘relationships are never about power?’
Q. Think about your own relationships with family, coworkers, and people at your church. How have you ‘limited yourself to serve?’ Have you ever used your position of power for your own advantage rather than serving the needs of others?
4. “He (Mack) had never seen three people share with such simplicity and beauty. Each seemed more aware of the others than of themself.
‘I love the way you treat each other. It’s certainly not how I expected God to be.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well, I know that you are one and all, and that there are three of you. But you respond with such graciousness to each other. Isn’t one of you more the boss than the other two? I mean,’ Mack hurried on, ‘I have always thought of God the Father as sort of being the boss and Jesus as the one following orders, you know, being obedient. I’m not sure how the Holy Spirit fits in exactly. …a free Spirit, but still under the direction of the Father. Does that make sense?’
Jesus looked over at Papa…’Does that make sense to you, Abba? Frankly, I haven’t a clue what this man is talking about.’
Papa scrunched her face up as if exerting great concentration. ‘Nope, I have been trying to make head or tail out of it, but sorry, he’s got me lost.’
‘You know what I’m talking about.’ Mack was a little frustrated. ‘I’m talking about who’s in charge. Don’t you have a chain of command?’
‘Mackenzie, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any overlay of power. We don’t need power over the other because we are always looking out for the best. Hierarchy would make no sense to us. Actually, this is your problem, not ours.’
‘Really? How so?’
‘Humans are so lost and damaged that to you it is almost incomprehensible that people could work or live together without someone being in charge.’
‘…It’s one reason why experiencing true relationship is so difficult for you,’ Jesus added. ‘Once you have a hierarchy you need rules to protect and administer it, and then you need law and the enforcement of rules, and you end up with some kind of chain of command or a system of order that destroys relationship rather than promotes it. You rarely see or experience relationship apart from power. Hierarchy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.’
Sarayu continued, ‘When you chose independence over relationship, you became a danger to each other. Others became objects to be manipulated or managed for your own happiness. Authority, as you usually think of it, is merely the excuse the strong use to make others conform to what the want.’” (pg. 121-123)
Q. The Bible clearly states that there is a hierarchy of authority. For example, in 1 Corinthians 11:3, the Apostle Paul writes, “I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” How do your reconcile this passage with the claim or Papa that ‘there is no final authority among us?’
Q. Later in the same book, Paul wrote, “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Cor. 15:24-28) We humans are so concerned about who is boss. How does this passage describe God’s approach to authority? How could it inform your relationship to power?
5. “’For now I just want you to be with me and discover that our relationship is not about performance or you having to please me. I’m not a bully, not some self-centered demanding little deity insisting on my own way. I am good, and I desire only what is best for you. You cannot find that through guilt or condemnation or coercion, only through a relationship of love. And I do love you.’” (pg. 126)
Q. Have you ever felt that your relationships with God and others (especially parents) is ‘about performance or having to please’ them?
Q. Paul wrote, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:1-10) How would you explain God’s grace to a child?
Q. Do people ever feel the pressure to perform in their relationship with you? How could your relationships become more ‘grace-filled?’
6. “’…I’m not very good at relationship stuff, not like Nan.’
Jesus…continued. ‘That’s because like most men you find what you think of as fulfillment in your achievements, and Nan, like most women, find it in relationships. It’s more naturally her language.’
‘Does that mean I’m hopeless” I really want what the three of you share, but I have no idea how to get there.’
‘There’s a lot in your way right now, Mack, but you don’t have to keep living with it.’
‘I know that’s truer now that Missy’s gone, but it has never been easy for me.’
‘You’re not just dealing with Missy’s murder. There’s a larger twisting that makes sharing life with us difficult. The world is broken because in Eden you abandoned relationship with us to assert your own independence. Most men have expressed it by turning to the work of their hands and the sweat of their brow to find their identity, value, and security. By choosing to declare what’s good and evil you seek to determine your own destiny. It was this turning that has caused so much pain. But that isn’t all. The woman’s desire – and the word is actually her ‘turning.’ So the woman’s turning was not to the works of her hands but to the man, and his response was to rule ‘over’ her, to take power over her, to become the ruler. Before the choosing, she found her identity, her security, and her understanding of good and evil only in me, as did man.’
‘No wonder I feel like a failure with Nan. I can’t seem to be that for her.’
‘You weren’t made to be. And in trying you’ll only be playing God.’
‘Is there any way out of this?’
‘It is so simple, but never easy for you. By re-turning. By turning back to me. By giving up your ways of power and manipulation and just coming back to me.’ Jesus sounded like he was pleading. ‘Women in general, will find it difficult to turn from a man and stop demanding that he meets their needs, provides security, and protects their identity, and return to me. Men, in general, find it very hard to turn from the works of their hands, their own quests for power and security and significance, and return to me.’ (pg. 146-147)
Q. In Genesis 3:16, God said to the woman, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." How does this make relationships with the opposite sex more difficult?
Q. How does Jesus promise to deliver us from this curse? (See Ephesians 5:21-33)
7. “’You’re talking about the church as this woman you’re in love with; I’m pretty sure I haven’t met her.’ He turned slightly away. ‘She’s not the place I go on Sundays.’
‘Mack, that’s because you’re only seeing the institution, a man-made system. That’s not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and program.’
Mack was a bit taken back to hear Jesus talking about ‘church’ this way, but then again, it didn’t really surprise him. It was a relief. ‘So how do I become part of that church?’ he asked. ‘This woman you seem to be so gaga over.’
‘It’s simple, Mack. It’s all about relationships and simply sharing life. What we are doing right now – just doing this – and being open and available to others around us. My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can’t build it. It’s my job and I’m actually pretty good at it,’ Jesus said with a chuckle.” (pg. 177-178)
Q. How is your relationship with ‘the bride of Christ’ – the church?
Q. Has the church ‘institution’ been a barrier in your relationship with God? If so, how can you connect with ‘the living, breathing community of all those who love Jesus’ in spite of past negative experiences?
Q. How can we make the local churches we attend less of a man-made system and more like the organism that Jesus has in mind?
8. “’Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m (Jesus) not a Christian.’
The idea struck Mack as odd and unexpected and he couldn’t keep himself from grinning. ‘No, I suppose you aren’t.’
‘Those who love me (Jesus) come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some were bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters, into my Beloved.’
‘Does that mean,’ asked Mack, ‘that all roads will lead to you?’
‘Not at all,’ smiled Jesus…’Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.’” (pg. 182)
Q. “It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26) The term means “Christ ones.” It was probably used as a derogatory term – like the phrase “Jesus Freak” today. A recent study (American Religious Identification Survey 2008) showed that the percentage of people who call themselves ‘Christian’ has dropped more than 11% in a generation. The term no longer refers to someone who believes in Jesus. It now has negative political and social ‘baggage’ in some circles. How do you feel about the label ‘Christian?’
Q. It has been said that the two most frequently asked questions in heaven will be “Where is (name)?” and “How did (name) get here?” In Revelation 5:9, the heavenly choir sings, “your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” What is the one thing that all residents of heaven have in common? (See John 5:24)
Q. Some people claim that all sincere people of faith will end up in heaven. Do you agree? Why or why not? (See Acts 4:12)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Meeting “Sophia” – God’s wisdom
1. Mack’s encounter with Sophia, the personification of God’s wisdom (pg. 171) shows how foolish we are to judge God for the tragic circumstances in our lives. Sophia starts by sincerely complementing Mack on his fatherly love for his family. She asks Mack to take the judge’s seat. She lists people who should be judged for greed, abuse, and for causing the suffering of others. Then she mentions the man who murdered Missy. Mack screams, “Yes! Damn him to hell!” Sophia responds, “What about his father, the man who twisted his son into a terror, what about him?” Mack responds, “Yes, him too!”
