Comments on: Is "The Shack" Heresy?

By: Sharon Whelan

Sharon Whelan — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:27:02 +0000

I opinion echoes that of Melanie’s. As a piece of fiction, it is not theology. I’ve witnessed my book club sweepingly accept The Shack’s representation of who God is, without discernment or evaluation of it’s content. Some talk as though it’s not a work of fiction, but a revelation from God himself through the author. While I know this is not the fault of the author/publisher’s, it is what’s happening. Also disturbing for me in the book, was the choice given to the father: to stay with all of them in heaven or to go back to his family who were still alive. If God gives us choice then suicide is an option. As I Christian I know everything is a choice, I can chose to obey or not to obey and there are consequences to either choice. I know we have a choice to accept his gift of salvation, but the ramifications of this choice given by the Father. Again I know this book is FICTIONAL, but the precepts are not being taken that way. In fact, during a public discussion about The Shack, a new believer who had read the book, questioned the very same issue I just mentioned. To quote her “Aren’t we as Christians supposed to choose life, and I don’t understand why God gave him the choice. I am confused.” To which the selected discussion panel re-iterated to her that this book is fictional, not real.
Anyways this is my two cents, which really is only 2 cents.

Shalom
Sharon

By: Melanie

Melanie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:04:27 +0000

Hi Robin! I’ve been reading your blog and looking into purchasing some of your homeschooling materials. I just stumbled onto this Shack discussion by accident and wanted to post my 2 cents for what it’s worth (which is virtually nothing!).

I read the Shack without any preconceived notions. I’d only heard about it from 2 different people. Neither of them told me anything about the book but that they absolutely loved it. Neither of them are Christians. Their beliefs seem to be a mixture of Christian, new age and humanism.

The person who gave actually gave me the book and asked me to read and give me thoughts on it is a relative who pulls from many different religions and smokes marijuana every evening.

So, I read it. While I did glean much from it and was deeply touched by different parts of the book, I ended up throwing it in the trash can. Why, you ask?

My opinion concerning The Shack is that while it may be beneficial to well-grounded Christians, it is very misleading to unbelievers. It certainly helps those of us who can get a little too “religous” but unbelievers who read it come away with some interesting thoughts but it doesn’t seem to draw them any closer to the Lord. They continue in their own lifestyles just as before.

The Shack reminds me of much of what Christian hear from pulpits every Sunday and often read in the latest Christian bestseller-lots of fluff without any meat. People listen and read and walk away the same as they came. When someone who lives a very worldly lifestyle can read a “Christian” book and come away without feeling a need to change their lives or repent-something is certainly lacking.

The only Christian I know that liked this book also stated that Mormons are Christians because they call Jesus Saviour and that everything else (meaning doctrine) is just “window dressing”.

It’s like listening to Joel O’Steen-very inspiring and uplifting but not much else.

Blessings,
Melanie

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:57:35 +0000

Hi Robin,
The Shack for me was a burst of fresh air, loved the characters, loved the message. Our ideas of God blown out of our comfort box. Sometimes He has to get in and mess our thinking up a little in order for us to move forward with Him.
God bless
Rebekah

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:53:45 +0000

Hi Robin,
I appreciate your willingness to debate this topic. I got about half way into the book and had to stop reading. Not because I disagreed with any theological suppositions, but because I have four little girls and it was just too traumatic for me. It was just more than I could deal with.
Blessings,
Amanda

By: Karen V.

Karen V. — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:40:07 +0000

I also cried while reading The Shack. Tears of joy and tears of happiness. Happy tears to know that I have always felt that God is always with me whether the times are bad or good. Jesus, in my eyes, is a white man. But to an Asian person, Jesus will be Asian and to a black man, he will be black. I don’t think it matters how Jesus is described in a book. He is everything to each of us. As long as we BELIEVE in Him is what matters. The Trinity was in this book. I don’t understand how someone can say this book is not based on The Word. I loved every word! Thank you,
Karen

By: Larissa Q

Larissa Q — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:19:46 +0000

Thank you for posting this. I have held back from reading this book because of the crime in it (I really don’t like to read novels about crime, enough happens in real life). After reading your post I wanted to see for myself. I got the book out of the local library and read it in two sittings in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. I still did not like the crime part of it, but it was essential for the story to be played out. Horrible things happen every day and God is still there through out it all wishing for us to turn to Him and talk to Him instead of condemning Him for them.

