The Shack

[JenaS62]

I am almost finished reading one of the best books I've ever read. I'm wondering if anyone AOers have also read it and what you thought about it.

Here is the official book website:

http://www.theshackbook.com/

And here is a USA Today article about it. Apparently the evangelicals don't like the message because it kind of removes church and religion from our relationship with God. They even go as far as to call the book heresy!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religio...he-shack_N.htm

"

PORTLAND, Ore. — By rights, William Young, 53, should be a mess.
Emotionally distant from his missionary parents. Sexually abused by the New Guinea tribe they lived among. Grief-stricken for loved ones who died too young, too suddenly. Frantic to earn God's love, yet cheating on his wife, Kim.

Young functioned by stuffing all the evil done to him and by him into a "shack" — his metaphor for an ugly, dark place hidden so deeply within him that it seemed beyond God's healing reach.

His adultery, 15 years ago, finally blew the doors off that shack, forcing him to confront his past. "Kim made it clear," he says. "I had to face every awful thing."

Now, his first novel, The Shack— centered on dialogues between a miserable main character, Mack, and three unorthodox characterizations of the Holy Trinity — telescopes Young's transformation to a man spiritually reborn and aware every moment of God's love. It slams "legalistic" religions, denominations and doctrines. It barely even mentions the Bible.


Instead, Mack's secrets, lies, pain and fears are swept away in a 48-hour encounter in the woods with a sassy black woman who embodies God the creator. Jesus is portrayed as a big-nosed carpenter in a plaid shirt; the Holy Spirit is an Asian sylph called Sarayu.

So why are critics calling it heresy?

They say Young's surprise hit, which has been in the Top 50 on USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list for 10 weeks (it's now No. 17), promotes a wrong-headed view of universal salvation, as free to all as an open bar at a party. (my comment - how the hell do they know??)

They read Young's message as saying you can just discover Jesus' love inside yourself, turn your life over to him, and you're on your way to heaven. No need to put in time in the pews or know theology.

[debonnaire]

Well this book is a fiction. It may have the merit to adress hurt and pain.
But there is no reason to get too excited with a fiction , is there ?

And the Christians who have read the book and did not liked it can’t be blamed for not liking something which has a christian veneer but is not the real thing. They think they have been cheated somehow.

I admit i have not read it (only excerpts)

I don't like much fiction.
Life and my own relationship with the God of the scriptures is far more interesting than the best stories even told with benevolent motives.

[JenaS62]

Life and my own relationship with the God of the scriptures is far more interesting than the best stories even told with benevolent motives.

Well that's good that you have that relationship. I, however, have not had one and I think for people like me, it explains a lot in a way I can understand and depicts God in a way I can accept. It matters not how I get there.

[Truth Files]

Jena said:

"It matters not how I get there"

>Yes it does matter how one gets there

>The shack is an extra-biblical hoax for sure

>I would suggest to you that you seek the Lord's truth contained within His Word .... the scriptures of the Bible .... for yourself

>There is rampent false teaching today, even within the scope of "professing" christianity and a great deal of it is deceptive and misleading

>If you will make an effort to diligently study your Bible, you will be able to detect the difference between deceptive teaching and the truth about your own salvation

2Timothy
3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

[Goldmoon]

Thats a good and convicting verse, Truth.

I'll add this, which we have to watch out for in these last days:

2 Timothy 4:3

For a time is coming when people will no longer endure sound and wholesome biblical teaching. And after their own lusts and desires, they will heap together teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

(Thats what is happening today. People think the bible is useless and stay as far away from it as possible, but it contains everything.)

[custompainter]

Sounds like a good read Jena, I'll have to pick up a copy. Thanx.

[Truth Files]

Goldmoon said:

"Thats what is happening today. People think the bible is useless and stay as far away from it as possible, but it contains everything"

>Yes it is for sure .... the Lord has said that many would come in His name and deceive many others .... they are here in mass

Matthew
24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

>Yes it does .... the Lord's Word is complete and sufficient

Revelation
22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

[JenaS62]

Sounds like a good read Jena, I'll have to pick up a copy. Thanx.

