Today I would like to talk about the roles and "heirarchy" of the Trinity, something the Shack muddles. In various places during the story of Mack spending time with the Trinity at the shack, references are made to the relationship between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
In scripture we find that each member of the Trinity has clearly defined functions and all work together in perfect harmony. We see the Trinity working in creation, God the Father speaks and the universe is brought into being, the Son carrying out the work of creation and the Holy Spirit manifesting God's presence over it.
Again we see the Trinity working in the redemption of mankind. God the Father sends His Son, the Son is obedient to the Father in the work of this redemption (the cross and resurrection), and then the Holy Spirit is sent by the Son to apply this redemption to God's children.
There is very much a hierarchy in the Trinity. Jesus said "I do the will of the Father" and later on when referring to the Holy Spirit said , "I will send Him to you". In reading the scriptures we see a definite pattern of the Father taking the lead and exercising a degree of authority over His Son, Jesus.
Scripture clearly expresses that both authority and submission are biblical in nature. There are so many references all over the Old and New Testament. While there is submission and authority, scripture also maintains each have equality in worth and essence. This view of submission and authority in the Trinity is not just lacking in the Shack, but is expressly contradicted.
When Mack is talking to Sarayu (the persona of the Holy Spirit) she says of the Trinity :
"Mack, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command...Hierarchy would make no sense among us". Then Mack replies "But every human institution that I can think of, from political to business, even down to marriage, is governed by this kind of thinking".
Papa (persona of God) responds "Such a waste".
1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ".
John 6:38 Jesus says "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me".
John 8:28 Jesus says "I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me."
For the Shack to portray God as saying "Hierarchy makes no sense to us" is misguided and completely the opposite of what God tells us in His Word. The concept of final authority is clearly God's in scripture whereas the Shack says "we have no concept of final authority among us".
When Mack refers to authority and hierarchy in marriage and "God" responds "such a waste" is again contrary to the Word of God. All in all, the Shack has muddled and is contrary to what the Word of God says about authority, hierarchy and it's outworking in the Trinity and here on earth.
Speak to you soon.
Brad
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