Review - The Shack
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It seems The Shack is staying on the nation’s bestseller lists, and causing quite a bit of discussion in spiritual circles. I wondered what some of discerning Christian leaders thought about the biblical content of William Young’s book.
Tim Challies, the wunderman of book reviews, put together an extensive review of The Shack now available as a downloadable pdf. Some points that Challies addresses from Young’s writings include salvation, free will, the Trinity, submission, forgiveness, and revelation. Bottom line: “It is clear to me that The Shack is a mix of good and bad. Young teaches much that is of value and he teaches it in a slick and effective way. Sadly, though, there is much bad mixed in with the good. As we pursue his major theological thrusts we see that many of them wander away, by varying degrees, from what God tells us in Scripture.”
Another source of Christian discernment is Albert Mohler. He discussed The Shack on his radio show recently, and the mp3 is available online for download or online listening. Mohler is concerned that The Shack is deeply troubling, subversive to the Christian faith, and “falls far short of biblical Christianity.”
ByFaith Magazine had this to say about The Shack: “In the end, The Shack is spiritual comfort food loaded with theological trans fat. Though not without some nutritional value, its effect on the body of Christ is more harmful than healthy. Even if you love it, and even if it makes you cry. Junk food and bad movies can do the same.”
Additionally, Insight For Living, Charles Swindoll’s ministry, has a review online that analyses the good and the bad of The Shack, emphasizing the confusion about Jesus Christ and the Trinity that Young expresses in his writing.
This might be another great opportunity for Christians to discuss who God is, just as the book and movie The DaVinci Code was for dialoging about the validity of the Bible. Take a careful look at The Shack, read these reviews of the pros and cons, and prepare to talk with your friends about what Scripture teaches about these topics.
I found the book very enjoying and it drew me to a deeper relationship with G-d. The revelation knowledge that I experienced was spirit quickening, as well as, enlightening. If you are grounded and rooted in the word, then you should have no problem with this book, because it is just fiction. If you know the truth, then the truth shall keep you free of all deception. Also, if you truly know G-d, this book should not distort your view of Him. The author never said that this was a replacement to the Bible. It is a Fiction novel, not non-fiction. Additionally, the author never stated that this book was the core of Christianity or any other religion. I found compassion, brokeness, forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy to abound in this novel. I believe that we all need something or someone to challenge us, during our spiritual walk, and draw us closer to Him. The Shack will prompt you to experience an encounter with the “true” living G-d and cry out to Papa. Shalom!
If you are looking for theology in a fiction novel, this book is not for you. READ YOUR BIBLE!