It is a great read! Don't let the negativity of the others put any doubts in your mind. It's the religious dogma discussed in the book that puts up a wall between God and us.

[Truth Files]

THE SHACK & Its New Age Leaven

God IN Everything?

By Warren Smith

“A little leaven leaventh the whole lump.”
- Galatians 5:9

The Shack is being described as a “Christian” novel and is currently ranked number one on the New York Times bestseller list for paperback fiction. Many believers are buying multiple copies and giving them to friends and family. The Shack reads as a true story, but is obviously allegorical fiction. The book conveys postmodern spiritual ideas and teachings that challenge biblical Christianity – all in the name of “God” and “Jesus” and the “Holy Spirit.” Author William P. Young’s alternative presentation of traditional Christianity has both inspired and outraged his many readers. All the while his book continues to fly off the shelves of local bookstores.

Much like New Age author James Redfield’s book The Celestine Prophecy, The Shack is a fictional vehicle for upending certain religious concepts and presenting contrary spiritual scenarios. Allegorical novels can be a clever way to present truth. They can also be used to present things that seem to be true but really are not. Some books like The Shack do both.

I was drawn into the New Age Movement years ago by books and lectures containing parabolic stories that were not unlike The Shack. They felt spiritually uplifting as they tackled tough issues and talked about God’s love and forgiveness. They seemed to provide me with what I spiritually needed as they gave me much needed hope and promise. Building on the credibility they achieved through their inspirational and emotive writings, my New Age authors and teachers would then go on to tell me that “God” was “in” everyone and everything.

I discovered that author William P. Young does exactly the same thing in The Shack. He moves through his very engaging and emotional story to eventually present this same New Age teaching that God is “in” everything.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me first provide some background material concerning this key New Age doctrine that “God is in everything.” A good place to start is with Eugene Peterson, the author of the controversial Bible paraphrase The Message. After all, Peterson’s enthusiastic endorsement of The Shack is featured right under the author’s name on the front cover.

Ironically, it was Peterson’s endorsement that caused me to be immediately suspicious of this high-profile, bestselling “Christian” book. Through his questionable paraphrasing of the Bible, Peterson had already aligned himself in a number of areas with New Age/New Spirituality teachings. One obvious example was where he translated a key verse in the Lord’s Prayer to read “as above, so below” rather than “in earth, as it is in heaven.” “As above, so below” was a term that I was very familiar with from my previous involvement in the New Age Movement. This esoteric saying has been an occult centerpiece for nearly five thousand years. It is alleged by New Age metaphysicians to be the key to all magic and all mysteries. It means that God is not only transcendent — “out there”— but He is also immanent — “in” everyone and everything.

But, as I found out just before abandoning the deceptive teachings of the New Age for the Truth of biblical Christianity, God is not “in” everyone and everything. The Bible makes it clear that man is not divine and that man is not God (Ezekiel 28:2, Hosea 11:9, John 2:24-25, etc.) In Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose-Driven Church, I quoted the editors of the New Age Journal as they defined “as above, so below” in their book, As Above, So Below:

“'As above, so below, as below, so above.' This maxim implies that the transcendent God beyond the physical universe and the immanent God within ourselves are one.” (p. 32)

My concern about Peterson’s undiscerning use of “as above, so below” in the Lord’s Prayer was underscored when the 2006 bestseller, The Secret, showcased this same occult/New Age phrase. In fact, it was the introductory quote at the very beginning of the book. By immediately featuring “as above, so below” the author Rhonda Byrne was telling her readers in definite New Age language that “God is in everyone and everything.” Towards the end of the book, The Secret puts into more practical words what the author initially meant by introducing the immanent concept of “as above, so below.” On page 164 The Secret tells its readers—“You are God in a physical body.”

