The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Not a CS Lewis fan

In googling around the net-sphere about The Shack. I read a lot about the movie being blasphemous in its portrayal of the Godhead. I am in full agreement with those sentiments. But just to be squirmy, what would be the difference between The Shack and CS Lewis writings, which many Christians almost put on the level of sacred writings.

I have not read The Shack and won't, nor have I viewed the movie and have no intention of watching it either. From what I have learned about it the Shack, has some blasphemous portrayals of the godhead as you pointed out. C.S. Lewis is not one to look to for good theology certainly but he is a wonderful writer and his works of fiction, as long as you do not draw from it any theological conclusions, are great. I have read a lot of Lewis over the years and enjoyed them very much. His theology has been dealt with in previous threads which may help answer your question.

As indicated 'The Shack' has some blasphemous portrayals of the godhead. Yet there are a number of equally blasphemous things in the book. Such as absolutely no mention of sin or repentance in the book, despite the fact it had ample opportunity to. It also portrays a form of universalism.
I myself have read the book about 9 years ago, mainly because I was told by a teacher whom I had a lot of respect for at the time, that it was one of his absolute favourite books. He said that for the last several years he used it as a class assignment for his grade 6 classes.
As for readability, although this is somewhat subjective to the person reading it; I found the fact that it had the ability to tug at the heart strings, in such a way that if I was not careful I would forget all about discernment. Perhaps, this was the most dangerous aspect about the book.
Shortly after I read the book, I was invited to an internet forum to talk about the book. What I found was very shocking to say the least. The audience in the forum were people of all kinds of religious persuasion, including Reformed Christians, whom I soon learned were ridiculed for their views on the book. For a time I participated; but found it to be a waste of time. A common thing I read was that the book gave them a new understanding of God and His love for us. Another person said that anyone who criticizes the book is being nitpicky, saying it is a novel not a theology book.
This simply is not true, because the author wrote it to reflect his beliefs.
The thing that actually made me leave was a dialogue I had with a Southern Baptist professor who stated something to me that I had not heard before. He said that the only reason I don't like the book is because I am a Calvinist and Calvinists are not true Trinitarians, they are Tritheists. Where he got that I have no idea.; even Dave Hunt, a noted Calvinist hater, wrote against the book.
About CS Lewis, not sure if portraying Jesus as a lion is blasphemous or not. However, I do have a problem with CS Lewis’s “ransom theology”(i.e. a ransom paid to Satan).
Tom

What better understanding could anyone have of God's love; for His Son/Christ and for His elect than what God Himself has put into writing in Scripture? Just Romans 8 (Trinity exalted in salvation) and Ephesians 1:1-14 should bring anyone who has a new heart of flesh to the point of tears concerning God's infinite grace, mercy and love for them. And, a true Christian doesn't read the Bible alone, but the indwelling Spirit opens one's mind and heart to the glory of God and His infallible truth contained therein. Conversely, this same Spirit gives wisdom and discernment to the children of God who will not be carried away by such blasphemous drivel as The Shack. Why would anyone who names the name of Christ say anything positive about The Shack? PC has most definitely made inroads in the church as has the world's philosophy and practice.

- Wikipedia article on The Shack

The Southern Baptist professor is unquestionably wrong. No true Calvinist embraces Tritheism, which is heresy of the first order, openly rejected by Athanasius and his creed certainly makes that clear. How many times have I said on this board that most every heresy ever to make entrance into the Church has come from professors, teachers, elders and those in authority?

- Wikipedia article on Tritheism

The Shack is a very bad book from the perspective of the trinity, as God makes it very clear that we are not to mock Him as that book does! Just shows how illiterate many are on biblical issues today, and also pretty sure that Calvinist have on the whole held to a trintarian viewpoint, but also know big discussions on eternal subordination of the Son or not!

Pilgrim, indeed what better understanding of God's love...?
What I understand them to really be saying (although they would not admit this) is they want their ears tickled and they want a Gid after their own image (a warm and fuzzy one)

In case I left any doubt at my thoughts on being accused of being a Tritheist, let me state that although before this I had never even heard of a Tritheist. Never the less, upon looking into what a Tritheist was I had no doubt in my mind that the professor was wrong.
Why he would even make such a claim boggles my mind. I have been accused of a lot of things as a Calvinist, but not that. He was the first I have heard to make that claim about Calvinists and in the years sinse I have yet to hear that accusation again. Not sure if anyone else on this forum has?

Tom

What would be differences between say Mormon view on the trinity of theirs, and Modulaism as TJ Jakes gives forth?