The Shack
I saw this link to Norman Geisler’s review of the Shack over at Apologetics 315. Geisler gives a pretty negative review of the Shack and seems to point at being heretical in many ways. I have to make two confessions: 1) I really enjoyed the Shack, it was funny, it was sad, it was moving and it was thought provoking and 2) I have recommended the book to many people and have even given out copies.
Does that mean that I disagree with Geisler’s analysis of the Shack? I include his review because I think he makes some good points. There are some theological concerns that people should be aware of. However, I think this is important, the Shack is Christian fiction and not a theology text book. If it was written as theology, we should indeed be concerned. I think that William Young in the context makes some very good points. He asks some questions that need to be asked. We might not agree with his answers, but he at least points us in the right direction toward wrestling with where God is in the midst of suffering. I believe that God is using the Shack in a mighty way to get people to reconsider God despite their suffering and disappointments. I will continue to recommend the book. But I will also be prepared to point out areas where the book is soft on biblical truth.
when I go to the Doctor I check his or her scientific credentials and when the doctors and nurses and technicians are successful its not because of prayer its due to there studious professional work
Good for you. I like my doctors to be skilled as well. We finally agree on something!
The Shack makes a good read but sadly like the Da Vinci Code has nothing christian to it. The Shack is but just a tip of the iceberg of books yet to come. I dont think this is the end…i believe for a demanding generation there is always going to be a supplier of ideas that tickle their fancy. Read more on my blog http://7drizzles7.wordpress.com/
I agree, that like the Da Vinci Code, the Shack should be judged as a novel and not a systematic theology.
However, I disagree with you when you say there is nothing Christian in it. Trinity, Jesus, grace, heaven, all those things seem pretty Christian to me. I would never base my theology fully on the Shack but I would also never deny its usefulness for introducing people to Christianity, especially for those in the midst of great emotional pain.
“However, I think this is important, the Shack is Christian fiction and not a theology text book. If it was written as theology, we should indeed be concerned. I think that William Young in the context makes some very good points.”
I don’t think your analysis here is accurate. Wayne Jacobsen (spelling not sure; I think this is the name of his publishing partner) wrote online “every page is a bible study”. It is, explicitly according to Jacobsen, a work of theology.
“If it was written as theology, we should indeed be concerned. ”
Mr. Bedard, you wrote after this: “However, I disagree with you when you say there is nothing Christian in it. Trinity, Jesus, grace, heaven, all those things seem pretty Christian to me.”
But now in your newer article on the movie, you imply that while you don’t find the portrayal of God as the black female “Papa” and the Holy Spirit as a female ninja dancer, to be problematic, you do find it to be sub-Trinitarian. Wondering if the long-suffering Athanasius would agree with your assessment of the book as a valuable apologetics tool?
Here are two extracts from the Jacobsen article:
” At its core the book is one long Bible study…”
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“Does it devalue Scripture?
Just because we didn’t put Scriptural addresses with their numbers and colons at every allusion in the story, does not mean that the Bible isn’t the key source in virtually every conversation Mack has with God. Scriptural teachings and references appear on almost every page. They are reworded in ways to be relevant to those reading the story, but at every point we sought to be true to the way God has revealed himself in the Bible except for the literary characterizations that move the story forward. At its core the book is one long Bible study as Mack seeks to resolve his anger at God.
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Does it distort or demean the Trinity?
One of the concerns expressed about The Shack is that it presents the Trinity outside of a hierarchy. In fact many religious traditions think they find their basis for hierarchical organizations in what they’ve assumed about the Trinity. To look at the Trinity as a relationship without the need for command and control is one of the intriguing parts of this story. If they walk in complete unity, why would a hierarchy be needed? They live in love and honor each other. While in the flesh Jesus did walk in obedience to the Father as our example, elsewhere Scripture speaks of their complete unity, love and glory in relating to each other. Different functions need not imply a different status.
This extends in other ways to look at how healed people can relate to each other inside their relationship with God that defines authority and submission in ways most are not used to, but that are far more consistent with what we see in the early believers and in the teaching of Scripture. It is also true of many believers around the world who are learning to experience the life of Father’s family without all the hierarchical maintenance and drama that has plagued followers of Christ since the third century.”