Most significantly, in his book The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom, New Age leader Benjamin Crème reveals that a New World Religion will be based on this foundational “as above, so below” teaching of immanence — this idea that God is “in” everyone and everything:

“But eventually a new world religion will be inaugurated which will be a fusion and synthesis of the approach of the East and the approach of the West. The Christ will bring together, not simply Christianity and Buddhism, but the concept of God transcendent — outside of His creation — and also the concept of God immanent in all creation — in man and all creation.” (p. 88)

New Age matriarch Alice Bailey, in her book The Reappearance of the Christ, wrote:

“…a fresh orientation to divinity and to the acceptance of the fact of God Transcendent and God Immanent within every form of life. “These are foundational truths upon which the world religion of the future will rest.” (p. 88) [link added]

In a November 9, 2003 Hour of Power sermon – just two months before he was a featured speaker at the annual meeting of the National Association of Evangelicals – Crystal Cathedral minister Robert Schuller unabashedly aligned himself with this same New Age/New World Religion teaching. The man who claims to have mentored thousands of pastors, including Bill Hybels and Rick Warren, stated:

“You know in theology — pardon me for using a couple of big words — but in theology the God we believe in, this God of Abraham, is a transcendent God. But He is also an immanent God. Transcendent means up there, out there, above us all. But God is also an immanent God — immanence of God and the transcendence of God — but then you have a balanced perspective of God. The immanence of God means here, in me, around me, in society, in the world, this God here, in the humanities, in the science, in the arts, sociology, in politics — the immanence of God…. Yes, God is alive and He is in every single human being!”

But God is not in every single human being. God is not in everything. One of the many reasons I wrote Deceived on Purpose was because Rick Warren presented his readers with this same “God in everything” teaching. Quoting an obviously flawed New Century Bible translation of Ephesians 4:6, Rick Warren — whether he meant to or not — was teaching his millions of readers the foundational doctrine of the New World Religion. Describing God in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, he wrote:

“He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.” (p. 88)

Compounding the matter further, “immanence” has been taught as part of the Foundations class at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. An ill-defined reference to immanence on page 46 of the Saddleback Foundations Participants Guide plays right into the hands of the New Spirituality/New World Religion by stating:

“The fact that God stands above and beyond his creation does not mean he stands outside his creation. He is both transcendent (above and beyond his creation) and immanent (within and throughout his creation).”

All of this discussion about “God in everything” immanence is to explain why The Shack is such a deceptive book. It teaches this same heresy. This book ostensibly attempts to deal with the deeply sensitive issues surrounding the murder of a young child. Because of the author’s intensely personal story line, most readers become engaged with the book on a deep emotional level. However, the author’s use of poetic license to convey his highly subjective, and often unbiblical, spiritual views becomes increasingly problematic as the story line develops. This is most apparent when he uses the person of “Jesus” to suddenly introduce the foundational teaching of the New Spirituality/New World Religion — God is “in” everything. Using the New Age term “ground of being” to describe “God,” the “Jesus” of The Shack states:

“God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things….” (p. 112)

This false teaching about a “God” who “dwells in, around, and through all things” is the kind of New Age leaven that left unchallenged could leaven the church into the New Age/New Spirituality of the proposed New World Religion. And while many people have expressed a great deal of emotional attachment to The Shack and its characters — this leaven alone contaminates the whole book.

Clearly, the “Jesus” of The Shack is not Jesus Christ of the Bible. The apostle Paul chided the Corinthians and warned them that they were vulnerable and extremely susceptible to “another Jesus” and “another gospel” and “another spirit” that were not from God (2 Corinthians 11:4). In the Bible, the real Jesus Christ warned that spiritual deception would be a sign before His return. He further warned that there would be those who would even come in His name, pretending to be Him (Matthew 24:3-5;24).

