Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Book In Progress...

This is the book that I am halfway into.  I hear that there is a lot of heated discussion among people who would label themselves as Christians as to whether this book is "Biblically Sound" or presents a false depiction of God.  So far, I would say that it is a creative, colorful and elaborate depiction of William P. Young's view of God, and I honestly don't see anything wrong with that coming from a novel housed in the fiction section of your local bookstore.  I realize that this author has something to say about God; who He is, how He loves, what He is weaving into our lives (when we let Him).  I feel like I am at the point in the story where we have just begun to unravel the mystery, and I find myself coming back to this book frequently when I have a pocket of 10 minutes here and there during my day.

Like I said, I am only halfway through, so I may have to stand corrected if I get to the end and he has gone off the deep end into all sorts of false statements about God.  But so far, I can say that I have been refreshed and inspired, and I am trying to open my eyes to see how I may have falsely put God...or Jesus...or the Holy Spirit into a box that was fashioned by the "church" and not by what is in God's word.  If I say too much more, I might give something away....

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 6, page 97..."Mackenzie, 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 it still 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."

One more, page 100..."A bird's not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly.  Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions that I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in My image."

I would love to hear other thoughts on this book, from those who have read it, plan to read it, or are steering clear of it!

4 comments:

Karah said...

Hmmmm looks interesting! I'll check it out at our library run next week and let you know what I think :)

julia d. hull said...

Of course, I picked this book up because of your post...I'm so out of the loop, I didn't hear about the book or the controversary. But since I love both...teehee...
Anyway, I'm halfway through and I'm LOVING it!! I'll let you know when I'm done with it.

Karah said...

I finished it today! Well started AND finished it today - I couldn't put it down. And my GOSH the headache I had from all the suppressed crying (kids all around - didn't need the questioning if I let it all out and started bawling LOL).

I think it was an amazing book. And it opened my eyes and really made me look at myself. I had a dream last week that someone took Tiana. So the book really struck home as it was one of those SUPER SUPER realistic dreams that you just can't shake off for days. I think the analogies in the book were fantastic - and I really love that the author didn't attempt to explain EVERYTHING - kwim? That there is so much about God that we just cannot begin to comprehend or understand.

And while I'm no theologian, I don't really see where it was biblically unsound. I think some of it is the author's own interpretation of scripture, of course - but I didn't read anything that (in my opinion - PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!!) went directly against the Bible.

I don't think I've ever read anything EVER that gave me such a vivid and real understanding of who God is - of how He loves us.

So thank you for the book recommendation!!! It was so enlightening, and really and entertaining read as well - although a very DIFFICULT read. :)

LeeAnn said...

So, did you finish the book? I really enjoyed it and want to read it again to digest a little more. I thought the portrayal of God was fasinating and so real. I could relate to so many different aspects of what I've experienced with Him - all of the "Hims"...