“’How far do we go back, Mackenzie? This legacy of brokenness goes all the way back to Adam, what about him? But why stop there? What about God? God started this whole thing. Is God to blame?
‘The woman was unrelenting. “Isn’t this where you are stuck Mackenzie? Isn’t this what fuels The Great Sadness? That God cannot be trusted? Surely, a father like you can judge the Father!’ (pg. 151-161)
Q. Imagine that you had been given the authority and power to judge the world? What would be your first act? Is there someone you would ‘damn to hell?’
Q. Have you ever been disappointed or angry with God? Why? How did you handle your emotions?
Q. The Bible gives many examples of people who have been angry or disappointed with God and expressed it either in anguished questions (Psalms), angry outbursts (Job), or sad poetry (Lamentations). Sophia tries to help liberate Mack from ‘The Great Sadness” by challenging him to come to grips with his emotions and express them. The Psalmist tells us to “Pour out your heart before Him.” (Psalm 62:8). Do you have unresolved feelings about God? If so, take time now to honestly tell him how you feel.
2. “Sophia continued. ‘Isn’t that your just complaint, Mackenzie? That God has failed you, that he failed Missy? That before the Creation, God knew that one day your Missy would be brutalized, and still he created? And then he allowed that twisted soul to snatch her from your loving arms when he had the power to stop him. Isn’t God to blame, Mackenzie?’
…Finally, he said it, louder than he intended, and pointed his finger right at her. ‘Yes! God is to blame! The accusation hung in the room as the gavel fell in his heart.” (pg. 161)
Q. The Apostle John tells a story of disappointment with Jesus (see John 11). Two of Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha, had an urgent need for his Jesus’ help. Their brother was dying. They had seen him heal many others, so they knew it wouldn’t be difficult for him to reverse Lazarus’ sickness. They sent a message asking him to come, but he didn’t. Finally Lazarus died. When Jesus finally did show up, how did the sister’s response differ? (see John 11:21-27 and John 11:31-32). What was Jesus’ response to their pain? (see John 11:33-35)
Q. Have you ever felt that God failed you? Did he allow something to happen that he could have prevented or failed to answer a desperate prayer? If you could meet with God in person, what would you say?
Q. After losing his wealth, family, and health, Job said “As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.” (Job 13:3) Could you win the argument? Why or why not? (See Job 38:1-3)
3. “’…If you are able to judge God so easily, then you certainly can judge the world.’ Again she spoke without emotion. “You must choose two of your children to spend eternity in God’s new heaven and new earth, but only two.’
‘What?’ he erupted, turning to her in disbelief.
‘And you must choose three of your children to spend eternity in hell.’
Mack couldn’t believe what he was hearing and started to panic.
‘Mackenzie, I am only asking you to do something that you believe God does. He knows every person ever conceived and he knows them so much deeper and clearer than you will ever know your own children. He loves each one according to his knowledge of the being of that son or daughter. You believe he will condemn most to an eternity of torment, away from His presence and apart from His love. Is that not true?’
“I suppose I do. I just never thought about it like this. I just assumed that somehow God could do that. Talking about hell was always sort of an abstract conversation, not about anyone that I truly…’ Mack hestitated, realizing that what he was about to say would sound ugly, ‘not about anyone that I truly cared about.’ (pg. 161-162)
Q. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Why or why not?
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:13-15) Jesus described hell as “unquenchable fire.” (Mark 9:43) How could a loving God allow any human to endure eternal torment?
Q. Imagine you were given the responsibility for deciding who would go to heaven or hell. How would you make the decision?
Q. According to the Bible, how does a person make sure he or she will not be sent to the eternal torment of hell? (See John 3:16, 5:24)
4. “’So you suppose, then, that God does this easily, but you cannot? Come now, Mackenzie. Which three of our five children will you sentence to hell?
‘I don’t want to be the judge,’ he said, standing up. ‘I can’t do this. I…will…not…do…this!’ Mack yelled.
‘You must,’ she whispered.
‘I can’t. I can’t. I won’t!’ he screamed. Finally he looked at her, pleading with his eyes. ‘Could I go instead? If you need someone to torture for eternity, I’ll go in their place. Would that work? Could I do that?’ He fell at her feet, crying and begging now. ‘Please let me go for my children, please, I would be happy to… Please, I am begging you. Please…Please…
‘Mackenzie…now you sound like Jesus. You have judged well…You have judged them worthy of love, even if it cost you everything. That is how Jesus loves. And now you know Papa’s heart,’ she added, ‘who loves all his children perfectly.’” (pg. 162-163)
Q. Would you be willing to be tortured for eternity if you could be assured that every member of your family could go to heaven?
Q. The Apostle Paul would have sacrificed himself for his people, the Jews (see Romans 9:1-3). Would you be willing to offer your eternity for the people in your community?
Q. Paul wrote, “our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies.” (Romans 5:10) Would you be willing to endure the torture of hell forever for your enemies? (See Luke 6:35)
5. “’But he (God) didn’t stop it (the murder of Missy).’
‘No, he didn’t. He doesn’t stop a lot of things that cause him pain. Your world is severely broken. You demanded your independence, and now you are angry with the one who loved you enough to give it to you. Nothing is as it should be, as Papa desires it to be, and as it will be one day. Right now your world is lost in darkness and chaos, and horrible things happen to those that he is especially fond of.
‘Then why doesn’t he do something about it?’
‘He already has…’
‘You mean what Jesus did?’
‘Haven’t you seen the wounds on Papa too?’
‘I don’t understand them. How could he…’
‘For love. He chose the way of the cross where mercy triumphs over justice because of love. Would you instead prefer he had chosen justice for everyone? Do you want justice, ‘Dear Judge’?’
‘No I don’t,’ he said as he lowered his head. ‘Not for me, and not for my children.’” (pg. 164-165)
Q. We’ve all heard our children say, “It’s not fair!” Do you wish life was fair? Why or why not?
Q. If you received pure justice, where would you be?
Q. Paul wrote, “For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” (Romans 11:32-33) Is God’s mercy fair?
Q. What does the Apostle James mean by his phrase, “mercy triumphs over justice?” (James 2:13)
Q. Paul explains God’s mercy in Ephesians 2:1-8. “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Based on this passage, why is bragging about our religious beliefs or actions so offensive to God?
6. “’But I still don’t understand why Missy had to die.’
‘She didn’t have to, Mackenzie. This was no plan of Papa’s. Papa has never needed evil to accomplish his purposes. It is you humans who have embraced evil and Papa has responded with goodness. What happened to Missy was the work of evil and no one in your world is immune from it.’
‘But it hurts so much. There must be a better way.’