Without ascribing any ill motive to William Young and his book The Shack, the author’s use of spiritual creativity seems to give a “Christian” assent to the New Age/New Spirituality of the proposed New World Religion. His mixing of truth and error can become very confusing to readers, and God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33).

Dr. Harry Ironside, pastor of Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church from 1930-1948, emphasizes the fact that truth mixed with error results in “all error” — a direct refutation of the Emergent Church teaching to find “truth” wherever it may be found — including books like The Shack. Ironside wrote:

“Error is like leaven, of which we read, ‘A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.’ Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died.” (quoted in The Berean Call, April 2008)

The Shack has touched the hearts and emotions of many people. While there are many other examples of the author’s unbiblical liberality, introducing the heretical New Age teaching that “God dwells in, and around, and through all things” is in and by itself enough to completely undermine any value the book might otherwise have for faithful believers. To allow yourself to get carried away by this story, while disregarding the book’s New Age/New Spirituality leaven, is to fall prey to the “truth-and-error” mixture that pervades The Shack. And as Dr. Ironside warned—“God hates such a mixture.”

Before Christians buy one more copy of this book, they need to come to terms with what this author is ultimately teaching and what it is they are passing along to their friends and fellow believers.

The Truth:

“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (1 Timothy 4:4)

[Elsa]

Jena.

If it helps you understand then great. God works through many things. He who begins a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. I personally don't care for fiction either and l know this book is a little off the mark. Have you ever read This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti? It's a little off in spots too but l liked it...Never read any other ones by him...but l did like that one.

[JenaS62]

Jena.

If it helps you understand then great. God works through many things. He who begins a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. I personally don't care for fiction either and l know this book is a little off the mark. Have you ever read This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti? It's a little off in spots too but l liked it...Never read any other ones by him...but l did like that one.

The Present Darkness is next on my reading list.

[debonnaire]

Have you ever read This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti? It's a little off in spots too but l liked it...Never read any other ones by him...but l did like that one.

i read only one from Peretti , 15 years ago, and think it was this one
which is about spiritual warfare in a little town if 'm not mistaken. This was an entertaining read i must admit.

[Truth Files]

The believer who is armed with scriptural knowledge first and foremost can and should evaluate the onslaught of extra-biblical sources in these last days because this will position them to witness and warn others not to be distracted by false teaching

These things come in many forms [many of them in the guise of "professing" christianity] and from many sources [false teachers] today, but there is a need to be warry of and to expose them for what they are and to warn about those who bring them

The unlearned are often led away or kept from the study of the Lord's Word by the same when one shoud be well grounded in the scriptures .... the only prevention against falsehood

Individuals write books and teach attractions for drawing attention to themselves for the purpose of self serving gain [power, influence, recognition, wealth, etc.] .... motives that are often hidden by those who do these things

There are often religious dogmas and "cult" like followings that are attached and one can be led down a path to their own destruction

2Timothy
2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Stick to the scriptures and learn them .... study thyself appoved .... take on the whole armor of the Lord

2Peter
1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

[Cartesiantheater]

I tried reading it, but the first 15 pages or so read so much like the many Christian novels I read when I was a brainwashed kid that I had to put it down (that means "BORING"). And no, not because I'm uncomfortable with reading about God, it's because it seemed pretentious as hell. The stupid little description about how you sit there in your little house when it's all snowy outside... and the "oh, this guy's wife, blah blah blah, most such and such person I ever met, blah blah blah.

Just flat out pretentious and boring. I saw no conflict in the beginning of this book that held my attention. The character described didn't even seem that remarkable at all, and for someone who supposedly met God, I found him to be terribly boring.



Now, maybe later in the book reading it isn't like watching molasses in January, but too much of the beginning of it WAS, and my attention span just cannot handle such extended lengths of boredom.



EDIT- I did just read Jena's copy and paste, and let me say that that seems a little more interesting than the book itself does, but even that seems boring. Just another everyday human life.

So a guy gets raped by Guinea Pigs and cheats on his wife. Whoopie.

