Monday, January 12, 2009

The Shack
What's God look like?

I'm starting a new book discussion group on the #1 Bestselling book of 2008 - The Shack by William P. Young. It's an interesting book, an analogy - of fiction story - that seeks to explain and dialogue about the nature and identity of God, viewed through the orthodox Christian vision of the Trinity. It's quite fun as it's not the "orthodox" read that you would expect. God is an older African-American woman, Jesus a Middle-Eastern construction guy, and the Holy Spirit a mysterious gardening pan-Asian woman.

How do you envision God? Do you have trouble doing so? Is it painful to do so? Why? I'm including several scanned pages (82-87 - click on each image to enlargen it and make it readable) from the Shack to get the discussion rolling [it's the portion when the protagonist meets God]. If you've read it what do you think? How does it speak to you, or not speak to you?

We're meeting to discuss the book up through chapter 9 - p. 138 - several times in Oakland this month. Come and join me for coffee and great discussion.

Tuesday, January 13th from 6:00-7:00pm

at Peet’s Coffee in the Dimond District

across from Farmer Joe’s on Fruitvale Avenue


Wednesday, January 21st from 3:00 - 4:00pm

at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church [in the library]


Thursday, January 22nd from 6:00-7:00pm

at World Grounds Café in the Laurel District

3726 Macarthur Blvd, Oakland - (510) 482-2933

http://www.worldgroundcafe.com/



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