‘There is. You just can’t see it now. Return from your independence, Mackenzie. Give up being his judge and know Papa for who he is. Then you will be able to embrace his love in the midst of your pain, instead of pushing him away with your self-centered perception of how you think the universe should be. Papa has crawled inside of your world to be with you, to be with Missy.’” (pg. 165)
Q. Are the tragedies in our lives part of God’s plan for us? Why does God allow bad things to happen?
Q. How does God ‘redeem’ our trials for his purposes? (See Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, James 5:10-11))
Q. What do you think Sophia means by her invitation to Mack to “return from (his) independence?”
Q. How is it possible to “embrace (God’s) love in the midst of our pain?” (See 1 Peter 1:3-8)
Q. Does it help you to know that God has “crawled inside your world to be with you?” (See 1 Peter 5:7)
“’How far do we go back, Mackenzie? This legacy of brokenness goes all the way back to Adam, what about him? But why stop there? What about God? God started this whole thing. Is God to blame?
‘The woman was unrelenting. “Isn’t this where you are stuck Mackenzie? Isn’t this what fuels The Great Sadness? That God cannot be trusted? Surely, a father like you can judge the Father!’ (pg. 151-161)
Q. Imagine that you had been given the authority and power to judge the world? What would be your first act? Is there someone you would ‘damn to hell?’
Q. Have you ever been disappointed or angry with God? Why? How did you handle your emotions?
Q. The Bible gives many examples of people who have been angry or disappointed with God and expressed it either in anguished questions (Psalms), angry outbursts (Job), or sad poetry (Lamentations). Sophia tries to help liberate Mack from ‘The Great Sadness” by challenging him to come to grips with his emotions and express them. The Psalmist tells us to “Pour out your heart before Him.” (Psalm 62:8). Do you have unresolved feelings about God? If so, take time now to honestly tell him how you feel.
2. “Sophia continued. ‘Isn’t that your just complaint, Mackenzie? That God has failed you, that he failed Missy? That before the Creation, God knew that one day your Missy would be brutalized, and still he created? And then he allowed that twisted soul to snatch her from your loving arms when he had the power to stop him. Isn’t God to blame, Mackenzie?’
…Finally, he said it, louder than he intended, and pointed his finger right at her. ‘Yes! God is to blame! The accusation hung in the room as the gavel fell in his heart.” (pg. 161)
Q. The Apostle John tells a story of disappointment with Jesus (see John 11). Two of Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha, had an urgent need for his Jesus’ help. Their brother was dying. They had seen him heal many others, so they knew it wouldn’t be difficult for him to reverse Lazarus’ sickness. They sent a message asking him to come, but he didn’t. Finally Lazarus died. When Jesus finally did show up, how did the sister’s response differ? (see John 11:21-27 and John 11:31-32). What was Jesus’ response to their pain? (see John 11:33-35)
Q. Have you ever felt that God failed you? Did he allow something to happen that he could have prevented or failed to answer a desperate prayer? If you could meet with God in person, what would you say?
Q. After losing his wealth, family, and health, Job said “As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.” (Job 13:3) Could you win the argument? Why or why not? (See Job 38:1-3)
3. “’…If you are able to judge God so easily, then you certainly can judge the world.’ Again she spoke without emotion. “You must choose two of your children to spend eternity in God’s new heaven and new earth, but only two.’
‘What?’ he erupted, turning to her in disbelief.
‘And you must choose three of your children to spend eternity in hell.’
Mack couldn’t believe what he was hearing and started to panic.
‘Mackenzie, I am only asking you to do something that you believe God does. He knows every person ever conceived and he knows them so much deeper and clearer than you will ever know your own children. He loves each one according to his knowledge of the being of that son or daughter. You believe he will condemn most to an eternity of torment, away from His presence and apart from His love. Is that not true?’
“I suppose I do. I just never thought about it like this. I just assumed that somehow God could do that. Talking about hell was always sort of an abstract conversation, not about anyone that I truly…’ Mack hestitated, realizing that what he was about to say would sound ugly, ‘not about anyone that I truly cared about.’ (pg. 161-162)
Q. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Why or why not?
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:13-15) Jesus described hell as “unquenchable fire.” (Mark 9:43) How could a loving God allow any human to endure eternal torment?
Q. Imagine you were given the responsibility for deciding who would go to heaven or hell. How would you make the decision?
Q. According to the Bible, how does a person make sure he or she will not be sent to the eternal torment of hell? (See John 3:16, 5:24)
4. “’So you suppose, then, that God does this easily, but you cannot? Come now, Mackenzie. Which three of our five children will you sentence to hell?
‘I don’t want to be the judge,’ he said, standing up. ‘I can’t do this. I…will…not…do…this!’ Mack yelled.
‘You must,’ she whispered.
‘I can’t. I can’t. I won’t!’ he screamed. Finally he looked at her, pleading with his eyes. ‘Could I go instead? If you need someone to torture for eternity, I’ll go in their place. Would that work? Could I do that?’ He fell at her feet, crying and begging now. ‘Please let me go for my children, please, I would be happy to… Please, I am begging you. Please…Please…
‘Mackenzie…now you sound like Jesus. You have judged well…You have judged them worthy of love, even if it cost you everything. That is how Jesus loves. And now you know Papa’s heart,’ she added, ‘who loves all his children perfectly.’” (pg. 162-163)
Q. Would you be willing to be tortured for eternity if you could be assured that every member of your family could go to heaven?
Q. The Apostle Paul would have sacrificed himself for his people, the Jews (see Romans 9:1-3). Would you be willing to offer your eternity for the people in your community?
Q. Paul wrote, “our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies.” (Romans 5:10) Would you be willing to endure the torture of hell forever for your enemies? (See Luke 6:35)
5. “’But he (God) didn’t stop it (the murder of Missy).’
‘No, he didn’t. He doesn’t stop a lot of things that cause him pain. Your world is severely broken. You demanded your independence, and now you are angry with the one who loved you enough to give it to you. Nothing is as it should be, as Papa desires it to be, and as it will be one day. Right now your world is lost in darkness and chaos, and horrible things happen to those that he is especially fond of.
‘Then why doesn’t he do something about it?’
‘He already has…’
‘You mean what Jesus did?’
‘Haven’t you seen the wounds on Papa too?’
‘I don’t understand them. How could he…’
‘For love. He chose the way of the cross where mercy triumphs over justice because of love. Would you instead prefer he had chosen justice for everyone? Do you want justice, ‘Dear Judge’?’
‘No I don’t,’ he said as he lowered his head. ‘Not for me, and not for my children.’” (pg. 164-165)
Q. We’ve all heard our children say, “It’s not fair!” Do you wish life was fair? Why or why not?
Q. If you received pure justice, where would you be?
Q. Paul wrote, “For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” (Romans 11:32-33) Is God’s mercy fair?
Q. What does the Apostle James mean by his phrase, “mercy triumphs over justice?” (James 2:13)
Q. Paul explains God’s mercy in Ephesians 2:1-8. “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Based on this passage, why is bragging about our religious beliefs or actions so offensive to God?
6. “’But I still don’t understand why Missy had to die.’
‘She didn’t have to, Mackenzie. This was no plan of Papa’s. Papa has never needed evil to accomplish his purposes. It is you humans who have embraced evil and Papa has responded with goodness. What happened to Missy was the work of evil and no one in your world is immune from it.’
‘But it hurts so much. There must be a better way.’
‘There is. You just can’t see it now. Return from your independence, Mackenzie. Give up being his judge and know Papa for who he is. Then you will be able to embrace his love in the midst of your pain, instead of pushing him away with your self-centered perception of how you think the universe should be. Papa has crawled inside of your world to be with you, to be with Missy.’” (pg. 165)
Q. Are the tragedies in our lives part of God’s plan for us? Why does God allow bad things to happen?
Q. How does God ‘redeem’ our trials for his purposes? (See Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, James 5:10-11))
Q. What do you think Sophia means by her invitation to Mack to “return from (his) independence?”
Q. How is it possible to “embrace (God’s) love in the midst of our pain?” (See 1 Peter 1:3-8)
Q. Does it help you to know that God has “crawled inside your world to be with you?” (See 1 Peter 5:7)
Meeting Jesus – God the Son
1. “He appeared Middle Eastern and was dressed like a laborer. His features were pleasant enough, but he was not particularly handsome- not a man who would stick out in a crowd. But his eyes and smile lit up his face and Mack found it difficult to look away.”
Q. Artist through the centuries have tried to depict the appearance of Jesus. Most show him as the ideal man, handsome, regal, and holy. How do you picture Jesus in your mind?
Q. The Bible describes Jesus’ appearance this way: “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.” (Isaiah 53:2) It seems that God went out of his way to make sure his son wasn’t appealing to people for the wrong reasons. His humble birth, his hometown (“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” John 1:45), his appearance, and his credentials (son of a carpenter). Why do you think he did this? What implications does it have for the way God is working in our world today?
Q. As the author mentions, Jesus’ attitude was very attractive. He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) He was known to his disciples as a person of joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, compassion, etc. The apostle Peter wrote that we should be known for inner qualities too. (1 Peter 3:3-4) How do we accomplish this? (Galatians 5:22-23)
2. “’When we three spoke ourself into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human. We also chose to embrace al the limitations that this entailed. Even though we have always been present in this created universe, we now became flesh and blood. It would be like this bird, whose nature it is to fly, choosing only to walk and remain grounded. He doesn’t stop being the bird, but it does alter his experience of life significantly. Although by nature he is fully God, Jesus is fully human and lives as such. While never losing the innate ability to fly, he chooses moment by moment to remain grounded. That is why his name is Immanuel … God with you.’” (pg. 99)
“’Mackenzie, Jesus didn’t hold on to any rights; he willingly became a servant and lives out of his relationship to Papa. He gave up everything, so that by his dependent life he opened a door that would allow you to live free enough to give up your rights.’”
Q. The Apostle Paul describes the incarnation this way: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” What must it have been like for the God of the universe to limit himself to a human body? What do you think Paul means when he asks us to emulate Jesus’ attitude?
3. “’Jesus is fully human. Although he is also fully God, he has never drawn upon his nature as God to do anything. He has only lived out of his relationship with me, living in the very same manner that I desire to be in relationship with every human being. He is just the first to do it to the uttermost – the first to absolutely trust my life within him, the first to believe in my love and my goodness without regard for appearance or consequence.’”
‘So, when he healed the blind?’
‘He did so as a dependent, limited human being trusting in my life and power to be at work within him and through him. Jesus, as a human being, had no power within himself to heal anyone.’” (pg. 99-100)
Q. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14) Many of the leaders of the early church did continue to do the miraculous works that Jesus had done – including even raising the dead (Acts). Do you believe we can ‘do greater things’ today? Why or why not? If so, in your opinion, what is restricting the flow of God’s life and power through his people? Why don’t we see more of God’s miraculous presence?
Q. Just before going to the cross, Jesus asked his father, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23) If Jesus prays something, is it automatically answered? If so, do you think we already have this wonderful gift of union with the father, or is there something required of us to receive it? As you honestly evaluate your own life, do you think it ‘lets the world know’ Jesus came from God? Why or why not?
4. “’I am the best way any human can relate to Papa or Sarayu. To see me is to see them. The love you sense from me is no different from how they love you. And believe me, Papa and Sarayu are just as real as I am, though as you’ve seen, in far different ways.’” (pg. 110)
Q. The author of the book of Hebrews wrote, “The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.” (Hebrews 1:3) And Jesus told one of his disciples, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. (John 14:9-11) So, when we look at Jesus, we are seeing both the Father and the Holy Spirit. In the story, Mack was most comfortable relating to Jesus. Why is it easiest for us to have a relationship with Jesus too? How could this truth improve our relationship with God?
Q. Artist through the centuries have tried to depict the appearance of Jesus. Most show him as the ideal man, handsome, regal, and holy. How do you picture Jesus in your mind?
Q. The Bible describes Jesus’ appearance this way: “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.” (Isaiah 53:2) It seems that God went out of his way to make sure his son wasn’t appealing to people for the wrong reasons. His humble birth, his hometown (“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” John 1:45), his appearance, and his credentials (son of a carpenter). Why do you think he did this? What implications does it have for the way God is working in our world today?
Q. As the author mentions, Jesus’ attitude was very attractive. He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) He was known to his disciples as a person of joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, compassion, etc. The apostle Peter wrote that we should be known for inner qualities too. (1 Peter 3:3-4) How do we accomplish this? (Galatians 5:22-23)
2. “’When we three spoke ourself into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human. We also chose to embrace al the limitations that this entailed. Even though we have always been present in this created universe, we now became flesh and blood. It would be like this bird, whose nature it is to fly, choosing only to walk and remain grounded. He doesn’t stop being the bird, but it does alter his experience of life significantly. Although by nature he is fully God, Jesus is fully human and lives as such. While never losing the innate ability to fly, he chooses moment by moment to remain grounded. That is why his name is Immanuel … God with you.’” (pg. 99)
“’Mackenzie, Jesus didn’t hold on to any rights; he willingly became a servant and lives out of his relationship to Papa. He gave up everything, so that by his dependent life he opened a door that would allow you to live free enough to give up your rights.’”
Q. The Apostle Paul describes the incarnation this way: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” What must it have been like for the God of the universe to limit himself to a human body? What do you think Paul means when he asks us to emulate Jesus’ attitude?
3. “’Jesus is fully human. Although he is also fully God, he has never drawn upon his nature as God to do anything. He has only lived out of his relationship with me, living in the very same manner that I desire to be in relationship with every human being. He is just the first to do it to the uttermost – the first to absolutely trust my life within him, the first to believe in my love and my goodness without regard for appearance or consequence.’”
‘So, when he healed the blind?’
‘He did so as a dependent, limited human being trusting in my life and power to be at work within him and through him. Jesus, as a human being, had no power within himself to heal anyone.’” (pg. 99-100)
Q. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14) Many of the leaders of the early church did continue to do the miraculous works that Jesus had done – including even raising the dead (Acts). Do you believe we can ‘do greater things’ today? Why or why not? If so, in your opinion, what is restricting the flow of God’s life and power through his people? Why don’t we see more of God’s miraculous presence?
Q. Just before going to the cross, Jesus asked his father, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23) If Jesus prays something, is it automatically answered? If so, do you think we already have this wonderful gift of union with the father, or is there something required of us to receive it? As you honestly evaluate your own life, do you think it ‘lets the world know’ Jesus came from God? Why or why not?
4. “’I am the best way any human can relate to Papa or Sarayu. To see me is to see them. The love you sense from me is no different from how they love you. And believe me, Papa and Sarayu are just as real as I am, though as you’ve seen, in far different ways.’” (pg. 110)
Q. The author of the book of Hebrews wrote, “The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.” (Hebrews 1:3) And Jesus told one of his disciples, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. (John 14:9-11) So, when we look at Jesus, we are seeing both the Father and the Holy Spirit. In the story, Mack was most comfortable relating to Jesus. Why is it easiest for us to have a relationship with Jesus too? How could this truth improve our relationship with God?
