William P. Young Talks About ‘The Shack’ on the 700 Club
July 22, 2008 by julia
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I read the shack and it is a dangerous new age thinking novel. It gave me the willies and I have
known Messiah 35 years now and am also a Pentecostal. New believers in Messiah can
get so mixed up in this book.
It tries to so humanize YHWH and I find it eerie to have used so many eastern names.
the goddess of the wind and so forth. I will not read it again. I do not care to digest this stuff when the Bible is so
rich and portrays Abba, Yeshua and Ruach Kodesh so very well. Truly God, Jesus and the Holy
Spirit are who they are and should not be catechized, allegorical or redefined over Who They say they are.
Shalom ,
Walking with Messiah one day at a time……..Abby
After reading The Shack I agree with Abby above that this book contains a great deal of New Age Philosophy. I find it difficult to discuss this book with many people because of their responses being so extreme. I actually had to remind one group of ladies that this is a work of fiction. These ladies were wanting more details about Missy’s disappearance and as mother’s were concerned for the welfare of their own children because of the autrocities that await the children in the world today. This group fully believed Mack had shared his story with the author and the story was historical fiction.
this demonstrated to me to a much deeper degree of how individuals do not understand what they are reading and can not use discernment.
The theology is certainly mixed-up in this book, yet for story value it made a good read. I especially liked the example of Jesus walking with Mack on the water. When Mack becomes confident in self he tries to walk alone. “Jesus” reminds Mack he can not do it apart from Christ. How often this is true of Christians. We become confident in self or self pious and make attempts to do things alone.
I agree with other things I have read that this book should basically be left alone.
I think that as always we are substantiate what we ingest by sifting through the scriptures. There are portions of this book that my feeble mind cannot fully comprehend and portions that I know beyond all doubt are truthful. This book seriously challenged the way I view God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Not that I expect them to be anything like the human characterization of the book, but I do expect the dynamic of love and relationship to be true and a place where we all have room to expand our awareness of what love is and does. I found nothing to directly contradict what I understand of the scriptures. I have thoroughly enjoyed The Shack and recommended it to many friends. No one on this earth knows the wonder of heaven so who’s to say it’s not the way Mr. Young portrays it. Personally, I can’t wait to walk across the lake with Jesus!
I found the book very enjoying and it drew me to a deeper relationship with G-d. The revelation knowledge that I experienced was spirit quickening, as well as, enlightening. If you are grounded and rooted in the word, then you should have no problem with this book, because it is just fiction. If you know the truth, then the truth shall keep you free of all deception. Nobody said that this was a replacement to the Bible. It is a Fiction novel, not non-fiction. The author never stated that this book was the core of Chritianity or any other religion. I found compassion, brokeness, love, grace, and mercy to abound in this novel. I believe that we all need something or someone to challenge us, during our spiritual walk, and draw us closer to Him. The Shack will prompt you to experience an encounter with the “true” living G-d and cry out to Papa. Shalom! <
I was deeply blessed by this book. Had no idea of the controversey it was causing until after I had read it I looked up the web.
We all come from different places. From where I am this was music to my Soul. It helped me to meet myself and the Lord.
I am reading “The Shack” with my wife right now. I was hesitant to read it because of the negative comments fielded to me through other believers.
However, I ordered it off Amazon and reluctantly decided to read it. I have now come to the conclusion that it is amazing! I have been awakened to a new love for Jesus through this book.
Many people who speak negatively of the book have not–ironically–even read the book from start to finish.
It does not have New Age teachings! Do not take other’s words for it! Read it yourself!
I felt the same way Matthew! Though I don’t agree with everything the book offers from a theological stand point, the book brought great healing to my heart and I did not feel there was anything “dangerous” about it. It is important to remember that it is a novel and to read it as such, not a commentary on the Bible!
Though there are things portrayed in the book that seem sketchy theology-wise, The author himself declared that it is not meant to be a theological book. I think that if you look at the core of the book, its core message, it can be very powerful.
