The Shack by William Paul Young
Week 7: Chapter 7 — God on the Dock
Read Chapter 7 of The Shack.
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Mack finally voices his rage and accusation toward God — this is one of the most emotionally honest chapters in the book, and it deserves your full attention.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.The chapter title echoes C.S. Lewis's phrase about humans putting God "on trial." Mack essentially does this — he accuses God of negligence, indifference, and cruelty in allowing Missy to die. Do you think it is faithful or unfaithful to accuse God? What do the Psalms suggest about this?
2.Papa does not defend herself with abstract arguments. Instead, she shows Mack her scars — the nail marks from the cross — indicating that she too was present at Golgotha, that the Trinity suffered together in the crucifixion. How does this image reshape the argument that God was absent when Missy died?
3.Young makes the striking claim that God did not simply watch the crucifixion from a distance — that the Father and Spirit were present in the suffering of the Son. Do you find this theologically satisfying, or does it raise more questions for you? Why?
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