Meeting “Sarayu” – God the Spirit
1. “He had a difficult time focusing on her; she seemed almost to shimmer in the light and her hair blew in all directions even though there was hadly a breeze. I was almost easier to see her out of the corner of his eye than it was to look at her directly.” (pg.84)
Q. How would you describe the Holy Spirit? Jesus gave this description, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)
Q. The Apostle Paul writes, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) What do you think he means by the phrase, “the Lord is the Spirit?” How does the Spirit “change us into his glorious image?”
2. “From what he could tell this wiry-looking person was maybe of northern Chinese or Nepalese or even Mongolian ethnicity. From her clothing, Mack assumed she was a groundskeeper or gardener.” (pg.85)
Q. The author portrays the Holy Spirit as a gardener who, as Mack discovers later, is working in the garden of his soul. Think of your own soul as the Spirit’s garden. What are some of the areas the ‘gardener’ is working on in your life? What are the flowers that you are celebrating together? What are the weeds that have to be removed?
3. “’Speaking of Sarayu, is she the Holy Spirit?’
‘Yes. She is Creativity; she is Action; she is the Breathing of Life; she is much more. She is my (Jesus’) Spirit.’
‘And her name, Sarayu?’
‘That is a simple name from one of our human languages. It means ‘Wind,’ a common wind actually. She loves that name.’” (pg. 110)
Q. The Bible uses many metaphors for the Holy Spirit – wind, fire, a dove, anointing oil, water, a counselor, a guide, and breath. How have you experienced the Spirit’s presence in your life?
Q. At the beginning of the church (Acts) the Holy Spirit was very active in miracles, supernatural guidance, and empowering believers. Do you think ‘Sarayu’ is as active in the church today? If not, why not? What could we do to increase the activity of the Spirit in our day?
Q. How would you describe the Holy Spirit? Jesus gave this description, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)
Q. The Apostle Paul writes, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) What do you think he means by the phrase, “the Lord is the Spirit?” How does the Spirit “change us into his glorious image?”
2. “From what he could tell this wiry-looking person was maybe of northern Chinese or Nepalese or even Mongolian ethnicity. From her clothing, Mack assumed she was a groundskeeper or gardener.” (pg.85)
Q. The author portrays the Holy Spirit as a gardener who, as Mack discovers later, is working in the garden of his soul. Think of your own soul as the Spirit’s garden. What are some of the areas the ‘gardener’ is working on in your life? What are the flowers that you are celebrating together? What are the weeds that have to be removed?
3. “’Speaking of Sarayu, is she the Holy Spirit?’
‘Yes. She is Creativity; she is Action; she is the Breathing of Life; she is much more. She is my (Jesus’) Spirit.’
‘And her name, Sarayu?’
‘That is a simple name from one of our human languages. It means ‘Wind,’ a common wind actually. She loves that name.’” (pg. 110)
Q. The Bible uses many metaphors for the Holy Spirit – wind, fire, a dove, anointing oil, water, a counselor, a guide, and breath. How have you experienced the Spirit’s presence in your life?
Q. At the beginning of the church (Acts) the Holy Spirit was very active in miracles, supernatural guidance, and empowering believers. Do you think ‘Sarayu’ is as active in the church today? If not, why not? What could we do to increase the activity of the Spirit in our day?
Meeting “Papa” – God the Father
1. In chapter 5, entitled “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” Mack (on his way to his meeting with “Papa” at the shack) tells his friend Willie, “ I’ve always sort of pictured him (God) as a really big grandpa with a long white flowing beard, sort of like Gandalf in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings” (p.73). When he finally meets God the Father, he’s represented by a large beaming African American woman named “Elousia.”
Q. We’ve all formed a visual representation of God in our minds. If you were given the opportunity to meet him in person, what would you expect to see? What shapes your perception?
Q. One way our understanding of God is shaped is by our relationship with our earthly father. Papa notes this with Mack, who had a terrible relationship with his own dad. “Hasn’t it always been a problem for you to embrace me as your father? … You couldn’t very well handle a father right now, could you?” (pg.93)
Q. Mack’s first impression of Papa includes the fragrance of his mother’s perfume. In his, and the author’s experience, his mother had been a more accurate reflection of God’s nature. “Meanwhile this woman stood there with her arms outstretched as if they were the very arms of his mother. He felt the presence of love. It was warm, inviting, melting.” (pg. 83)
“As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were … like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” (1 Thess. 2:7-8)
2. “’Elousia,’ the voice (Jesus) spoke reverently…, ‘That is a wonderful name. El is my name as Creator God, but ousia is ‘being’ or ‘that which is truly real,’ so the name means the Creator God who is truly real and the ground of all being. Now that is a beautiful name.’” (pg.111)
Q. What are some names for God in the Bible?
Elohim: means ‘strong one’ is a plural form of God’s name and intimates the trinity.
El Shaddai: ‘God Almighty’ the one who lovingly supplies our needs .
El Elyon: ‘The Most High God’ stresses his strength an sovereignty.
El Olam: ‘The Everlasting God’ who is unchangeable and inexhaustible.
Yahweh: ‘The Lord will provide.
Yahweh Nissi: ‘The Lord is my Banner, rallying point, and means of victory.
Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.
Yahweh Sabbaoth: ‘the Lord of Hosts – a military picture of the Lord as commander of the armies of heaven.
Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: ‘The Lord our Sanctifier – our means of righteousness.
Yahweh Ro’i: ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’
Yahwey Tsidkenu: ‘The Lord our Righeousness.’
Yahweh Shammah: ‘The Lord is there.’
Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.”
(see http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=220)
3. “How should he address him? Should he call him Father, or Almighty One, or perhaps Mr. God, and would it be best if he fell down and worshipped, not that he was really in the mood.” (pg.82)
Q. On one extreme, there are believers who are very formal and respectful when they address God. Their first impulse when they think about God is reverential fear. On the other extreme there are believers who approach God in a very casual way. The speak of God as if he was their good friend. Where are you on this continuum? Why? Can you think of any passages of Scripture to support your answer?
4. “She (Papa) crossed the distance between them and engulfed him in her arms, lifting him clear off his feet and spinning him around like a little child. And all the while she was shouting his name – ‘Mackenzie Allen Phillips’ – with the ardor of someone seeing a long-lost and deeply-loved relative.” (pg. 82)
Q. According to the Bible, (Romans 14:10) we will all have our meeting with God. Do you imagine it like the author, as a joyful embrace (see Luke 15:20) or like the Apostle John who wrote, "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead." (Revelation 1:17)? Why?
