The Shack - A Book Review with New Friends

Friday, January 10th, a few of us had the opportunity to attend a book club meeting at a friends church where they were gathering to review their latest read, The Shack, by author William P. Young. We had no idea what to expect. We did not know if the book club was gathering to discuss this book with Biblical discernment, or if they were gathering to praise the author for his contribution to Christian literature. The meeting took place in a classroom, chairs in a circle and our thoughts on the book was open for discussion. The facilitator made it clear that she did not want any bashful people afraid to say how the book made them feel, good or bad and encouraged participation from all. We were pleased to know she encouraged participation, because that is why we were there. Of all the people crowded in the room, we stuck out like a soar thumb. Why? Because we were the only ones who brought their Bibles! Myself, Kevin, Josh and Ken were lined up, swords drawn. We were there to speak the truth in love, and expose the heresy of The Shack.

As the discussion is about to begin, the facilitator opens us up in prayer, but not before she blasphemes the name of the Living God! It slipped? She didn't mean to? She didn't mean anything by it? What ever the excuse, it just shows that the name of God means so little to some people, even some professing Christians, that it can just roll off their fallen lips as if it were nothing. Once the class began, the floor was opened up to the questions, "Why did you come tonight? What do you expect to get out of this discussion?" Kevin wasted no time diving in. He explained that he heard some good things about the book and some not so good things about it, so he read it for himself to find out instead of relying on other people's stories. He went on to explain that the conclusion he came to was the book paints a false portrait of God! He told her he saw this discussion posted and wanted to come and invite friends with him who have also researched the book to defend the Word of God. As Kevin continued to emphasize the fact that The Shack does not portray the God of the Bible, the facilitator attempted to take the floor from him. I don't believe this is what she had in mind for the evening and from the looks on the faces of the other 50 + people in the room, neither did they. Kevin forged ahead pointing out the reason for the popularity of The Shack being that people have a false view of God. At this point the facilitator cut Kevin off and said that we'll cover the negative aspects of the review towards the end and to remember that the book is getting good and bad reviews.

The next lady to speak told the story of how The Shack has helped her deal with the loss of a baby. Every heart in the room was crushed to hear of her loss. At the same time it grieves me that professing Christians are finding comfort in a false god found only in the pages of a work of heresy.

This is followed by a another lady who explains that The Shack has helped her gain a better understanding of the attributes of God. What she really meant was the attributes of "god". Kevin rightly points out that the only way to understand the attributes of God is to read the Word of God, not a work of fiction! He said that the reason he's there is to point to the inerrant Word of God! The facilitator cuts him off again asking, "Can I say something back to you?". She points out that she is a Bible Teacher and an author, so she does know Scripture and has put some of the arguments from Scripture towards the end of the discussion. She also said she noticed that we look like we came equipped. Remember, we're the only one's there with our Bibles. She said she does realize this book is a work of fiction, so she raised the question, "Does a Christian work of fiction have to follow Scripture totally?"

Ken pointed out that for a work of fiction to truly be fiction, it could not involve a real person, or Persons, such as the Trinity. Not only did the book involve the Trinity, but in a heretical, blasphemous way and it violated the rules of fiction writing. Ken also explained that this book paints a very low view of God and that is what is so appealing to people. God has been created in man's image, he's more like them. This is much more appealing to the world than a God who commands perfection in thought, word and deed. A God who commands us to turn from our sins in complete surrender to Jesus Christ. To further emphasize the holiness of God, Ken referred to Book of Isaiah, chapter 6.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for. (Isaiah 6:6-7)

This was clearly not the same God that William P. Young had in mind when writing The Shack. The god in The Shack is very flippant toward sin, saying he doesn't punish sin, that sin itself is punishment enough. Why don't you try telling that to the rich man in Luke 16:24!

Over and over again, people would talk about how this book has helped them get closer to God, have a better understanding of God's character and His attributes, all the while completely admitting that it is a book of fiction. Do you see a problem there? You cannot draw closer to God by reading a book about a god who does not exist! This is insanity! Something else that I noticed as the discussion progressed is there was a greater outrage at the way The Shack portrayed the black woman than there was over how it portrayed the Godhead! This again shows you there is no fear of God like Scripture commands! (Prov 9:10) How can there be fear of God, when there is no understanding of His true nature and character. There can't be.

As the evening continued to down the "God is love" road and how He is our "Daddy" and we can snuggle up in His lap, Kevin steps up with Psalm 5:5, which says - "The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.". At this point I thought we were going to be stoned to death. This room full of professing Christians did not like hearing that God hates anyone! How could Kevin say such a mean thing as that? Kevin kept on telling them to read it for themselves, that's what the Word of God says. One lady yells out, "God hates sin, but loves the sinner!". She was quickly asked to show us where that is in the Bible? No where does it say that in the Bible. This is something that was made up so cowardly Christians won't offend wicked men and women. The fact is, God loved Jacob and hated Esau. (Rom 9:13) God hates sin and God hates the wicked (Prov 6:16-19). He hates the wicked so much that they will spend an eternity of eternities under the torment of His wrath! (Rom 2:5, Rev 21:8) So, is God love? Absolutely! (John 3:16) He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and calls all men to repentance. (Ezek 33:11) At the same time, God is Holy and Just and must punish sin where ever it is found. (Rom 6:23, Ezek 18:20)

There were 4 women that stood out in the crowd as being exceptionally irritated with our presence. 2 of them in the back kept whispering back and forth and pointing in our direction with expressions of anger each time one of us would speak. The other 2 women, who too were visibly upset at our defense of Scripture, had heard enough and finally got up and walked out of the classroom. While we were not happy they left, we know the Holy Spirit was present that evening and their irritation was evidence that He was on the move. A much better response than apathy. We must keep these ladies in prayer that the LORD will use the truth and authority of Scripture heard that evening to reveal Himself to them and bring them to repentance and the knowledge of truth.

Shortly afterwards, a lady to my right spoke up and said that she like The Shack because it was about relationships and Jesus Christ came to have a relationship with us. I explained that Jesus Christ came to save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21), not to have a relationship with us! Again, there is a lack of understanding of Scripture, of the Gospel, of the nature and will of God.

Throughout the evening we were the only people who were defending the Word of God, the rest of the class were quick to defend The Shack and all of the "so called" truth within it. We have no idea of how God moved that night, but we do know He was glorified, His name was proclaimed in Truth and to Him alone be the glory! As the class ended we were thanked for coming, we talked with many people and took the liberty to share the Gospel with a few of them... from law to grace!

People are relying more and more on the Christian Best Sellers list of books for their so-called theology and life instruction, instead of Scripture itself. There is little or no Christian discernment exercised by the professing Christian reader and it mostly stems from their lack of study of Scripture. Such a lack that they do not know the Word of God well enough to know false teaching when they see it. The Shack, as well as others like it in today's so-called Christian books stores, are evidence that 2 Timothy 4:3-4 is being fulfilled.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Tim 4:3-4)

Our call as Christians is to follow Christ (John 12:26), not some fictional god in a blasphemous storybook.


To God alone be the glory!

St. Louis Evangelism Team


As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)