In this chapter Mack finally puts it to God. You’ve probably been waiting for this- when is he going to really lay it out on the table and ask the quesion he’s been thinking, not just asking, but expressing the anger and emotion that’s pent up inside. It’s something all of us would like to do sometime. God, how can you allow all this evil, how can you allow the evil and suffering that’s touched my life? How can it possible be worth it? No matter what you say, I can’t understand why you would let it all happen.
Overall, I love the response of Papa. Papa doesn’t explain himself. He doesn’t try to answer Mack’s question perfectly. He tells Mack that there are answers, millions of answers, that it’s all ultimately for the good of the world, but that Mack’s view is simply too limited to understand. Finally, Papa says Mack will have to trust, and here’s where a quote comes in that I think is worth the price of the book alone. “Mackenzie, you cannot produce trust just like you cannot ‘do’ humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in whcih you know you ar love loved.” (126)
Finally, we have to trust God and give him a chance to show his love. He is a loving God and we will know it if we just quit pushing him out of our lives.
Some powerful stuff, huh.
I do have a few issues with this chapter. In relation to the stuff above, I think Mack probably needs a tender God, but part of me wonders if some of his obstinance might need a little law too. We don’t get to see that side of God very much in this book. Also, there’s a lot of discussion about hierarchy that frankly is not Scriptural. First off, God acts as if hierarchy is an idea he couldn’t even comprehend, which is a little condescending. More importantly, God speaks of hierarchy and roles within the trinity all the time. Just read through the Gospel of John as Jesus speaks of the Father who sent him, of the Father’s mission, of how he and the Father send the Spirit, etc. It’s not about power or manipulation, I agree there. It’s not about one being greater than the other. There I also agree. But there are roles and an orthodox hierarchy. This is simply what Scripture reveals. And thus there’s a place in our world for loving relationships involving roles and hierarchy as well.
Just a few thoughts in another deep chapter. If you want to comment on anything else, always feel free.
Tags: God allow evil, hierarchy, relationship, The Shack, trust