June 27, 2007
Ellul, The Shack and Theodicy
For those of you who don’t know ‘theology-speak’, the term ‘theodicy’ deals generally with the question, "How can a Good God and an Evil World, co-exist?" This is actually one of the central themes in The Shack - Mack finds himself in a situation that screams that question.
A few weeks ago, I ran across the following. I quote one of my all-time favorite authors, Jacques Ellul, who fell asleep a few years ago, but not before he wrote some of the most profound insights I have ever read. I should warn you though…if you decide to delve into some of his work, it is rather like slogging through wet concrete - very slow going because of the weight of his intellect and the translation issues from French to English - but if you persist, you will find diamonds everywhere.
He writes (and I quote this at length because of the wealth of thought it contains);
"Man is so much the prey of the powers, so closely associated with their work, enjoys himself so thoroughly to their profit, desires so much all that they offer, conceives his life to such a degree separated from God, that every approach of God, every positive work of God, appears to him as an unacceptable disturbance and finally an attack against him. When God comes to deliver him, he does not at all perceive his liberation; he protests against the breaking of those marvelous objects, which are his chains or the doors of his prison: the adoored chains. This is clearly the situation of Man."
"And we must take account of the fact that every work of liberation (the process of freeing us) is in fact destructive of the evil environment. And that which assures his liberty is felt by Man asa frightful personal offense. "How can God who is good permit…?" In uttering this phrase so grequently, Man does not envisage for a minute, first of all, that the evil deed is most often the result of the liberty that God allows to Man and of the independence and autonomy that man has seized over against God. Man is responsible for what is done (and he has wished it), but he protests against God for what is done. In short, he would demand that God mechanize him and take his liberty from him."
"Next, that evil also takes place by the interplay of the spiritual powers who act in the world and in society. Finally, that which does ‘evil’ to him can very well be the act of God who liberates him. But this liberation causes suffering. I don not know anything better to compare this to than to an operation. The surgeon who takes out a cnacer destroys the power of death to the profit of the living body. But he removes something of this body, which had become "flesh of his flesh’; he amputates something which had become the body itself. And the patient who does not know what has been done, from what he has been saved, could perfectly well interpret that as a frightful torture, as an illegitimate extracion, being aware only of the pain that remains after the operation is finished."
If you have already read The Shack, you will understand why this relates so well. In the book, I quote my favorite musician, Bruce Cockburn (pronounced Co-burn - which will probably be a relief to some of you), when he sings:
"Though chains be of gold…they are chain all the same."
In another song, Dweller by a Dark Stream, he sings:
" It could have been me put the thorns in your crown
Rooted as I am in a violent ground
How many times have I turned your promise down
Still you pour out your love…Pour out your love
I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you’ve done…Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
You entered a life like ours to give us back our own
You wanted us like you, as choosers not clones
You offered up your flesh and death was overthrown
Now salvation is ours…Salvation is ours
I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you’ve done…Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
So I’m walking this prison camp world
I long for a glimpse of the new world unfurled
The chrysalis cracking and moistened wings uncurl
Like in the vision John saw…The vision John saw
I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you’ve done…Jesus, thank-you joyous Son"
-willie
16 Comments on Ellul, The Shack and Theodicy »
June 27, 2007
kent @ 8:07 pm:
Willie,
Thanks again for following the spirit’s perfect timing. The thoughts from Ellul speak to me in a profound way. Like I said over on the shack forum, It’s been somewhat of a difficult time since Friday.
Papa amazes me…..sometimes ticks me off though. I’m glad these days that usually only last for a minute. You think something is one way only to find out something else is going on. You might have been right about what was going on externally around you…..but I am finding out that often there is something else planned for me as a side show. But thankfully, that side show ends up being my main event.
THE DEEPER THE LOVE GOES
THE DEEPER THE BRUISING
lOVE YA BRO.
