From the prophet Isaiah, we get a glimpse of what he sees and hears as
he finds himself in heaven, in God's presence, among the angels and
convicted of his own sin. We also get a peak at God's plan for the
forgiveness of all who will believe and receive Jesus Christ as their
Savior and Lord. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Monday, October 16, 2017
Friday, June 9, 2017
God Does Not Reside in “The Shack”
It’s no surprise that mankind continues its desire to “connect” with God. That’s been going on since the days of Adam and Eve. There are no shortages of man-made gods or religions all designed to fulfill that deep longing to “connect” with God. Men and women have written innumerable volumes attempting to describe, define, and explain or even to contain God so that mankind may better be able to “connect” with Him.
One of the latest attempts comes in the form of a book and, now, a movie, “The Shack.” The book was released almost ten years ago in 2007, the movie in March of 2017, almost ten years later. When the book first came out, I was given a copy and asked to read it and share my opinion of it with the person who gave it to me.
Since the book was first published, much has been written as to what this book is and what it is not. Many scholars and theologians have rightly critiqued and compared this book to the Bible. They have well documented the theological errors, heresies and doctrinal inaccuracies found in “The Shack” and those writings are still available online.
It’s interesting that the movie has come out ten years later. It seems odd that so much time has passed and now it returns to a new audience in the form of a visual story as opposed to a written one. Our culture has become so entrenched in visual form of entertainment that, perhaps, those responsible for the film are simply seeking to cash in on another form of entertainment.
For believers, to read or not read this book, to see or not see the movie, is your own personal choice. However, there are some things to remember and pay close attention to:
Bookstores are filled with books written by men and women, most with good intent, who desire to “explain” God to the average person. Many, many people purchase these books, again, with good intent, with the desire to “connect” with God.
What is fascinating is that so many people are so willing to spend their hard-earned money on books written about God by men and women rather than to simply open and read the one book that was written by God Himself, their very own Bibles.
If your desire is to “connect” with the one true God, to better understand Who He really is, a good place to start is by reading and studying the last four chapters of the Book of Job, chapters 38-41. It is in these chapters that you will learn about the One and only all knowing, all-powerful, ever-present God.
There is no shortage of books written in an effort to educate people about God. There is only one book written by the One whom we are all trying to know better, it’s called the Bible. Sadly, the level of interest in reading and studying it, as opposed to other books, is far too low, especially as we are seeing what’s happening in our country and around the world.
The apostle Paul wrote the following to Timothy, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (1 Timothy 4:1-4). Paul’s words have never been more appropriate than in our day and time. Be careful what you read; be careful what to accept as “truth” about God.
“The Shack” is fiction; the Bible is absolute truth. “The Shack” is entertainment at best; the Bible is God’s Word written by Him through His Holy Spirit to reveal mankind’s desperate need for a Savior. “The Shack” is the product of the author’s imagination, admittedly fiction; the Bible is nothing less than God revealing His attributes, His character, His love for mankind, and, most importantly, the revelation of Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The God of the Bible does not reside in “The Shack.” He resides in His heaven and, by His Holy Spirit, in the lives of every true believer.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to learn more about Him from His Word.
By His Grace,
Dr. Gary T. Dromi
One of the latest attempts comes in the form of a book and, now, a movie, “The Shack.” The book was released almost ten years ago in 2007, the movie in March of 2017, almost ten years later. When the book first came out, I was given a copy and asked to read it and share my opinion of it with the person who gave it to me.
Since the book was first published, much has been written as to what this book is and what it is not. Many scholars and theologians have rightly critiqued and compared this book to the Bible. They have well documented the theological errors, heresies and doctrinal inaccuracies found in “The Shack” and those writings are still available online.
It’s interesting that the movie has come out ten years later. It seems odd that so much time has passed and now it returns to a new audience in the form of a visual story as opposed to a written one. Our culture has become so entrenched in visual form of entertainment that, perhaps, those responsible for the film are simply seeking to cash in on another form of entertainment.
For believers, to read or not read this book, to see or not see the movie, is your own personal choice. However, there are some things to remember and pay close attention to:
- By the authors own admission, “The Shack” is a novel, which, by definition is fiction, that means it's a made up story, and, therefore, not real. Fiction allows the author to have as much creative license as he/she desires. The point to remember is that “The Shack” is fiction. Therefore, any attempt to connect this fictional work with the God of the Bible is silly at best and dangerous at worst.