By: Randi

Randi — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:10:52 +0000

Hello Robin, at one point I was really excited about HOW until the SHACK appeared on here. I have read the book so that I am not basing anything on someone els’s opinion. The Shack was a good story and yes, I can see how it could possibly shed light in some lives. I don’t understand how you feel the brownie story does not fit . I found issues immediately in the SHACK . My concern is why promote such a book with such a large audience who may not be able to separate the good from the not so good? I agree with Rebekah that grace needs to be given and we are all at different places in our journey. God’s word is ultimately the only book we really can recommend wholeheartedly since it is from HIM without concern about how it may affect the reader. With Grace and Love, Randi

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:58:32 +0000

I read The Shack a while ago after it was recommended to me. As with most books, I came away with mixed feelings about it. There was some good stuff to be gleaned, and some stuff to be discarded, probably more of the former than the later. It wasn’t a book that I wanted to read to my girls, as was recommended. Nor was it a book that I would have highly recommended to others, since it gave me enough hesitation.
I marvel at our Loving Dad’s grace and mercy to me on my journey with Him, and I know He extends His same mercy and grace to my brothers and sisters, and so should I.
So what’s my point? Grace is needed to be given to the author and where he is at in his journey, and grace should be given to the critique-rs and where they are at in their journey — encouraging all in respectful dialogue. Let us continue to respond and react to each other as we would want to be treated ourselves.
Shalom,
Rebekah

By: Debra

Debra — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:07:10 +0000

Wow- what kind of witness is it to pass on things that distort the truth? There were other postings from people who did take the time and showed you specific things that were contrary to scripture and you still defend it. The links I sent were very intelligibly written and from a Godly perspective. I do not need to read the Koran to know that it is full of untruths because I have consulted someone whom I respect about it; a former convert who used to teach Islamic studies- to me their information is valid, better articulated and full of things to think about. I did read the linked information I sent you and hoped it would make you think: for making you defensive was not my aim. My heart truly is that God’s people will not be deceived with such lies that are presented in the book, as it is only the truth that sets you free. I read how you were a victim and how it helped you, that is wonderful but real healing will only come from knowing the truth, and this book certainly isn’t a source of it. It isn’t that it is easier to believe any accusations, any one who knows me would never accuse me of such nonsense. I have been on the mission field full time for many years and I am not ignorant of the Word, but I am convinced that it is our responsibility to call out what is truth and what is not. How effective would one be if they allowed lies to become truths? You go ahead and defend this all you want, after all, it is your forum. I will stand by the fact that the Word is the ultimate source of truth, and when a book written contradicts it, it isn’t worth advocating. We are called to discernment. Ideas have consequences and bad ideas do destroy everything that counts.
No one is bashing, no one is gleefully bashing. They are making the gullible people more aware.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:57:48 +0000

I’m so grieved at the attacks on this book and shocked at the nasty venom. People search the web to find critiques and automatically believe them without ever looking at the other side– Why is it easier to believe the accusations? Why don’t people bother getting both sides?

The author has responded to the accusers questions but those responses are IGNORED by the accusers. If someone wants to know the author or publisher’s stance –ask the author or publisher not some third party.

To the accusers posting link to critical articles- you are responsible to verify facts before passing them on as truth. How would you feel if someone passed on lies about you. Think about it. Someone post pure garbage then 20 Christians get a hold of it and pass it along gleefully bashing as they go. What kind of witness is this?

I will continue to delete links to unconfirmed information.