So many of us miss the aspect of relationship, hiding our true self and not letting others in to help us.
Also, if this book were simply a fiction book that didn’t mention God’s name, I think Christians would be “all the rave” about how it portrays God and how we can use it as a parable to apply to our relationships with God and people. That’s what many did with the movie the Matrix. But as soon as you have some creativity and use God’s name, suddenly everything has to be perfectly theologically sound to be applied to our relationship with God. In this case you have missed the whole point of the book. God uses imperfect vessels.
Just look at the reformers back in the 1500’s. John Calvin, one who paved the way for much of how we live out Christianity today, thought it fine to physically kill catholics because they were heretics. (Obviously he missed the Scripture that says we do not war against flesh and blood.) But i think it is most importantly the heart that matters. I think that if Calvin knew that it was wrong he wouldn’t have done it. He was just so passionate about the truth he only did what he knew to do, yet God still used him.
Let’s have grace for our brothers and sisters in Christ. If something is inherently wrong with the core and character of a man and we are not in relationship with him, we have no right to judge.
Matthew Barry,
So write you are!
I read the book and found it helpful in seeing another person’s view of the way he sees his relationship with God. There are aspects of the Trinity which conflict with my understanding but I don’t allow my disagreement with the author about that to be a deal-breaker in terms of the larger message of the book.
For me that larger message is one of having a relationship with God and forgiveness. If hurting people read what is written in The Shack and are able to move forward in their lives away from pain they’ve been harboring then that is a good thing.
I have found this book to confirm that others know the God I know. I see this as an opportunity to unite Christ’s Church by reintroducing the aspects of love that Jesus so strongly emphasized, instead of continuing our division over rules that he did not.
RE Katie
Please tell me where John Calvin ever said it all right to kill catholics because they were heretics? Please tell me ow your argument against Calvin (which is historically, factually inaccurate) justifies a book that trivializes God and presents Him in Scripturally inaccurate ways? There is much in this book that is sketchy theologically so much so that I would never recommend it to anyone for whatever good it might have regarding the truths that slip in here and there.
author William P. Young suggested the book “He Loves Me” as a bood to read after reading the shack, I had difficulity with Chap. 12 where the author Wayne Jacobsen uses the example of God asking Aberham to sacrafice his only son to show that God does not need to be appeased! How does he figure that when this god he describe puts Aberham through such grief first. This is not the God I know. What am I missing? The God in the shack is not the same god in “He loves Me”
I am currently reading The Shack although I’m only half way throught it. There’s some things i like about this book and things that I dont. Some of the things in this book seem to go against things in the bible. not that I am a perfectly, bible-educated christian, but i think this book can be very confusing, especially for someone who doesnt know much about God. i think God…the Trinity…is what it is and shouldnt be made into a fantasy book. I do hoewvwer like how complex, unique, and refreshing the characters are. No offense to paul young, who Im sure is an incredible humna being, but I dont think ill be finishing The Shack…for the sake of my faith and my sanity.
I read the Shack as a fiction. While there are many aspects of the book that I thought emphasized christian principles, I did not get hunged up on theology. I believe that many people are having difficulties with accepting the characters of the book. To protray God as a woman, and a big black woman at that, is more than many shallow judgmental people can phantom.
I chuckled at the author’s choice of characters. In our walk with God, we are sometime taken back with His sense of humor. I believe that was the author’s intentions in his selection of his characters.
Annette
i read the book and loved it immensely. the book does not claim to be anything. it is a work of fiction but unlike other books it does give you a feeling of healing and it can show you things if your heart and mind are open. it is one mans opinion, he does not claim to be right it is just his perspective, take it for what it is. i gleaned a great deal from it and personally am grateful that he was persuaded to share it with the world.
I read a lot, I loved it! It isn’t suppose to replace the Bible. It can help alot of people see the spiritual life in lighter easier understanding way. This was written to appeal and affect so many people for many different ways. We almost all have pain of some kind we deal with and we question God “Why” It is one of the best books I have read in years.