5. “I have really been looking forward to seeing you face to face. It is so wonderful to have you here with us. My, my, my, how I do love you!” (pg. 83)
Q. The author bases his description of Mack’s meeting with God on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. Compare this Why do you think the God of the Old Testament seems so harsh and scary compared with the God of the New Testament who seems so loving and compassionate? (see Hebrews 12:18-24)
6. “’Isn’t she great!’ exclaimed Jesus, grinning at Mack. Mack turned and faced him, shaking his head. ‘Am I going crazy? Am I supposed to believe that God is a big black woman with a questionable sense of humor?’ Jesus laughed. ‘She’s a riot! You can always count on her to throw you a curve or two. She loves surprises, and even though you might not think it, her timing is always perfect.’” (pg. 88-89)
“’Mackenzie, I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature. If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it’s because I love you. For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning. To reveal myself to you as a very large, white grandfather figure with flowing beard, like Gandalf, would simply reinforce your religious stereotypes…’” (pg. 93)
“’Why is there such an emphasis on you being a Father? I mean, it seems to be the way you most reveal yourself.’ ‘Well,’ responded Papa …, ‘there are many reasons for that, and some of them go very deep. Let me say for now that we knew once the Creation was broken, true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering. Don’t misunderstand me, both are needed – but and emphasis on fathering is necessary because of the enormity of its absence.” (pg. 94)
Q. “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Does this passage mean that part of God’s image is female? Jesus said to the woman at the well, “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) Does a spirit have gender? If God is ‘genderless,’ why do you think he is portrayed in the Bible as ‘Father’ and referred to as ‘He’? What do you think of the author’s reasoning that God chose to reveal himself as father because “true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering” and males need God as a role model?
Q. Do you think God has a sense of humor? Why or why not? The Bible says, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” (Psalm 2:4) God created us in his image including our emotions.
7. “’So God listens to funk?’ Mack had never heard ‘funk’ talked about in any properly religious terms. ‘I thought you would be listening to George Beverly Shea or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – you know, something churchier.’” (pg. 90)
Q. Does God have musical preferences? Does he like ‘churchy’ music? In a time of great joy, David “danced before the LORD with all his might.” His wife, Michal, criticized him for his behavior because she thought his worship was undignified – especially for a king. God punished her for this. (2 Samuel 6:12-23)
The Psalmist tells us to, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” (33:3) The last Psalm says, “Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5)
8. “’If you couldn’t take care of Missy, how can I trust you to take care of me?’ There, he’d said it – the question that had tormented him every day of The Great Sadness. Mack … realized his hands were knotted into fists. ‘Mack, I’m so sorry.’ Tears began to trail down her cheeks. I know what a great gulf this has put between us. I know you don’t understand this yet, but I am especially fond of Missy, and you too. That’s why you’re here, Mack,’ she continued. ‘I want to heal the wound that has grown inside of you, and between us.’” (pg. 92)
Q. Most of us pray regularly for safety when we travel or the protection of family and friends. Can God be trusted to keep us, and our loved ones, safe? The Apostle Peter wrote, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7) “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation.” (1 Peter 1:5) In Job 1:10, Satan refers to “a wall of protection” which was placed there by God to keep Job’s family and property safe. But, as you know, this was later removed for God’s purposes.
Q. When we suffer tragedies, is it appropriate to blame God? Why or why not? After Job lost his family and possessions, he “tore his robe in grief” and said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Then the author of Job ads these words, “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:20-22)
Q. Couldn’t God have prevented the tragic situation? If so, isn’t he responsible for the outcome? Jesus’ friend Lazarus was very sick, but Jesus didn’t go to heal him. He arrived after Lazarus had died. His sister Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Later, Jesus said, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” Then he raised Lazarus from the dead. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
9. “’How can you really know how I feel?’ Mack asked, looking back into her eyes. Papa didn’t answer, only looked down at their hands. His gaze followed hers and for the first time Mack noticed the scars in her wrists, like those he now assumed Jesus also had on his. She allowed him to tenderly touch the scars, outlines of a deep piercing, and he finally looked up again into her face. Tears were slowly making their way down her face. ‘Don’t ever think that what my son chose to do didn’t cost us dearly. Love always leaves a significant mark,’ she stated softly and gently. ‘We were there together.’ Mack was surprised. ‘At the cross? Now wait, I thought you left him – you know – ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ It was a Scripture that often haunted Mack in The Great Sadness. ‘You misunderstand the mystery there. Regardless of what he felt at that moment, I never left him.’”
Q. Did God actually abandon Jesus on the cross, or did Jesus just ‘feel’ abandoned? “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi,[a] lama sabachthani?’—which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46) God strengthened Jesus before the cross, in the Garden of Gethsemene (Luke 22:43). And as Jesus died, he said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) So, the Father was present before and after Jesus’ suffering. Some teach that God had to hide his face from Jesus when he “became sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21) because his holy nature can’t look on sin. But how can the God of the trinity – one God in three persons – separate from himself?
10. “’I’m not like you Mack. I am God. I am who I am. And unlike you, my wings can’t be clipped. …’I am what some would say holy, and wholly other than you. The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn’t much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I’m not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think.’” (pg. 98)
Q. Do you think we recreate God in our image? If so, why do humans do this? God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Q. If our view of God is distorted by our human perspective, as the author claims, how can we get a more accurate view of who God really is?
11. “’Do you ever get mad at any of them (people)?’
‘What parent doesn’t? There is a lot to be mad about in the mess my kids have made and in the mess they’re in. I don’t like a lot of choices they make, but that anger – especially for me – is an expression of love all the same. I love the ones I am angry with just as much as those I’m not.
‘But,’ Mack paused. ‘What about our wrath? It seems to me that if you’re going to pretend to be God Almighty, you need to be a lot angrier.’
‘Do I now?’
‘That’s what I’d think. Weren’t you always running around killing people in the Bible? You just don’t seem to fit the bill.’
‘I am not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.’” (pg. 119-120)
Q. Is God angry at humanity?
“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:18-20)
Referring the rebellion of Israel in the desert, God said, “I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'” (Hebrews 3:10)
“For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—the breath of man that I have created. I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will heal them.’” (Isaiah 57:15-19)
Q. In the book God says, “It’s not my purpose to punish it (sin); it’s my joy to cure it.” Is God a reluctant judge?
“’Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone,’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Repent and live!’” (Ezekiel 18: 23,32)
Q. We’ve all formed a visual representation of God in our minds. If you were given the opportunity to meet him in person, what would you expect to see? What shapes your perception?
Q. One way our understanding of God is shaped is by our relationship with our earthly father. Papa notes this with Mack, who had a terrible relationship with his own dad. “Hasn’t it always been a problem for you to embrace me as your father? … You couldn’t very well handle a father right now, could you?” (pg.93)
Q. Mack’s first impression of Papa includes the fragrance of his mother’s perfume. In his, and the author’s experience, his mother had been a more accurate reflection of God’s nature. “Meanwhile this woman stood there with her arms outstretched as if they were the very arms of his mother. He felt the presence of love. It was warm, inviting, melting.” (pg. 83)
“As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were … like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” (1 Thess. 2:7-8)
2. “’Elousia,’ the voice (Jesus) spoke reverently…, ‘That is a wonderful name. El is my name as Creator God, but ousia is ‘being’ or ‘that which is truly real,’ so the name means the Creator God who is truly real and the ground of all being. Now that is a beautiful name.’” (pg.111)
Q. What are some names for God in the Bible?
Elohim: means ‘strong one’ is a plural form of God’s name and intimates the trinity.
El Shaddai: ‘God Almighty’ the one who lovingly supplies our needs .
El Elyon: ‘The Most High God’ stresses his strength an sovereignty.
El Olam: ‘The Everlasting God’ who is unchangeable and inexhaustible.
Yahweh: ‘The Lord will provide.
Yahweh Nissi: ‘The Lord is my Banner, rallying point, and means of victory.
Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.
Yahweh Sabbaoth: ‘the Lord of Hosts – a military picture of the Lord as commander of the armies of heaven.
Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: ‘The Lord our Sanctifier – our means of righteousness.
Yahweh Ro’i: ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’
Yahwey Tsidkenu: ‘The Lord our Righeousness.’
