Actually, there are a number of sites that if they condemn something it makes me more likely to listen/read it as that usually means they've got something worth hearing <grin>.
I know that I’ll have “made it” once I’m labelled a heretic.
In the case of “The Shack”, the official released statement was that the Editor felt that certain sections of the book could have been taken as endorsing “Universalism” and so after discussions with the Author he rewrote those sections.
When people get narrow minded enough to look through a keyhole with both eyes they will look for something to hate in something, rather than seeing the good.
I personally think that it’s mainly one of 2 reasons. Either intellectual pride (God NEEDS me!) or just defensiveness for a badly hurt spirit, the need to crush everything down so that can point to someone/thing and sooth their conscience that they’re not as bad as THOSES people.
Once you know what inadequacy REALLY is (ie. meet God) and realise that He not only loves you, but likes you and prefers you anyway (in fact is captivated by you – see Song of Solomon 4:9) you can rest in your inadequacy, because He makes you more than adequate in Jesus.
Main Entry:
her·e·tic Pronunciation: \ˈher-ə-ˌtik, ˈhe-rə-\Function:
nounDate: 14th century
1 : a dissenter from established religious dogma;
especially : a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church who disavows a revealed truth<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">
2 : one who dissents from an accepted belief or doctrine
I'm with you on this Grat, in light of this definition some of my best friends are regarded as heretics including my very best friend Jesus.
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
I've yet to read "The Shack" but IMO some of those who have read it entirely and condemn it ( through online forums ) struggle to understand through experience the love of God and this is evident in their posts. In contrast, an ever growing and deepening enlightenment of God's love is very resident in the posts of some who have expressed their enjoyment of "The Shack".[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
The religious act of scriptural correctness (as determined in our own minds) can have a less than desired outcome just as it did with the pharisees during Jesus' earthly ministry. It gets in the way, so to speak, of the personal intimacy with God and in many cases seems to result in a hardened heart.[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
Paul said he was so scripturally correct that no one could find any fault in him yet he was hunting down and killing Christians. You see thats how the religious mind works. Which is why we find so much encouragement in the scriptures to know the love of God, not through intellect but rather through experience via HolySpirit.[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
Eph 3:19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
1Jo 4:18Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
Religious fantasy is the enemy of spiritual reality, Paul said the knowledge puffs up but love builds up. So which is better, something solid or something full of hot air, with all the fiery darts flying around I prefer something solid something built by love.[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"] [/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]
[font="Verdana][size="3"]
[/size][/font]