September 2, 2007
Tina Johnson @ 7:24 pm:
I have just finished reading The Shack, and I love it. It has brought home how God has always been leading to, to rest in his love. I first heard your interview with Pastor Greg Albrecht on ptm.org and I bought the book.I can hardly wait for the follow-up interview, where you actually discuss the book. Thank you, for writing such a powerful work of fiction, am it lead many into a fuller relationship with God. Thank you, again.
Tina
October 23, 2007
stephen masters @ 8:22 pm:
I have just finished the shack.I am telling everyone I know about this book. thank you for revealing what God has shown you.
November 12, 2007
Jennie @ 8:59 am:
Dear Willie,
My daughter (Rachel) was so excited about your book and meeting you at the house church at Heart Change in Oregon City, where you signed a book for me. Having A GREAT SADNESS of our own, her comment to me was Mom, this book speaks our language!! After she heard you she was even more inspired. As I read this book, it captivated me the first time through, and the second time translated me into a one on one conversation in the very presence of God. Where a part of my heart was revealed and the lies hidden there. I agonized, cried a flood of tears, repented, and was a little more conformed to the truth. The details of what make The Great Sadness is unimportant , what is important is how God uses pain. Thank you for sharing with the world the priceless gems forged through your own journey of pain.
Jennie
December 17, 2007
Lorraine @ 10:24 am:
Thank you so much for writing this book! It has been such a breath of fresh air in a dry place in my life. God has used you in such a beautiful way to help all of us that are tired and thirsty. It has really helped me break some of the chains in my life and ideas of a hard and judging God into more of an approachable and loving…real God.
Thank you! And God bless you!
Love,
Lorraine
January 16, 2008
Jochannah @ 5:44 pm:
A friend gave me this book for my birthday. It is most Interesting how Our Amazing God answers our questioning hearts. I have had such deep hard questioning about how to Know Him and the terrible, terrible things going on around me were such a separation. WHY, Why. And then He sends this book into my hands, and I could only read halfway through and had to cry and pray much before I could continue, it really is personal. I finished it with wonder. It really has reached my soul, and I intend to read it again, because I truly need to search the wonder of Real True Love because I Heard God is Love but because I grew up without any, I realize now how hard it is for me to accept love, and believe it, but now I see something I never saw before. It is so freeing. God is everything, and everywhere, and I usually complain about people putting Him in a box, to discover that I built my own box for Him. So it will take time to really break out of the mold people,including me built, but I am so hopeful and excited and He has answered some real, hard questions. This book is a blessing in many ways I am going forward on this journey with new direction. and I will find the Real Joy that Jesus said He came to bring. I have been missing that. Wonder is sometimes lost in our world, but this book brought it back to me. The words are so real and so beautiful, I now have a better understanding of Glory and what is awaiting us! May we all key into it now!!!!! I will try to start thinking “Papa” wow!?
February 4, 2008
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March 27, 2008
Linda @ 10:53 am:
This wonderful “fiction” writing is by far the most truth I have ever found anywhere. I just finished The Shack, and have e-mailed the web site to everyone in my address book.
The book was loaned to me be one of my daughters, and I am on my way to purchase it for myself, to read again and digest, then pass it on to other believers and non-believer friends. We all get such insight of the Trinity. How blessed we are, to be a part of God’s teachings, put in such understanding terms. Thank you Papa!!!
April 2, 2008
Andrew Truitt @ 11:40 pm:
Hello Mr. Young, (I sometimes refer to you as “my boy Willie” when I’m talking with my friends)
I enjoy the thoughtfulness of writing, and am challenged to be more thoughtful in my own life. Most of all, I appreciate your humility born out of a relationship with Him who you call Papa. Thank you!
With regard to this post about Ellul, The Shack, and Theodicy, I felt like a should share poem with you. Indeed Ellul is correct in his synopsis of the “situation of man.” It is my situation, it is your situation. And though I know the Joy that is Jesus, I wonder at how quickly I consider giving it up when I become “prey of the powers”.
I wrote this poem as I struggled to Trust God’s sufficient Grace to sustain me through my pain, instead of my own methods of soothing my pain. I choose Freedom more and more, and every time I do, I give myself a chance to know that His Grace is sufficient!
