The Shack Revisited by William Paul Young
Week 3: Chapter 2 — The Trinitarian Dance
Read Chapter 2 of The Shack Revisited. Primary Bible passage: John 17:20-26.
Previewing Week 3 of The Shack Revisited
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
This chapter is the theological heart of the whole book — Kruger introduces the idea of perichoresis, the eternal 'dance' of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and asks what happens when human beings are drawn into that dance. Read slowly and let the images do their work.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Kruger introduces the Greek theological term perichoresis to describe the mutual indwelling of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Before reading any further definition, try to describe in your own words what you think it means for three persons to mutually indwell one another.
2.Kruger uses the image of a dance to describe the inner life of the Trinity. What makes that image helpful? What are its limitations? What does it capture about the relationship of the three Persons that more static language (like "three-in-one") might miss?
3.Kruger draws on John 17, where Jesus prays that his disciples "may be one as we are one" and that they would be "in us." What is the staggering claim Jesus is making here? How does Kruger interpret this prayer in terms of the perichoresis?
a.Had you previously understood this prayer as an invitation into the very life of the Trinity? What changes if you read it that way?
b.What would it mean practically to live as someone who is already "inside" the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit?