I want to preface this with saying I respect Mr. Colson immensely. I am not really surprised by this critique of the book, but I do find it interesting to close an article titled "Stay Out of The Shack" (a very, very strongly worded title) with this:

"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.

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.

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

If our perspective/understanding of God can not be upheld by the scriptures, than it is just a man's opinion. If the Bible does however speak on the issue, man's opinion of God and his Word is especially null and void.

I think we also must remember that God has written the Bible through inspired men. At the end of Revelation, it is stated not to ADD or to Take Away from the scripture. I think that is said, with full satisfaction that God has been revealed by Himself and his Son throughout scripture, to all degree necessary for where we stand until Christ's return. We are not putting God in a box by committing ourselves to not ADDING OR SUBTRACTING from what God has revealed for himself. He laid the foundation for who He is, and what his character is. It is incredibly dangerous to try to alter or create new ways of seeing God, when God has already portrayed Himself adequately. We must seek Him and read his word. we must not welcome anything that contradicts what God has revealed, and we must not reject anything God has proposed to us. if anyone is interested, I have found these messages helpful http://www.antonbosch.org/tapes2006.html (the SOLA SCRIPTURA ones)

it is a concern that books like this are so easily taken in and trusted and delighted upon, when I do NOT believe that God has failed (He can do no such thing) to reveal to us through his Son and the Bible all that we need to know about Himself. It is interesting that the Bible has spoken of God in terms of Father and Son, Husband and Bride, and multiple parables are even written around the idea of these things. A woman's feminine traits are not ungodly or unimportant. I think that these portrayals of God in a masculine sense are useful to humankind when trying to understand God's function and headship over all the world. Obviosuly anything Holy and good... fruits of the spirit, good ways of living for a man AND a woman are things declared and setup by God. Obviously Godly character in a woman is Godly. I do however believe it is important to see God in the masculine terms in the Bible, while remembering he is NOT a man. His ways are not our ways.

I'm so thankful for leaders like Chuck and Mark Discoll who are willing to stand up and call this book out for what it is. I only read the book because I work in ministry and needed to be equipped to answer questions. My only reaction is shock; no so much by what the book says, but how many people are accepting this as legitimate Christianity. There was a time in the Church when we had no trouble condemning heresy. The Shack clearly promotes a twisted view of God, promotes modalism and idolatry. It also greatly distorts critical doctrines such as the atonement and the incarnation. What makes Mack so special in his suffering that he deserves an audience with God? I wonder if Mack had a bad relationship with his mother as well, would the Father appear as a dog, cat or hamster?

Mr. Young: Despite your suffering, you have no right to create your own comfortable image of God and thrust it on the world. Shame on you!

As someone who has an immense amount of respect for Mr. Colson, I was deeply disappointed in his review of "The Shack". His view of William P. Young marginalizing Scripture because the character, "Papa" states that relationship trumps the Word is extremely narrowly focused.

I agree with the examples Mr. Colson used to show how many of those who saw God reacted. Indeed, God is awesome, but is Mr. Colson attempting to say that God cannot reveal himself to us in whatever form He desires?

I empathize with Mr. Colson's discomfort with the book's characterizations of the relationship between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But I think the idea that God will do whatever is necessary to heal us from our hurt because of His compassion, is by far the most significant attribute of God. It is this attribute that is central to His character and the primary reason He sacrificed His most precious son, Jesus. I think this attribute comes through brilliantly in the Shack. I say GO TO THE SHACK!

I think that the advise "Stay Out of 'The Shack'" is pretty closed minded. It reminds me too much of a legalistic command from someone who is trying to protect the possesion of their views. As for those who opine without having read the book, shame on you.

Much of the controversy of"The Shack" stems from the author's depiction of God. Yet in the book, 'Papa' rhetorically asks Mack if He can reveal Himself to him as He, God, wishes. All of our revelation of God is incomplete. This is a simple truth. God is beyond our comprehension. Yet that does not stifle His desire to be known by us. I have read "The Shack". It was clear to me that the author was not attempting a treatise on who God is but rather His character. The simple truth is that God in all the glory of the trinity will come to us in a way that He can reach us. That may mean tearing down our perceptions of Him that have blocked us. Mack's view of God was one of a distant God that did not relate to him. The comment on the Bible likewise is a tearing down of Mack's

Aware of the controversy i read the book. I found that 'heresy' had to be searched for and pieced together by treating the book as a theological treatise not as an illustration of key aspects of God's character as it is.

I'm a pastor in my 30's. I love story. I learn about God through story. I've learned much about God through the Shack. I know it's not a perfect representation of God. Neither are any of the theology textbooks that I've ever read / used. It drives me nuts when Christians are afraid to read anything. I've even learned about God by reading Harry Potter. C'mon Christian people, READ IT. Then discuss it, compare it to the Word of God. I hold the Bible in the highest reverence, and it TELLS me to look for God in a sunset. It tells me to "boldly approach the throne of Grace" It tells me to call the Father Abba (Daddy). It tells me that God thinks of us as His Bride. Does the Bible tell us that people are overwhelmed by God's presence. Of course. Isaiah 6: Isaiah unraveled in God's presence. But God also speaks of us through the most INTIMATE relationships we experience. You don't have to love everything about The Shack. But read it, DISCERN truth. "Test Everything" Love u all

I am very thankful for your putting this article on this site because I have seen how many are being mislead by this book. I have not read the book but know some who have and claim how it has changed their lives. This has prompted me to examine what this book is teaching and why some men of God are warning of it's dangers. Those who are speaking out are the minority the vicious attacks against them is unbelievable on You Tube. If it were just unbelievers being mean and critical it could be understood, but it is supposedly Christians defending this book. Men of God have an obligation to speak out and sound a warning. Thank God for those who do.