- For believers, and unbelievers who really want to “connect” with the one and only God of the universe, the Creator and Sustainer of all creation, there is only one book that will allow you to better know Him, and that is the Bible, the Word of God.
Bookstores are filled with books written by men and women, most with good intent, who desire to “explain” God to the average person. Many, many people purchase these books, again, with good intent, with the desire to “connect” with God.
What is fascinating is that so many people are so willing to spend their hard-earned money on books written about God by men and women rather than to simply open and read the one book that was written by God Himself, their very own Bibles.
If your desire is to “connect” with the one true God, to better understand Who He really is, a good place to start is by reading and studying the last four chapters of the Book of Job, chapters 38-41. It is in these chapters that you will learn about the One and only all knowing, all-powerful, ever-present God.
There is no shortage of books written in an effort to educate people about God. There is only one book written by the One whom we are all trying to know better, it’s called the Bible. Sadly, the level of interest in reading and studying it, as opposed to other books, is far too low, especially as we are seeing what’s happening in our country and around the world.
The apostle Paul wrote the following to Timothy, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (1 Timothy 4:1-4). Paul’s words have never been more appropriate than in our day and time. Be careful what you read; be careful what to accept as “truth” about God.
“The Shack” is fiction; the Bible is absolute truth. “The Shack” is entertainment at best; the Bible is God’s Word written by Him through His Holy Spirit to reveal mankind’s desperate need for a Savior. “The Shack” is the product of the author’s imagination, admittedly fiction; the Bible is nothing less than God revealing His attributes, His character, His love for mankind, and, most importantly, the revelation of Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The God of the Bible does not reside in “The Shack.” He resides in His heaven and, by His Holy Spirit, in the lives of every true believer.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to learn more about Him from His Word.
By His Grace,
Dr. Gary T. Dromi
Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Mal Couch Legacy Collection - Complete!
It is with great joy that I share with all of you that the last book in "The Mal Couch Legacy Collection, Theology: The God of the Bible", is now complete and available for purchase on Amazon along with the other five books.
It has been an honor and a privilege to be the editor of this wonderful project. As many of you know, Dr. Couch was an amazing servant of God who touched the lives of countless numbers of people through his founding of Tyndale Theological Seminary, through his teaching, through his books and through so many other areas of his life.
His legacy and his passion for God and the truth of God’s Word, live on through his students and his writings.
All six of the books in The Mal Couch Legacy Collection are outstanding works that can be used for personal study, group study or the discipleship of believers wherever they may be in their spiritual walk with our Lord.
I would recommend that the books be read in the following sequence: (1) The Doctrine of Sin; (2) The Doctrine of Salvation; (3) The Doctrine of the Church; (4) God Has Spoken; (5) The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; (6) Theology: The God of the Bible. This sequence will give you an excellent flow of the problem of man’s sinful condition, God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, what, exactly, is the Church, a powerful look at God’s recorded Word, an explanation of who the Holy Spirit truly is, His ministry and His role in the salvation of people, and finally, a look who God really is, as He has revealed Himself through the Bible.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to grow in grace and knowledge through these outstanding books left to us by Dr. Mal Couch.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D.
--
“… grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
It has been an honor and a privilege to be the editor of this wonderful project. As many of you know, Dr. Couch was an amazing servant of God who touched the lives of countless numbers of people through his founding of Tyndale Theological Seminary, through his teaching, through his books and through so many other areas of his life.
His legacy and his passion for God and the truth of God’s Word, live on through his students and his writings.
All six of the books in The Mal Couch Legacy Collection are outstanding works that can be used for personal study, group study or the discipleship of believers wherever they may be in their spiritual walk with our Lord.
I would recommend that the books be read in the following sequence: (1) The Doctrine of Sin; (2) The Doctrine of Salvation; (3) The Doctrine of the Church; (4) God Has Spoken; (5) The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; (6) Theology: The God of the Bible. This sequence will give you an excellent flow of the problem of man’s sinful condition, God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, what, exactly, is the Church, a powerful look at God’s recorded Word, an explanation of who the Holy Spirit truly is, His ministry and His role in the salvation of people, and finally, a look who God really is, as He has revealed Himself through the Bible.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to grow in grace and knowledge through these outstanding books left to us by Dr. Mal Couch.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D.
--
“… grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
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