Every time I hear anyone mention The Shack, I cringe. Big time. Especially, if it is coming from someone at church and they are talking about it like the book is a positive thing.
It also reminds me of this passage of scripture ...
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Listen, folks ... God is not a black woman named Papa, some Aunt Jemima figure to kiss your boo-boos and make them better. The Holy Spirit is not a Tinkerbell wannabe and Jesus is not this really cool carpenter dude for you to rap with. That book is a fable.
If you have any confusion about this, pick up your Bible and actually read it. It will clear things up for you.
You know, I have the book, yet to finish it. I actually like parts of it, but whenever I get back to reading it, the hair on the back of my neck stands up and I only get a little further. Not sure if I'll ever spend the time finishing it or not, but never feel like I can say much about it unless I do.
The characters aren't my favorites, but I don't mind them so much -- everybody has their picture and some folks might not like mine -- but it bothers me when the theology twists off into weirdness that doesn't align with the Bible I know. I think what I find most troubling is that the book's greatest appeal seems to be to those who are still seeking and thus are least able to distinguish between truth and twisted.
RA---
Boy, did you hit the nail on the head with this one. I was just in an arguement with a 'friend' who said this was all an allegory - a creative story. I asked, "WHY DO YOU HAVE TO PUT THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE IN SUCH TERMS".
Its an insult.
Its blasphemy.
Its just not necessary.
Admittedly, I did start to read the book. I got about 2/3 of the way through and accidently left in the pocket of my seat on an airplane.
I never had a hint of sadness or the need to find another copy to finish it.
In a way, I was glad I lost it. I constantly had to stop the bile from rising in my throat.
David, looks like I got about as far into the book as you...but since I didn't have the good fortune to misplace it (sure you didn't leave it on purpose?), I could sure send you mine... I have trouble with not finishing a book I've started no matter how much I don't like it so it would give me a good excuse not to finish... :)
What? Read the Bible?
That's just crazy-talk ... I mean, why read the Bible for Biblical truth when I can have someone take one truth, remove it from context, twist it, bend it into a sort-of-plausible shape, and present it as the be-all and end-all?
I say this having not yet read the book, but having read other such books ...
Thank you for this post.
No, God is not a man or woman. The book is fiction and perhaps the author just wanted to show characteristics of God through people. People are called to be like Him. We are created in the image of God. Genesis 1:27
greetings.
i did not READ the book. but this is because i prefer AUDIOBOOKS.
i listened to the book. in fact, i've listened to it about 4 times within the past year.
I LOVE IT.
I LOVE IT.
I LOVE IT.
true, at first the idea of GOD being a woman, well you gotta know i had serious reservations.
however, as i continued to LISTEN, I discovered that i GRAVITATED TOWARDS WANTING TO KNOW GOD, JESUS,AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ways that i didn't think i could or even should.
I BELIEVE this book is fiction, right?
SO WITH THIS PREMISE, THE BOOK WASN'T CLAIMING IT WAS TRUTH.
rather, and after listening to the william p. young interview (attached to the end of my audiobook) i came to see the author's heart and intentions.
bottom line for me ... i see GOD as more personal.
scripture is how i am becoming more acquainted with GOD thru Jesus, BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
STILL, THE SHACK helped me see a little better about the possibility of knowing JESUS differently, you know, kinda like meeting Jesus in the 21st century.
i know he doesn't change, but i do, and our world does, it's kinda nice to see HIM in my everyday surroundings.
i RECOMMEND THE BOOK!!!!
Amen!
I think if you've been a Christian for any length of time, parts of the book are going to 'grate.' But I think all that does is beg the question, "Was this book really written for Christians?"
This book follows a long list of titles like Late Great Planet Earth, This Present Darkness, The Purpose Driven Life, Left Behind,etc. which have found a response in the broader market, while containing enough 'issues' to create much debate among more seasoned Christ-followers.
I'm just thankful it's getting some discussion going. And also thankful that it's never earned an endorsement from Oprah. That should tell you something!
It is refreshing to read all the comments here and the post itself. I was recently at a retreat where everyone was oohing over this book, which I considered not only to be nonsense but also poorly written from several points of view: literary structure, theological validity, and consistency of content. I was pretty strongly attacked for expressing a negative opinion -- as if I was attacking the Bible.
There is much that is written these days that is questionable. The lack of readers' discrimination is deplorable. I am glad to find allies on this blog!
Hey guys!
New reader to the blog. Here's my thought. I wrote a review too. Here's the thing. My biggest problem with this book is that Christians turn non-Christians loose with this book and hope to convert them. Now, while I think that is a good thing,conversion, salvation, etc., the bad thing is this; the Christians don't go in the trench and actually talk with the non-Christian after they read it. This gives them too many misconceptions that once they find out aren't true, doubt the church entirely.
I think it's a good book if the book is not the end game. If Christians discuss the work and then hand over the true book of excellence, The Bible, and continue to walk and talk with these people,then we find some really great success.
Frank
I know Solomon has warned we christians not to wear
ourself out because of reading,particularly secular
books because there wont be an end to writing of books.