The Shack, by William Young, is really becoming a popular book among Christians. And, as with lots of other books with bad theology, heresy and aberrations, this book is a big seller at “Christian” book stores. Now, this is something that I find really disturbing because of its contents.
I admit I haven’t read this book myself; I can’t read everything. However, a good personal pastor friend has read it and has given me first-hand information about the contents. Additionally, I have found many, many reviews by top-notch Bible teachers that demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that this is a book full of blasphemy and heretical teachings. BUT, it sure makes people FEEL good!
Plain Truth Ministries, which has some good stuff yet is aberrational in many of their teachings (including the denial of the existence of Hell), is headed up by a guy named Greg Albrecht. Greg’s PTM promotes The Shack, and when I wrote him suggesting they should rethink their position Greg responded that he was involved in the editing of this book as well as endorsing it. He stated that the book is “theologically accurate.” Since PTM is theologically off-center with other issues, I guess it doesn’t surprise me that their leadership would find no problem with this book.
Anyway, rather than write my own review of this book, here are some links to many excellent reviews describing the false teachings and danger of The Shack.
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/15-fiction/428-the-shack-by-william-p-young
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/shack.htm
http://www.carm.org/features/theshack.htm
http://www.tektonics.org/books/shackrvw.html#Review
If anyone reads these reviews and still agrees with Greg Albrecht that the book is “theologically accurate,” I’d appreciate it if you could demonstrate this from Scripture. I think it would be wonderful if pastors spoke against this book from the pulpit.
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9 comments:
Hey Glenn!
I haven't read the book either, and had only ever heard of it from the big ad Christianity Today ran (over the summer, maybe?) However, I do love watching Mark Driscoll clips on YouTube, (he makes me laugh, and his observations are spot-on 95% of the time), and he outlined in typical blunt, direct Driscoll-fashion the problems with this book in under 5 minutes.
For one thing, it presents a modulist ("Oneness") understanding of God. Unfortunately, so few Christians have an understanding of the Trinitarian nature of God that even fewer were able to spot that. That is a VERY big deal. Somewhere, I read that Michael W. Smith is one of the Christians lauding this book as wonderful.
Granted, it's fiction; but still....if you're assuming the responsibility of writing Christian fiction, yo should at least try to stick to sound theology. There is only so much artistic liberty you can take before you're in dangerous waters.
Ahhh I was going to point you to the Mark Driscoll take on The Shack, but I see Marie beat me to it.
Hi, Marie! Miss your blog!
Barbara
Looks like I need to watch that video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK65Jfny70Y
That's it. Enjoy!
Thanks for that link, Barbara. Very good. I noticed how many comments directed at the video were very hateful. Truth hurts!
I find it disturbing that so many people find absolutely nothing wrong with that book, or the many excuses that are given to "prove" it is beneficial and that we who condemn it are just "legalists." 2 Timothy 4:2-3.
Glenn
Yep, unfortunately WAAAAYYYY too many people are of the mind that anything that smacks of faith and which sounds good to them must be absolutely fine on that basis alone. The Truth is offensive...as is the concept that there might actually BE Truth, apparently. The Gospel is offensive. All in all, just goes to prove, there's nothing new under the sun.
Which is why I rarely bother reading YouTube comments ;)
The Shack is a heretical book. I read it because I was given it as a gift and thought it would be wise to know what I was talking about when I addressed it. I ended up writing a review of the book which is posted on my blog.
http://buffalonoise.blogspot.com/2009/03/review-of-shack.html
Hi Ron,
I agree with you 100%!!!
I just visited your blog and found it to be a good read. You have been added to my "follow" list.
Thanks Glenn. I have had a link to your blog for several months, ever since I read your comments on Beth Moore. Thanks for your many good articles.
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