Faith & Film

Easter 2A

The Shack (2017)

John 20:19-31—Understanding Forgiveness Scene

Easter 2A

The Movie Shack, released in 2017, is a powerful story about a man named Mack Phillips who struggles with the aftermath of unspeakable tragedy. The film, directed by Stuart Hazeldine, delves into themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption, echoing the themes of John Chapter 20:19-31.

John 20:19-31 narrates the story of the first appearance of Jesus to the disciples after his resurrection. Initially, the disciples are afraid and locked in a room, unsure of what will happen next. Suddenly, Jesus appears to them, blessing them with peace and the Holy Spirit, effectively encouraging them to believe in him.

Similarly, in The Shack, Mack Phillips is plagued by immense grief after the abduction and murder of his youngest daughter, Missy. He is understandably angry at God, questioning His existence in his life altogether. However, like in the biblical narrative, God appears to Mack, but not in the form of Jesus like in the Bible. Instead, He comes in various forms to help Mack understand his pain and heal from it. The forms He appears in are undoubtedly unique and allow Mack to see different perspectives of God’s love towards him.

In fact, Mack’s experiences at the shack mirror the events following the resurrection of Jesus. Just as Jesus showed up to the apostles in physical form, metaphorically, God shows up at the shack to comfort and heal Mack’s broken heart. The appearance of the Holy Spirit through another earthly form emphasizes love and encouragement to the disciples, the apostles in John 20:19-31, whereas God’s manifested presence in different human forms, in The Shack, emphasizes God’s personal understanding and working with all individuals as they are.

John 20:24-25 describes how Thomas initially doubted Jesus’s resurrection but was eventually convinced after seeing His wounds. Mack, who also experiences his fair share of doubts and struggles with forgiving his daughter’s killer, recognizes how much he depended on his own assumptions and perspectives before encountering God-insarced in different friendly conversations. Thomas’s ultimate recognition of Jesus is a reflection of Mack coming to the realization that God is beckoning him to come to new “Truths,” different from what he knew instead of what he’s assumed.

Similarly, John 20:30-31 indicates how the signs that Jesus did were written in the holy gospel, aiming towards a compelling belief in Christ. These signs point to his mission to save humanity, and anyone who believes in Him shall have eternal life. The Shack highlights how God’s supernatural intervention through earthly forms illustrates this generous provision of Salvation made accessible to everyone, regardless of their decision or discernment capacity. The main purpose, just like in John 20:31, is for one to find comfort and find refuge in the hope that the Gospel promises.

Moreover, in, John 20:26-28, Jesus shows himself bodily to the disciples, particularly Thomas, confirming that He indeed rose from the dead. This incident points to the subsequent revelation by Thomas, who confesses His faith in Jesus after briefly seeing and talking to him. In The Shack, as much as this is in contrast to the story of the Bible, God reveals himself in a multitude of forms to Mack to help him come into a greater understanding of his love and plan for humanity.

Furthermore, like in John 20:29, where Jesus gently suggests belief without seeing Him, Mack addresses him some of his doubts and fears about “believing” in him; Mack chooses to trust God even when faced with moments of pain he has experienced. Through his conversations and experiences with God, he learns to relinquish control, trusting God while still being cautious not to be presumptuous whenever God speaks with Him.

In conclusion, The Shack signifies a unique story like John’s gospel that seeks to communicate with the viewers the vastness of God’s love and hope beyond mere human understanding. Just like the gospel, through Jesus’s physical resurrection, God reveals Himself to humanity, ultimately leading them to experience love, hope, and joy. The Shack, although a fictional storyline, adeptly captures the essence of John 20:19-31, touching on themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption. Hopefully, this essay highlights some of the similarities in both.

Trailer for the Shack (2017)

The Shack, directed by Stuart Hazeldine, is a movie that tackles the challenging themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption. The film is based on the novel of the same name by William P. Young and follows the story of Mackenzie Phillips, played by Sam Worthington, a grieving father who receives a mysterious invitation to meet with God in the place where his daughter was abducted and presumably murdered. The Shack is a heartrending and poignant portrayal of Mack’s journey towards forgiveness and reconciliation.

At its core, The Shack is a story about forgiveness. The movie grapples with the question of how one can forgive someone who has caused you profound pain and suffering. It shows that forgiveness is a process that requires both vulnerability and courage. By exploring the theme of forgiveness, The Shack invites its viewers to reflect on the importance of compassion, grace, and mercy.

Mack’s journey towards forgiveness is a slow and arduous one, but it is one that ultimately leads him to a place of healing and peace. Early on in the movie, Mack is consumed by rage and bitterness towards his daughter’s killer, and he is unable to move forward in his life. However, as he begins to engage with God, played immaculately by Octavia Spencer, the movie’s tragic hero begins to understand that forgiveness is not about forgetting what happened or erasing the pain, but about finding a way to move forward in spite of the trauma.

The movie serves as a vehicle for the central message that forgiveness is not just for the person who has done wrong, but it is also for the person who has been wronged. Forgiveness is quintessentially about freeing oneself of the emotions that come with resentment and rage, and in a sense, it is a form of liberation. When Mack finally forgives his daughter’s killer, his heart is opened up to the possibility of love and connection once again.

The Shack is also a powerful story about faith. The film explores what it might mean to believe in a benevolent and loving God in the midst of unbearable suffering. The movie portrays God as a complicated and multifaceted being, one that makes room for our doubts and questions. It shows that faith is not a one-time decision that is made at a particular moment in one’s life, but rather, it is a journey of trust that requires us to face our fears, doubts, and insecurities.

The film also highlights the importance of personal responsibility, as well as our need to be accountable to the choices we make. Mack’s journey towards forgiveness involves not only confronting his own pain but also recognizing his role in the events that led to his daughter’s death. The Shack reminds us that we must take ownership of our lives and that the choices we make have real and lasting consequences.

In conclusion, The Shack is a powerful movie that explores the themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption. Through the story of Mack’s journey towards healing, the film invites us to reflect on the importance of compassion, grace, and mercy. It shows that forgiveness is a painful and arduous process, but it is one that can lead us to a place of inner peace and freedom. Above all, The Shack reminds us that faith is not about certainties but about the willingness to be open to what we don’t know and to be vulnerable in the face of the unknown. It is a film that will leave a deep impression on anyone who watches it, and it is a testament to the power of storytelling in highlighting the human experience.