The motivation for this post is that as we are moving forward with a ministry to men in our community, some of our small group leaders have encountered comments and questions about "The Shack" by William P. Young. I am in the process of gathering some material for them about it. Our pastor and I are encouraging them to read it, though with a discerning eye. Below are some of my own thoughts, and then links what others are saying about the book.
A Moving Story
While I didn't find "The Shack" on par with what I would consider to be classic works, it was a very moving, even compelling book. The story line about the abducted, abused and murdered daughter and the father's struggle with the aftermath is enough to move any father or mother. Mr. Young has great potential as a writer of fiction.
Taking Every Thought Captive
While I enjoy reading novels (frankly I find novels addictive and try to avoid them that I might get regular sleep, as I often read through the night if it will hold me interest), I always ask questions:
- What is the author saying? His words in the text are his thoughts, and he is trying to communicate them. It is not about what I am 'hearing' but what is he trying to say.
- What is the author's worldview? This makes a lot of difference in understanding what he is trying to say.
- Is this book something that should fill my mind? After reading a book, hearing a story, watching a movie, even hearing a song for the first time, we are never the same. Our minds have been changed. Further, the content we put in is likely to be replayed over and over again. This is especially true if we don't analyze the content when it goes in. The apostle Paul tells us in 2Co 10:3-7 (ESV):
"(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
(5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
(6) being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
(7) Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we."
- Is this something which to think on? Again the apostle Paul in Php 4:8-9 (ESV):
"(8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(9) What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
I use these verse as a filter for everything that enters my mind, and my family's home, as best I can. It is my sword for taking every thought captive.
As a result, I read "The Shack" with a critical eye, even as I enjoyed the story. My analysis is that there are many theological issues that make, in my opinion, this book UNacceptable for general consumption. However, I believe it is an excellent tool for instructing in worldview training and being able to discern heresy.
Mr. Young does make some very valid points about the church as an institution and how it handles hurting people. However, he largely rejects the church, and even disparages the Word of God in attempt to deal with the problem of suffering.
The most positive aspect of this book is that he really drives home the need for us to have a relationship with God, and to have a relationship with others to help them deal with their problems and issues. However, this does not offset his theology.
Not Just Fiction
Mr. Young has claimed that "The Shack" is just a work of fiction, not a work of systematic theology. Perhaps. However, the whole point of the book is to deal with issues in theology. You cannot deny this. Reading the book will make this abundantly clear. If you are going to focus your dialog on conversations with God in his various forms, you are making theological statements. They are not even hidden, but right our in the open. Please don't insult our intelligence by saying it is not a theological work.
Further, the website for "The Shack" promotes use of the book like a track. By doing so they are in effect saying that you should proselytize to this way of thinking with this book.
http://theshackbook.com/missy-project.html
(This link has since become non-functional. An archived copy can be found here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160101161556/http://www.theshackbook.com/missy-project.html )
Here are a couple of quotes from the site:
"It offers one of the most poignant views of God and how he relates to humanity that has been written in our time. It will not only encourage those who already know him but also engage those who have not yet recognized his work in their lives."
"Give the book to friends, even strangers, as a gift. They not only get a compelling page-turning thrill ride, but also an magnificent glimpse into the nature of God that is not often presented in our culture. "
These are not isolated quotes but very representative of how they are trying to promote the ideology of this book. No where is the Bible mentioned, only "The Shack."
The Narnia Herring
When someone expresses concerns about "The Shack" (and other fictional works like "Harry Potter"), others throw out the "Well what about "The Chronicles of Narnia". While it is of value to discuss and analyze the works of C.S. Lewis, it is a 'red-herring' to throw you off the scent. The issue at hand is the work of Mr. Young in "The Shack." Each work should be evaluated on its own before the Bible, not in comparison to other works. After "The Shack" is evaluated, then one could consider the other works. The Bible is the standard, not other works of fiction.
Below are links to resources that might help you sort things out about "The Shack." I would ask that regardless of your current thoughts, examine this book in light of the whole counsel of God, His Word, asking him to show you the true about this matter. Don't let your emotions rule over the truth in this matter.
Written review(s) and analysis:
Tim Challies has written what I believe is a very fair and balanced analysis of "The Shack" which discusses the seriousness of the biblical issues involved.
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/the-shack-by-william-p-young.php
"Second, we must also realize that, because of the emotional impact of reading good fiction, it can be easy to allow it to become manipulative and to allow the emotion of a moment to bypass our ability to discern what is true and what is not. This is another thing the reader must keep in mind. We cannot trust our laughter or our tears but must allow our powers of discernment to be trained to distinguish good from evil (see Hebrews 5:14). Discernment is primarily a Spirit-empowered discipline of the mind rather than an emotional response."
Joe Holland offers his thoughts on "The Shack" but most useful I think is his collection of links of reviews and responses by Tim Challies, in various locations.
http://mininggrace.com/2008/09/09/my-thoughts-on-the-shack/
One very useful quote from his blog.
"The common retort to negative reviews of The Shack is, “But it is only fiction.” The assumption behind this plea for unconditional grace is that fiction 1) can’t be that bad and 2) should be judged by different standards than other written media. I disagree. My disagreement was further solidified by a quote from CS Lewis I heard this past Thursday night. Lewis said,
…any amount of theology can now be smuggled into people’s minds under cover of romance [romantic, imaginative literature, fiction] without their knowing it.
Lewis saw that an author could “smuggle” truth into people’s heads and hearts through fiction. He sought to use this profoundly influential genre of literature–theological fiction–to introduce hundreds of thousands of people to Christian themes."
Podcast discussions:
Earreverent w/ Bob Lapine interviews William P. Young, Tim Challies, and Steve Brown
http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3961711&content_id={335ACEC9-A786-42C2-987B-B5EDA3D37318}¬oc=1
Radio Worldview w/ Bill Jack and Dell Cook
http://www.worldview.org/podcast/individual.php?mode=individual&post_id=95
http://www.worldview.org/podcast/individual.php?mode=individual&post_id=96
Understanding the Times w/ Jan Markel interviews Eric Barger and Pastor Larry DeBruyn
http://mp3.olivetreeviews.org/OTM2008_08_16A.mp3
http://mp3.olivetreeviews.org/OTM2008_08_16B.mp3
