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Stay Out of 'The Shack'
Chuck Colson
BreakPoint.org
May 5, 2008
When the prophet Isaiah and the apostle John caught glimpses of God, they were overcome with despair at their own unworthiness in the light of His glory. The same could be said of Daniel or Paul, or any number of figures from Scripture.
But when the protagonist of a new book called The Shack is introduced to the Father of heaven, he is greeted by a "large, beaming, African-American woman" who goes by the name of Papa.
If you have not heard about The Shack, there is a good chance you will soon. A novel self-published about a year ago by William P. Young, the book has gained quite a following in Christian circles. It is still among the top ten sellers at Amazon.com. And when it receives a glowing endorsement from a scholar whom I respect, like Eugene Peterson, it is not a phenomenon that discerning Christians can ignore.
The story is about a man named Mack, who is struggling in the aftermath of the brutal murder of his young daughter. One day he finds a note in his mailbox-apparently from God. God wants Mack to meet Him at "the shack," the place where his daughter was killed.
When he arrives, the shack and the winter scene around it transform, Narnia-like, into a mystical mountain paradise, perhaps meant to be heaven itself. Now dwelling in the shack are three mysterious figures-the African-American woman, a Middle Eastern workman, and an Asian girl-who reveal themselves as God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The rest of the book is basically a discussion between Mack and the three persons of the Trinity. While the discussion is mostly on the deep topics of creation, the fall, freedom, and forgiveness, too often the author slips in silly lines that, frankly, seem ridiculous in the mouth of the Godhead. Jesus, looking at Papa, says, "Isn't she great?" At one point, Papa warns Mack that eating too many of the greens in front of him will "give him the trots." And when Jesus spills batter on the floor and on Papa, Jesus then washes Her-or is it His?-feet. Papa coos, "Oh, that feels sooooo good." Ugh.
Okay, it is only an allegory. But like Pilgrim's Progress, allegories contain deep truths. That is my problem. It is the author's low view of Scripture. For example, Mack is tied to a tree by his drunken, abusive father, who "beats Mack with a belt and Bible verses." The author reflects derisively in another spot that "nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that 'guilt' edges."
The Bible, it seems, is just one among many equally valid ways in which God reveals Himself. And, we are told, the Bible is not about rules and principles; it is about relationship. Sadly, the author fails to show that the relationship with God must be built on the truth of who He really is, not on our reaction to a sunset or a painting.
That is not to say The Shack is without merit. The centrality of Christ and God's breathtaking, costly love come through loud and clear. But these truths are available everywhere in Scripture, everywhere in Christian literature. You do not have to visit The Shack to find them.
As Papa warns Mack, God is not who Mack expects He is. But He is also not what our creative imaginations make Him to be, either.
He Is, after all, Who He Is.
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Copyright © 2008 Prison Fellowship, used with permission. Chuck Colson’s daily BreakPoint commentary airs each weekday on more than one thousand outlets with an estimated listening audience of one million people. BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today’s news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print.
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alastairblake
10/28/2009 9:57 PM
listen to the first 4 mins or this or so. I think it contributes to the conversation. It talks about God being Holy, and what HOLY means. you can search for it on youtube. 'Regeneration - Ezekiel 36 - Paul Washer' listen to that, and then I find it quite hard, and even evil, to liken God to a human being, or ANYTHING AT ALL other than himself. why? because He is unique. He is holy. He is one. He is the ONLY. Non like him. His ways are not our ways.
texacan45
10/28/2009 11:19 AM
To Whom Is The Gospel Of Christ Preached? What Is The Genuine Message Of The Gospel
“First Delivered Unto The Saints”? And What Exactly IS A Disciple Of Our Lord Jesus Christ?
These Are The Essential Questions Of Eternal Importance, The “One Thing Needful”
It has been about 2,000 years since the Master, Our Lord Jesus Christ, walked the Earth. Have these 2,000
years changed the Gospel Message, changed the nature of man, changed the meaning or actuality of what it IS to be a
disciple of His?
It surely has not. Nothing can be more certain. The Gospel cannot (honestly) be changed, because it is the
Living Word of God, of the Very God who “changes not” (Mal 3:6). And one thing is certain here: They who choose
to serve Him must do so “in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23). God accepts no other pre-condition, according to the
Scripture. Furthermore, unless we falsely lend greater credence to accumulated “traditions of men” (Mt 15:3-6; Col
2:8), the only true Gospel of Christ is Gospel
“First Delivered Unto The Saints”? And What Exactly IS A Disciple Of Our Lord Jesus Christ?
These Are The Essential Questions Of Eternal Importance, The “One Thing Needful”
It has been about 2,000 years since the Master, Our Lord Jesus Christ, walked the Earth. Have these 2,000
years changed the Gospel Message, changed the nature of man, changed the meaning or actuality of what it IS to be a
disciple of His?
It surely has not. Nothing can be more certain. The Gospel cannot (honestly) be changed, because it is the
Living Word of God, of the Very God who “changes not” (Mal 3:6). And one thing is certain here: They who choose
to serve Him must do so “in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23). God accepts no other pre-condition, according to the
Scripture. Furthermore, unless we falsely lend greater credence to accumulated “traditions of men” (Mt 15:3-6; Col
2:8), the only true Gospel of Christ is Gospel
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"That is not to say The Shack is without merit. The centrality of Christ and God's breathtaking, costly love come through loud and clear. But these truths are available everywhere in Scripture, everywhere in Christian literature. You do not have to visit The Shack to find them."
Mr. Colson, of course one does not have to visit the shack to find Scriptural truths. But warning your followers away from a work of Christian _fiction_ because it is not a work of systematic theology? I think it is irresponsible at best. Heck, the guy didn't sit down to write a catechism, nor does he have a dim view of Scripture.
You're right, God is not what our creative imaginations make Him out to be. He is far, far more; beyond anything we can imagine.