The Shack and Bringing Others to or back to Christ

[HisHomeMaker]

I have not read this book but this is the Lenten book study choice at our church and so members of my Bible study are talking about it. I've just watched several interviews with the author on Youtube. Based on the author's own words in these interviews, I think the jist of this fictional Christian story, which is based on the author's life as a broken man who becomes born again through an intimate relationship with Christ, is this:
- The shack is a metaphor for what's really in our hearts, a house of shame, lies, secrets
- secrets prevent real intimacy because no one really knows us; we create facades on the outside of the shack
- these facades include perfectionist performance with our religion
- prayer, fasting, and religious acts would not heal Mac, they were part of his facade of being born again
- some of us put God in a box and think that if we pray enough and do enough for Him that He'll do what we want
- don't waste energy and destroy joy on "what iffing" -- if it doesn't exist, then God isn't concerned for it
- when fear shows up ask God, "What is it about the way You love me that I don't understand right now?"
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 - He died for our sins but only a few choose a relationship; be reconciled to Him; He came to earth in Christ to reconcile the world for Himself, not to hold sins against man; He has done everything to reconcile the people of the earth but we are lost - see The Prodigal Son
- true healing, the removal of the facades and the experience of living in God's love and with joy takes hard work of eliminating secrets, lies and shame

Do you agree? If the last point is right, then how do we bring others to Christ or is the work -- the "renovation project" -- entirely up to the individual and their relationships with God? How do we bring others into this relationship?

 

[Johnnz]

Sharing ourselves is not easy in our intensely private and individualistic society.

I believe that the 'naked and not ashamed' in Genesis refers primarily to a complete openness - with God, each other and creation and is not at all about clothing. Our brokenness results in barriers.

John
NZ

 

[HisHomeMaker]

I agree with what you say about Genesis, John.

 

[thesunisout]

Not having read it myself, I couldn't say. I have read critiques though that seem to indicate that it isn't exactly Godly reading material..and it does contain heresys against God. You can see a good critique here:

Critique of "The Shack" - Probe Ministries

I have not read this book but this is the Lenten book study choice at our church and so members of my Bible study are talking about it. I've just watched several interviews with the author on Youtube. Based on the author's own words in these interviews, I think the jist of this fictional Christian story, which is based on the author's life as a broken man who becomes born again through an intimate relationship with Christ, is this:
- The shack is a metaphor for what's really in our hearts, a house of shame, lies, secrets
- secrets prevent real intimacy because no one really knows us; we create facades on the outside of the shack
- these facades include perfectionist performance with our religion
- prayer, fasting, and religious acts would not heal Mac, they were part of his facade of being born again
- some of us put God in a box and think that if we pray enough and do enough for Him that He'll do what we want
- don't waste energy and destroy joy on "what iffing" -- if it doesn't exist, then God isn't concerned for it
- when fear shows up ask God, "What is it about the way You love me that I don't understand right now?"
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 - He died for our sins but only a few choose a relationship; be reconciled to Him; He came to earth in Christ to reconcile the world for Himself, not to hold sins against man; He has done everything to reconcile the people of the earth but we are lost - see The Prodigal Son
- true healing, the removal of the facades and the experience of living in God's love and with joy takes hard work of eliminating secrets, lies and shame

Do you agree? If the last point is right, then how do we bring others to Christ or is the work -- the "renovation project" -- entirely up to the individual and their relationships with God? How do we bring others into this relationship?

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I have a problem with judging things (books, movies, music, churches, schools of theological thought, whatever) by hostile critiques, when one hasn't experienced the thing for oneself. In my experience, hostile critics are rarely able to be fair to their subject. If you must judge something that way, read a fair sample of reviews, not just the hostile ones.

I wrote the above before having read the Probe Ministries critique of The Shack, but now I have read it. Interestingly enough, Zukeran does not recommend that we not read the book, and he says "theological errors", not "heresies"; there is a difference. But instead... well, I'll just quote his last paragraph:

"I believe this book would make a great subject for discussion groups. The topics presented in the book such as the problem of evil, the nature of God, and salvation are worthwhile topics for all believers to discuss. We can often learn and become more accurate in our beliefs when we analyze error, compare it with scripture, and articulate our position in light of the Bible. I do not believe Christians need to run from error as long as they read and study with discernment."

I have read The Shack, and I think Zukeran does judge it a little too harshly, perhaps mistaking poetic license for theology, and even so, exactly how erroneous it is debatable, but still he doesn't recommend we avoid the book, but instead finds it thought-provoking and a good subject for discussion groups. That assessment I agree with.

 

[JordanDaniel]

I did a book report on this book in the 9th grade, its one of those few books that you CANNOT put down after the first 20-30 pages. Very good book about God,Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

 

[thesunisout]

After reading some of the book, I do not believe it was inspired by God. I sense the presence of other spirits beyond it, and not good ones. I advise anyone to stay far away from it.

I have a problem with judging things (books, movies, music, churches, schools of theological thought, whatever) by hostile critiques, when one hasn't experienced the thing for oneself. In my experience, hostile critics are rarely able to be fair to their subject. If you must judge something that way, read a fair sample of reviews, not just the hostile ones.