Yahweh Shammah: ‘The Lord is there.’
Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.”
(see http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=220)
3. “How should he address him? Should he call him Father, or Almighty One, or perhaps Mr. God, and would it be best if he fell down and worshipped, not that he was really in the mood.” (pg.82)
Q. On one extreme, there are believers who are very formal and respectful when they address God. Their first impulse when they think about God is reverential fear. On the other extreme there are believers who approach God in a very casual way. The speak of God as if he was their good friend. Where are you on this continuum? Why? Can you think of any passages of Scripture to support your answer?
4. “She (Papa) crossed the distance between them and engulfed him in her arms, lifting him clear off his feet and spinning him around like a little child. And all the while she was shouting his name – ‘Mackenzie Allen Phillips’ – with the ardor of someone seeing a long-lost and deeply-loved relative.” (pg. 82)
Q. According to the Bible, (Romans 14:10) we will all have our meeting with God. Do you imagine it like the author, as a joyful embrace (see Luke 15:20) or like the Apostle John who wrote, "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead." (Revelation 1:17)? Why?
5. “I have really been looking forward to seeing you face to face. It is so wonderful to have you here with us. My, my, my, how I do love you!” (pg. 83)
Q. The author bases his description of Mack’s meeting with God on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. Compare this Why do you think the God of the Old Testament seems so harsh and scary compared with the God of the New Testament who seems so loving and compassionate? (see Hebrews 12:18-24)
6. “’Isn’t she great!’ exclaimed Jesus, grinning at Mack. Mack turned and faced him, shaking his head. ‘Am I going crazy? Am I supposed to believe that God is a big black woman with a questionable sense of humor?’ Jesus laughed. ‘She’s a riot! You can always count on her to throw you a curve or two. She loves surprises, and even though you might not think it, her timing is always perfect.’” (pg. 88-89)
“’Mackenzie, I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature. If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it’s because I love you. For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning. To reveal myself to you as a very large, white grandfather figure with flowing beard, like Gandalf, would simply reinforce your religious stereotypes…’” (pg. 93)
“’Why is there such an emphasis on you being a Father? I mean, it seems to be the way you most reveal yourself.’ ‘Well,’ responded Papa …, ‘there are many reasons for that, and some of them go very deep. Let me say for now that we knew once the Creation was broken, true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering. Don’t misunderstand me, both are needed – but and emphasis on fathering is necessary because of the enormity of its absence.” (pg. 94)
Q. “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Does this passage mean that part of God’s image is female? Jesus said to the woman at the well, “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) Does a spirit have gender? If God is ‘genderless,’ why do you think he is portrayed in the Bible as ‘Father’ and referred to as ‘He’? What do you think of the author’s reasoning that God chose to reveal himself as father because “true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering” and males need God as a role model?
Q. Do you think God has a sense of humor? Why or why not? The Bible says, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” (Psalm 2:4) God created us in his image including our emotions.
7. “’So God listens to funk?’ Mack had never heard ‘funk’ talked about in any properly religious terms. ‘I thought you would be listening to George Beverly Shea or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – you know, something churchier.’” (pg. 90)
Q. Does God have musical preferences? Does he like ‘churchy’ music? In a time of great joy, David “danced before the LORD with all his might.” His wife, Michal, criticized him for his behavior because she thought his worship was undignified – especially for a king. God punished her for this. (2 Samuel 6:12-23)
The Psalmist tells us to, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” (33:3) The last Psalm says, “Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5)
8. “’If you couldn’t take care of Missy, how can I trust you to take care of me?’ There, he’d said it – the question that had tormented him every day of The Great Sadness. Mack … realized his hands were knotted into fists. ‘Mack, I’m so sorry.’ Tears began to trail down her cheeks. I know what a great gulf this has put between us. I know you don’t understand this yet, but I am especially fond of Missy, and you too. That’s why you’re here, Mack,’ she continued. ‘I want to heal the wound that has grown inside of you, and between us.’” (pg. 92)
Q. Most of us pray regularly for safety when we travel or the protection of family and friends. Can God be trusted to keep us, and our loved ones, safe? The Apostle Peter wrote, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7) “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation.” (1 Peter 1:5) In Job 1:10, Satan refers to “a wall of protection” which was placed there by God to keep Job’s family and property safe. But, as you know, this was later removed for God’s purposes.
Q. When we suffer tragedies, is it appropriate to blame God? Why or why not? After Job lost his family and possessions, he “tore his robe in grief” and said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Then the author of Job ads these words, “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:20-22)
Q. Couldn’t God have prevented the tragic situation? If so, isn’t he responsible for the outcome? Jesus’ friend Lazarus was very sick, but Jesus didn’t go to heal him. He arrived after Lazarus had died. His sister Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Later, Jesus said, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” Then he raised Lazarus from the dead. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
9. “’How can you really know how I feel?’ Mack asked, looking back into her eyes. Papa didn’t answer, only looked down at their hands. His gaze followed hers and for the first time Mack noticed the scars in her wrists, like those he now assumed Jesus also had on his. She allowed him to tenderly touch the scars, outlines of a deep piercing, and he finally looked up again into her face. Tears were slowly making their way down her face. ‘Don’t ever think that what my son chose to do didn’t cost us dearly. Love always leaves a significant mark,’ she stated softly and gently. ‘We were there together.’ Mack was surprised. ‘At the cross? Now wait, I thought you left him – you know – ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ It was a Scripture that often haunted Mack in The Great Sadness. ‘You misunderstand the mystery there. Regardless of what he felt at that moment, I never left him.’”
Q. Did God actually abandon Jesus on the cross, or did Jesus just ‘feel’ abandoned? “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi,[a] lama sabachthani?’—which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46) God strengthened Jesus before the cross, in the Garden of Gethsemene (Luke 22:43). And as Jesus died, he said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) So, the Father was present before and after Jesus’ suffering. Some teach that God had to hide his face from Jesus when he “became sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21) because his holy nature can’t look on sin. But how can the God of the trinity – one God in three persons – separate from himself?
10. “’I’m not like you Mack. I am God. I am who I am. And unlike you, my wings can’t be clipped. …’I am what some would say holy, and wholly other than you. The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn’t much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I’m not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think.’” (pg. 98)
Q. Do you think we recreate God in our image? If so, why do humans do this? God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Q. If our view of God is distorted by our human perspective, as the author claims, how can we get a more accurate view of who God really is?
11. “’Do you ever get mad at any of them (people)?’
‘What parent doesn’t? There is a lot to be mad about in the mess my kids have made and in the mess they’re in. I don’t like a lot of choices they make, but that anger – especially for me – is an expression of love all the same. I love the ones I am angry with just as much as those I’m not.
‘But,’ Mack paused. ‘What about our wrath? It seems to me that if you’re going to pretend to be God Almighty, you need to be a lot angrier.’
‘Do I now?’
‘That’s what I’d think. Weren’t you always running around killing people in the Bible? You just don’t seem to fit the bill.’