I am depraved and wretched and He who you call Papa loves me. This is the Joy!
Choice to Make
Tormented. Chains binding.
Seeking Freedom, but not finding.
Tormented. Chains undone.
Seeing Freedom. Afraid to run.
Tormented. Chains calling.
Hearing Freedom. Jailward falling.
Tormented. Choice to make.
Chains adore or Chains forsake.
Tormented. Freedom waiting.
Seeing Freedom. Hesitating.
Tormented. Chains are known.
Feeling Freedom. Feeling alone.
Tormented. Here I stand.
Feet in Chains. Freedom at hand.
Tormented. Choice to make.
Freedom leave or Freedom take.
Andrew R. Truitt
October 20, 2006
May 15, 2008
Sue @ 7:17 am:
Andrew, excellent poem, thank you for posting.
June 7, 2008
julie @ 5:28 pm:
I just wanted to say that this was a very different way of looking into religion and God. It has made me think on a very different level. I am going to get everyone that I know to read it. I have enjoyed this and will be looking for more of your writings. Thank you
Julie
June 10, 2008
judy @ 8:01 pm:
Andrew,what a great poem! And THE SHACK what a revelation. I once knew “Papa” like you describe but decades later I seem to be made of stone, a robot going through the motions. If I go to church all I do is cry, thus, I don’t go. Too much pain and rejection over the years, I do a good job of convincing myself though that God still cares about me. I do know He loves others because I am always serving them. My husband is blind as is his brother, my husband only wants to drink, his brother is much better at handling it. I was diagnosed with leukemia.I do have 4 great kids and the 7th grandchild on the way. I am grateful but dead.(that was funny,even to me)
June 22, 2008
Dave @ 2:45 pm:
Really enjoyed this book. I have been a UGE fan of Bruce Cockburn for years and it is very clear that you are too!
“Maybe The Poet” and “Creation Dream” seemed to come alive to me in this book.
I haven’t fully digested it all yet, but it is certainly a breath of fresh air!
Regards,
Dave
June 24, 2008
Debby Suwanee, Georgia @ 7:02 am:
Dear Paul,
I have never been so touched by a book. I have never felt more engulfed by the love of God. I have never grasped the concept of The Trinity so beautifully. I read the book so quickly that I am reading it again to savor it’s beauty. I have purchased 11 additional copies of The Shack to share with friends and family. I wish I could afford to carry a case of them with me and hand them out to random strangers. I know that this book was inspired by God. I know he is well pleased with you, Paul. What a gift you have given to your wife and children and to all the rest of us as well. I never want to leave The Shack.
Grace,
Debby
July 17, 2008
Wanda @ 12:20 pm:
This wonderful work has opened new vision for me. I ache for the relationship Mack develops with Papa, Jesus and Sarayu. It is so beautiful. I have felt sadness, despair, confusion, experienced shock, awe, joy, and a sense of peace while reading this book.. God is awesome and I believe he has used this medium to reach people like myself who, although we love Him, we still don’t completely trust in Him or His Love for us as his children. Thank you Lord for speaking to me through this book. I was loaned this by a very dear friend, and I will pass it on. However, I intend to purchase another for myself. I still have a lot to learn from it about myself and my relationship with My Lord and Saviour.
July 24, 2008
Sonia Brownless @ 12:13 am:
Dear Paul,
Thank you..Thank you…Thank you. Your sharing of your insight has blessed my home and family many times over. My husband and I read the book and have now shared many copies with our friends and family. Your book has helped my accept how I understand our being and living in Jesus, the Father and Holy Ghost. I have experienced many things my relationship with the Trinity that would be on the fringe of crazy and definitly not fit with religion. I had been searching for someone who was a believer that i could share with. you shared with me so much in your book. I myself have always struggled with religion though I was raised in a “christian” home all my life. I shared much of the same pain, and deep suffering. This book resonated with me greatly and gave me so much confirmation. Thank you again. We look forward to seeing you at Breakforth in Edmonton, Alberta in January 2009.
August 4, 2008
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