http://catholicexchange.com/2009/07/07/120173/ Catholic News, Catholic Articles, Catholic Apologetics, Catholic Content, Catholic Information Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 http://catholicexchange.com/2009/07/07/120173/comment-page-1/#comment-42413 ronpilgrim Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:29:27 +0000 http://catholicexchange.com/?p=120173#comment-42413 I don't think it's prudent to uncritically praise this novel without reflecting on the charges that it has elements contrary to our Faith, such as pantheism. Yes, the Trinity seems to be figured. Is that the only test of it, though, as good Catholic reading material? Jesus in the novel is like the guy next door, not in a glorified body, no Sacred Heart, no Divine Mercy, nothing Catholic, nothing of our Church's vision of Him as the Second Person of the Godhead, the Lamb of God, Our Savior. I am reading the novel. It's well written. I don't think, at this point, it passes Catholic theological muster. I don’t think it’s prudent to uncritically praise this novel without reflecting on the charges that it has elements contrary to our Faith, such as pantheism. Yes, the Trinity seems to be figured. Is that the only test of it, though, as good Catholic reading material? Jesus in the novel is like the guy next door, not in a glorified body, no Sacred Heart, no Divine Mercy, nothing Catholic, nothing of our Church’s vision of Him as the Second Person of the Godhead, the Lamb of God, Our Savior. I am reading the novel. It’s well written. I don’t think, at this point, it passes Catholic theological muster.

]]> http://catholicexchange.com/2009/07/07/120173/comment-page-1/#comment-42388 Robert Corley Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:50:16 +0000 http://catholicexchange.com/?p=120173#comment-42388 Rev. Robert Barron, Thank you for your thoughtful commentary on The Shack. I came away with a very similar sense of the story. I have come to view many non-Catholic Christians as good, even holy people who have embraced elements of God's truth. I believe that when one embraces a Truth of Gog they receive a special grace. Much of the holiness expressed in this story reflects the holy grace given to many. Many on Catholics seem to hold this view that it does not matter what church you go to -some even consider that church is not necessary. The contradiction of this attitude, rooted in defiance of authority (read-pride), is exemplified by the great logical proposition expoused by CS Lewis (himself a non-Catholic) when he argued that Jesus was either a liar, lunatic or the Son of God. The Catholic Church is either the church founded and loved by Jesus, or it (its members, holy ones, leaders) are lunatics, or they are liars. Mr. Young's distain of religion and minimization of organized church is exactly opposite of what Paul taught in his Epistles: that we are to agree on everything; praying, singing palms and hymns with thankful hearts. Alas I pray for the patience and strength to love and not condemn, especially in the face of a teaching that harms the very prize of God's desire: His Church. Let us pray for God's Church and all His people. Rev. Robert Barron,
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary on The Shack. I came away with a very similar sense of the story. I have come to view many non-Catholic Christians as good, even holy people who have embraced elements of God’s truth. I believe that when one embraces a Truth of Gog they receive a special grace. Much of the holiness expressed in this story reflects the holy grace given to many. Many on Catholics seem to hold this view that it does not matter what church you go to -some even consider that church is not necessary. The contradiction of this attitude, rooted in defiance of authority (read-pride), is exemplified by the great logical proposition expoused by CS Lewis (himself a non-Catholic) when he argued that Jesus was either a liar, lunatic or the Son of God. The Catholic Church is either the church founded and loved by Jesus, or it (its members, holy ones, leaders) are lunatics, or they are liars. Mr. Young’s distain of religion and minimization of organized church is exactly opposite of what Paul taught in his Epistles: that we are to agree on everything; praying, singing palms and hymns with thankful hearts. Alas I pray for the patience and strength to love and not condemn, especially in the face of a teaching that harms the very prize of God’s desire: His Church. Let us pray for God’s Church and all His people.

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