I find it interesting that those I speak with who are very concerned about the book and its “non-Biblical” aspects seem to have no problem reading magazines, novels, watching TV shows, movies etc w/o the same application.
God can handle all that and more. God can take care of me w/o the theological watchdogs doing “His” work for Him.
After the college and seminary degrees and several years pastoring it is refreshing for me to see someone not afraid of the churches, and to simply write his heart.
Many will say “nothing but the Bible” while they order tapes and videos of other men / women giving their interpretation of it.
After all the “religion” existing in the churches – and it continued to be promoted, i for one say Thx to Mr Young
It’s disturbing to me how so many people can just “throw the baby out with the bath water.” I understand that this book does not exactly line up with scripture, but I also understand that that does NOT make it a dangerous work in opposition to God and all God stands for. Yes, let’s be discerning! Let’s use our minds to clarify the truth of the Word of God! If this book pushes us to examine the Word more closely, then it IS a good thing!
Furthermore, this book cannot take us anywhere we do not want to go. If we wish to be closer to God, and feel closer as a result of reading The Shack, why should we be concerned with the details? I am a Christ follower and DO care about doctrine, but I would never keep something from my family and friends that could produce the kind of life-changing healing that I’ve experienced from reading this book.
As was said before, read it and decide for yourself.
I enjoyed The Shack up to the part where Mr Young portrays God as a woman and the Holy Spirit as a ditsy fairy-like creature. We can all argue that it is a work of fiction and that we must not get bent out of shape by the incorrect portrayal of THE SOVEREIGN GOD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT but as born again believers we should be appalled that he dares to do just that. If the book is being sold in christian book stores, as it is, then it should be Biblically correct.To the Christians I want to say, don’t promote a book that clearly undermines the sovereignty of God The Father and The Holy Spirit.
To Bruce I want to say,Mr Young doesn’t have to be afraid of the church,he needs to fear The Living God.Take a stand for the truth and don’t accept watered-down-feel-good versions of how some see God or relate to Him.
Unfortunately many critics of the book admit that they haven’t actually read it but rather refused to read it after hearing someone else’s negative review. I encourage everyone who is interested to at least read it for yourself before criticizing.
Denise, I think I understand where you are coming from because I used to think the way you do. You say if it is going to be sold in Christian bookstores, then it should be “Biblically correct”. How in the world does one define Biblically correct anyway? There are thousands of Christian denominations and each believes their views of the Bible are the correct ones. Paul Young used a big, black woman to portray God simply to make us think outside the box of our preconceived ideas of what God looks like. I think most of us get a mental picture of an old man with a long white beard and a deep voice but since both man and woman are created in God’s image, don’t you think it is possible that God has female characteristics too? I don’t think it’s blasphemy at all. I didn’t see Sarayu (the Holy Spirit) portrayed as a ditz at all, by the way.
Paul Young does not have to fear God because there is no fear in love. He chose to tell a story which shows the love and grace and mercy of a God who wants to walk us through all of life’s difficulties and tragedies and draw us closer to Him. The love and grace of God has been mixed with a fear based view of an angry God in most churches in America and I for one think it is very sad. We say terrible things about our God and think it is OK. Jesus came so that we could have relationship with the Father but how many of us have very little relationship with Father because we are afraid of Him and think he is disappointed in us all the time? We think we have to do stuff for God but when we think that way, we are actually saying that Jesus went to the cross for nothing. What does it even mean to stand for the truth? As Christians, we can spread the message of the gospel by becoming the message of love and grace but unfortunately many Christians in America do not even understand the gospel. It seems to me that most Christians are just trying to spread the rules of a religion and using fear to coerce people into saying a “sinner’s prayer” and call that “witnessing”. Paul Young helped me see the true God who I always knew in my heart through his amazing story and I am very thankful for it!