The introduction and first few pages have NOTHING of interest about them. They were much more boring than the little article on the book.

About the only thing that seems interesting is that God is a sassy lady and Jesus is a big nosed carpenter (echos of racism against Jews? ). That might be worth the price of admission, but only if I can skip to that part.

[dwbeaufort]

" They say Young's surprise hit, which has been in the Top 50 on USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list for 10 weeks (it's now No. 17), promotes a wrong-headed view of universal salvation, as free to all as an open bar at a party. "

Isn't universal salvation what religion strives to accomplish? Shouldn't it be "as free to all as an open bar at a party"?


"They read Young's message as saying you can just discover Jesus' love inside yourself, turn your life over to him, and you're on your way to heaven. No need to put in time in the pews or know theology."


This one says it all, the reason it is hated. If you ain't in the pews you will miss the collection plate!!!

[JenaS62]

"
This one says it all, the reason it is hated. If you ain't in the pews you will miss the collection plate!!!

Bingo!! There simply cannot be any other explanation for the "heresy" claims of the evangelicals. Gotta keep the cattle in the barn.

[debonnaire]

This one says it all, the reason it is hated. If you ain't in the pews you will miss the collection plate!!!

JenaS62;364403]Bingo!! There simply cannot be any other explanation for the "heresy" claims of the evangelicals. Gotta keep the cattle in the barn.

The underground church in China (evangelical) has no pews and no collection plate. they pay a high price for following Jesus , and not a humanist fabricated one.

Recommanded read :’ The heavenly man’ , the true story of Chinese brother Yun
http://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Man-R.../dp/082546207X.

[Elsa]

The underground church in China (evangelical) has no pews and no collection plate. they pay a high price for following Jesus , and not a humanist fabricated one.

Recommanded read :’ The heavenly man’ , the true story of Chinese brother Yun
http://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Man-R.../dp/082546207X.

Good come back debonnaire. I would also add that people raised Christian have no comprehension what so ever what it's like to come out of the world. God uses bridges through books and people to ease many out of worldly traditions.

Christians should honor God and gather together for a meal and fellowship at least once a week. Study together .. worship and pray.

Another awesome book in Bruchko... If you want to be inspired and encouraged this is the one. It's a classic and especially for non traditionalists.

http://www.amazon.com/Bruchko-Astoni...der_1576583481

[Cartesiantheater]

I think I found a way to make it more easier to read: If I pretend that the main character, Mack, is actually Gene Hackman playing the same character he did in Enemy of the State





I think I can really get into it.


That looks like Mack, don't you think?

[New Wine]

I read the book, and have come to the conclusion that it continues the idea of Jesus IS God the Father idea.

In one of the conversations (although I don't remember now which one) it is either stated or implied that the Father is also hanging on that cross with Jesus.

[JenaS62]

I think I found a way to make it more easier to read: If I pretend that the main character, Mack, is actually Gene Hackman playing the same character he did in Enemy of the State


http://movies.infinitecoolness.com/14/enemy13.jpg


I think I can really get into it.


That looks like Mack, don't you think?

I guess that's a good casting for Mack. I had visualized something similar. And for some reason, I had pictured God as Whoppie Goldberg and Jesus as Steve Carrel.

[Cartesiantheater]

I guess that's a good casting for Mack. I had visualized something similar. And for some reason, I had pictured God as Whoppie Goldberg and Jesus as Steve Carrel.

Does the black lady talk in like a Jamaican accent? Or a southern one?

[JenaS62]

Does the black lady talk in like a Jamaican accent? Or a southern one?

Southern drawl.

**edit - and actually once you get past page 28 or so, it does move along faster. I read a few pages a long time ago and then put it down and never picked it up again until I had to fly for a business trip last week.

[JenaS62]

Queen Latifah would also make a good God.

[Goldmoon]

Yahweh is the Lord, and we need not make comparisons or joke about Him.

I tell you the truth about all of these things, but people just joke around about it.