I wrote the above before having read the Probe Ministries critique of The Shack, but now I have read it. Interestingly enough, Zukeran does not recommend that we not read the book, and he says "theological errors", not "heresies"; there is a difference. But instead... well, I'll just quote his last paragraph:

"I believe this book would make a great subject for discussion groups. The topics presented in the book such as the problem of evil, the nature of God, and salvation are worthwhile topics for all believers to discuss. We can often learn and become more accurate in our beliefs when we analyze error, compare it with scripture, and articulate our position in light of the Bible. I do not believe Christians need to run from error as long as they read and study with discernment."

I have read The Shack, and I think Zukeran does judge it a little too harshly, perhaps mistaking poetic license for theology, and even so, exactly how erroneous it is debatable, but still he doesn't recommend we avoid the book, but instead finds it thought-provoking and a good subject for discussion groups. That assessment I agree with.

 

[Johnnz]

Its was written as a story for his children. Some people get far too 'theological' in their criticisms. Plus, the Trinitarian basis for our faith has been largely overlooked for centuries.

John
NZ

 

[jpcedotal]

two thumbs down.

God ain't in that book.

 

[Johnnz]

Really?

John
NZ

 

[plmarquette]

Christian fiction....

some thing to help us get our mind around death, evil, and reconciliation...good read, not doctrine

 

[Norah63]

All it seemed like was a book of propaganda. Trying to teach you to think another way, other than the clear words of scripture.

 

[Johnnz]

It was a story written to help explain the Trinity to his children.

John
NZ

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Christian fiction....

some thing to help us get our mind around death, evil, and reconciliation...good read, not doctrine

That's about right!

Christian fiction is not doctrine, and should not be taken as doctrine, but it can help us think about stuff.

For those who say God isn't this book, sorry, I disagree.

 

[James Clarkston]

I have a problem with judging things (books, movies, music, churches, schools of theological thought, whatever) by hostile critiques, when one hasn't experienced the thing for oneself.

Do you recommend that we all go watch some porno movies so we can get the idea what's going on so we can talk about it intelligently?

That's a stupid idea, but some cemeteries (uh, sorry... I meant seminaries) actually teach people to do exactly that. I always wondered if they also taught to go shoot up heroin so they would know how to minister to the heroin addict!

The shack... is whack! LOTS of false doctrine in that book...but, alot of Christians these days are more interested in being entertained rather than adhering to sound doctrine.

So, this is par for the end times harlot church which is the false church... you know, folk playing like they Christians

 

[Johnnz]

Do you recommend that we all go watch some porno movies so we can get the idea what's going on so we can talk about it intelligently?

That's a stupid idea, but some cemeteries (uh, sorry... I meant seminaries) actually teach people to do exactly that. I always wondered if they also taught to go shoot up heroin so they would know how to minister to the heroin addict!

The shack... is whack! LOTS of false doctrine in that book...but, alot of Christians these days are more interested in being entertained rather than adhering to sound doctrine.

So, this is par for the end times harlot church which is the false church... you know, folk playing like they Christians

So, just what qualifications do you have to so easily, and ungraciously, write off the many dedicated Christian teachers in seminaries?

How about giving some examples of "....LOTS of false doctrine in that book.."

John
NZ

 

[James Clarkston]

So, just what qualifications do you have to so easily, and ungraciously, write off the many dedicated Christian teachers in seminaries?

Most of them teach the traditions of men, making the Word of the Living God of no effect. Jesus had major issues with the Pharisees and the Sadducees because they twisted what God said... today, Jesus has major issues with so-called mainstream Christianity because of the same reason.

There is a harlot church that harlots after the wisdom of mankind in place of the Wisdom of God...

It's no wonder because satan is very highly religious and uses scriptures against people as he teaches them to twist scripture to say what God never said, bringing about extra biblical revelation from hell rather than from the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ.

How about giving some examples of "....LOTS of false doctrine in that book.."

If you like this book, and you speak as though you do, then the statement above applies to you and as such I'm not going to point out anything that is wrong with The Shack... because you wouldn't hear it anyway since you already have your mind made up.

There are plenty of concerns about this book posted on websites around the net, posted with content examples compared to scripture, if you really wanted to weigh this book in the balance.

 

[ebia]

What happened to this being the forum for moderate Christianity?

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

What happened to this being the forum for moderate Christianity?

It always was and still is, but unlike other such forums we have no SoP that excludes anyone from participating fully. That was by design. We discussed it at length during the founding and that was the consensus. We have no SoP, not because we overlooked it or thought it unimportant, but because we didn't want one. This was never intended to be a safe haven, but rather a neutral meeting place. So the most hardcore conservatives and the most radical liberals may both debate here, subject only to the overall CF rules. We hope they'll be able to find some common ground, and that relates to the forum name, Bridge Builders.

 

[Johnnz]

Most of them teach the traditions of men, making the Word of the Living God of no effect. Jesus had major issues with the Pharisees and the Sadducees because they twisted what God said... today, Jesus has major issues with so-called mainstream Christianity because of the same reason.

There is a harlot church that harlots after the wisdom of mankind in place of the Wisdom of God...

It's no wonder because satan is very highly religious and uses scriptures against people as he teaches them to twist scripture to say what God never said, bringing about extra biblical revelation from hell rather than from the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ.

If you like this book, and you speak as though you do, then the statement above applies to you and as such I'm not going to point out anything that is wrong with The Shack... because you wouldn't hear it anyway since you already have your mind made up.

There are plenty of concerns about this book posted on websites around the net, posted with content examples compared to scripture, if you really wanted to weigh this book in the balance.

So, my two questions remain unanswered.

John
NZ