‘I am not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.’” (pg. 119-120)
Q. Is God angry at humanity?
“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:18-20)
Referring the rebellion of Israel in the desert, God said, “I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'” (Hebrews 3:10)
“For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—the breath of man that I have created. I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will heal them.’” (Isaiah 57:15-19)
Q. In the book God says, “It’s not my purpose to punish it (sin); it’s my joy to cure it.” Is God a reluctant judge?
“’Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone,’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Repent and live!’” (Ezekiel 18: 23,32)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Contents
Introduction
1. The Great Sadness – the story of Mack’s loss
2. Other encounters with God
3. Meeting “Papa” – God the Father
4. Meeting “Sarayu” – God the Spirit
5. Meeting Jesus – God the Son
6. Meeting “Sophia” – God’s wisdom
7. The mystery of God’s relationship
8. The mystery of Christ in us
9. The mystery of God’s purpose
10. The mystery of human freedom
11. The mystery of God’s justice
12. The mystery of God’s love
13. The mystery of human suffering
14. The mystery of God’s grace
15. The effects of the fall
16. The power of forgiveness
Conclusion
1. The Great Sadness – the story of Mack’s loss
2. Other encounters with God
3. Meeting “Papa” – God the Father
4. Meeting “Sarayu” – God the Spirit
5. Meeting Jesus – God the Son
6. Meeting “Sophia” – God’s wisdom
7. The mystery of God’s relationship
8. The mystery of Christ in us
9. The mystery of God’s purpose
10. The mystery of human freedom
11. The mystery of God’s justice
12. The mystery of God’s love
13. The mystery of human suffering
14. The mystery of God’s grace
15. The effects of the fall
16. The power of forgiveness
Conclusion
Other encounters with God
Q. Is Mack’s meeting with God in The Shack similar to encounters other people have had in the Bible or in history?
• Job: “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” (Job 42:5-6)
• Abram at Moreh in Shechem: “the Lord appeared to Abram and said ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’" (Genesis 12:7)
• Abraham and the three visitors: “The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. 2 He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.” (Genesis 18:1-2)
• Lot and the visitor to Sodom: “When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.” (Genesis 19:15-17)
• Jacob and the ladder (Gen 28:10-22), the Wrestler: "... I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared." (Gen. 32:22-32), and the Voice (Gen. 35:9-15)
• Moses burning bush: “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.” (Exodus 3), Mt. Sinai – dense cloud, thunder, and lightening (Exodus 19:9,16), God’s back (Exodus 33:18-23), Moses on Mount Sinai: “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God...’" (Exodus 34)
• Face to face encounter: "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend..." (Exodus 33:11) "He [God] said, "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD..." (Num. 12:6-8)
• Group encounter with God: "Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they beheld God, and they ate and drank." (Exodus 24:9-11)
• Balaam’s and the talking donkey: “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.” (Numbers 22)
• Joshua and the armed warrior: “When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, ‘Are you friend or foe?’
‘Neither one,’ he replied. ‘I am the commander of the Lord’s army.’
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. ‘I am at your command,’ Joshua said. ‘What do you want your servant to do?’
The commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did as he was told.” (Joshua 5:13-15)
• Samson’s mother: The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. “(Judges 13)
• Gideon: “Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites.” (Judges 6:10-12)
• Samuel and the voice in the temple: “Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. ‘Here I am. Did you call me?’ Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel replied, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.’” (1 Samuel 3:7-10)
• Elijah: “Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.’” (1 Kings 19:6-8)
• Ezekiel: “On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1)
• Daniel: “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
• Isaiah's Commission: “I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6)Zebedee’s vision in the temple
• The disciples: “No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” (John 1:18)
• Baptism of Jesus : “...heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)Stephen’s vision of Jesus
• Saul on the road to Damascus : “... suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9)
• Paul caught up to the third heaven: “I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-3)
• Revelation of St. John: “... His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last..." (Rev 1)
Extra-biblical encounters with God
• Blaise Pascal: From about half past ten in the evening until about half past twelve. Fire! God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, Not of the philosophers and scholars. Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace. God of Jesus Christ. (in a note found after his death)
• Anthony Bloom: “While I was reading the beginning of St. Mark’s Gospel, before I reached the third chapter, I suddenly became aware that on the other side of my desk there was a presence. And the certainty was so strong that it was Christ standing there that it has never left me. This was the real turning-point. Because Christ was alive and I had been in his presence I could say with certainty that what the Gospel said about the crucifixion of the prophet of Galilee was true...” (Introduction to School for Prayer)
Q. Do you believe it is still possible for us to have a personal encounter with God today?
• “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
• ““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:20-22)
• “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.’” (Acts 2:16-18)
Q. How much confidence (or faith) should we put in Mack’s insights into who God is and what he thinks?
• “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)
• “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” 1 Corinthians 4:2-4)
• “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
• “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:17-19)
• Job: “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” (Job 42:5-6)
• Abram at Moreh in Shechem: “the Lord appeared to Abram and said ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’" (Genesis 12:7)
• Abraham and the three visitors: “The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. 2 He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.” (Genesis 18:1-2)
• Lot and the visitor to Sodom: “When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.” (Genesis 19:15-17)
• Jacob and the ladder (Gen 28:10-22), the Wrestler: "... I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared." (Gen. 32:22-32), and the Voice (Gen. 35:9-15)
• Moses burning bush: “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.” (Exodus 3), Mt. Sinai – dense cloud, thunder, and lightening (Exodus 19:9,16), God’s back (Exodus 33:18-23), Moses on Mount Sinai: “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God...’" (Exodus 34)
• Face to face encounter: "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend..." (Exodus 33:11) "He [God] said, "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD..." (Num. 12:6-8)
• Group encounter with God: "Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they beheld God, and they ate and drank." (Exodus 24:9-11)
• Balaam’s and the talking donkey: “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.” (Numbers 22)
• Joshua and the armed warrior: “When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, ‘Are you friend or foe?’
‘Neither one,’ he replied. ‘I am the commander of the Lord’s army.’
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. ‘I am at your command,’ Joshua said. ‘What do you want your servant to do?’
The commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did as he was told.” (Joshua 5:13-15)
• Samson’s mother: The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. “(Judges 13)
• Gideon: “Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites.” (Judges 6:10-12)
• Samuel and the voice in the temple: “Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. ‘Here I am. Did you call me?’ Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel replied, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.’” (1 Samuel 3:7-10)
• Elijah: “Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.’” (1 Kings 19:6-8)
• Ezekiel: “On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1)
• Daniel: “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
• Isaiah's Commission: “I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6)Zebedee’s vision in the temple
• The disciples: “No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” (John 1:18)
• Baptism of Jesus : “...heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)Stephen’s vision of Jesus
• Saul on the road to Damascus : “... suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9)
• Paul caught up to the third heaven: “I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-3)
• Revelation of St. John: “... His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last..." (Rev 1)
Extra-biblical encounters with God
• Blaise Pascal: From about half past ten in the evening until about half past twelve. Fire! God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, Not of the philosophers and scholars. Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace. God of Jesus Christ. (in a note found after his death)
• Anthony Bloom: “While I was reading the beginning of St. Mark’s Gospel, before I reached the third chapter, I suddenly became aware that on the other side of my desk there was a presence. And the certainty was so strong that it was Christ standing there that it has never left me. This was the real turning-point. Because Christ was alive and I had been in his presence I could say with certainty that what the Gospel said about the crucifixion of the prophet of Galilee was true...” (Introduction to School for Prayer)
Q. Do you believe it is still possible for us to have a personal encounter with God today?
• “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
• ““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:20-22)
• “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.’” (Acts 2:16-18)
Q. How much confidence (or faith) should we put in Mack’s insights into who God is and what he thinks?
• “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)
• “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” 1 Corinthians 4:2-4)
• “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
• “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:17-19)
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