Another “image” of the Trinity, courtesy of The Shack (Dale)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit?

A professor friend emailed me recently:

I’ve lately been reading a book (at a student’s request) …a piece of bad Christian fiction called “The Shack” by William P. Young. … it might interest you in light of your trinitarian research. The persons of the Trinity make an appearance in the story: God the Father as a large black woman, God the Son as middle-Eastern carpenter (go figure!), and the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman. I’m certain that there’s heresy lurking nearby.

Just thought I’d pass it along. It is apparently gaining some popularity among some segments of the evangelical subculture – hence, my student’s request that I read it. (link and emphases added)

I can’t speak to the book’s artistic merits, but I’ll trust my friend on that. As to theological merits, heresy or not, there’s certainly social trinitarianism lurking nearby! 🙂 Who would’ve guessed the Divine Society was so “diverse”? At least they let Jesus remain male… And it arguably beats the gay men’s chorus.

According to this much read review, this society is also maximally egalitarian (see the Trinity section of the review).

Update: a more sympathetic review at Christianity Today.