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"He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord."
Psalm 33:5
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The Shack (Part 3)
The Shack (Part 3)
As Mack continues on his journey he is able to continually spend quality time with Jesus. During one of these outings, Jesus tells him, “Those who love me have come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims; some are Democrats, some Republicans and many don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institution…I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my beloved brothers and sisters, into my Beloved.” Okay, so the term ‘Christian’ was not used when Christ was alive. The term today is used to refer to somebody who has surrendered their life to Jesus Christ and been born again (at least, that is what it is supposed to mean).
Is Young really trying to say Jesus does not care if you become a Christian (turn to Christ) as long as you are transforming into, “sons and daughters of Papa,”? Jesus cannot ‘join’ us in our transforming into children of God. He is the sole reason we become children of God! The entire gospel of John testifies to this fact.
It does appear Young is suggesting something dangerously border lining on pluralism. But he covers his tracks in the following paragraph. Mack asks if Jesus is saying all roads will eventually lead to Jesus (that would be the logical conclusion from the above quote). Jesus answers by denying pluralism, but presenting another theological falsehood. “Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.”
Why would Jesus say that in light of Matthew 7:13-14, which says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it,”? Every single road leads somewhere: heaven or hell. You will go to one. And more are choosing destruction than they are eternal life. Saying, “Most roads don’t lead anywhere,” is simply not true.
Other theological falsehoods are scattered throughout the book. Young says that since the saved are no longer under the law we no longer have to follow the rules. It is true we are not under the law, but again Young misrepresents and cuts scripture. Paul says explicitly in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that all things are lawful, BUT all things are not profitable (a fact Young conveniently fails to mention in his book). Romans 6 emphasizes that we must not live in sin but grow in holiness. We must strive to keep God’s commandments every second of our lives.
Other areas of the book also state that ALL sins were AUTOMATICALLY forgiven at the cross (without repentance and faith), and that the Holy Spirit is a wind which can be found in art. Further, God did not mention judgment and hell one time throughout the entire book. How can anyone biblically represent God if he does not mention his holiness and passionate hate for sin one single time? Mack swears and uses curse words in front of Almighty God, who does not appear to be bothered at all by such language.
As extensive as I have tried to make this review, I have not come even close to hitting every theological mistake and misrepresentation Young makes of God throughout the book’s 252 pages. That is not to say there are no bright spots throughout the book. Young emphasizes that we must not be angry with God for tragedies, and that we must turn to Him. In one section of the book Jesus tells Mack in reference to spending time with God, “Don’t go because you feel obligated. That won’t get you any points around here. Go because it’s what you want to do.” He also makes some valid points about why God allows such tragedies as murder to take place.
Here is the problem. Very few of his points are biblically based. They are creative conjecture at best. And considering his conjectures are based on a false understanding of who God is, I cannot take anything he says to heart. The Shack presents a God people love to hear about. Young tickles his readers ears (see 2 Timothy 4:3) and imaginations. He creates a God in his mind that is compassionate (as the God of the Bible is), not holy, passive toward sin, and that has no desire for you to repent. In light of this, why has this book become so popular in today’s culture? Why are pastors who are supposed to be feeding their flock the food of the word selling this book by the case full and thus feeding their congregations theological slop? It is nothing but a symptom of a much greater issue.
The Church is abandoning solid teaching and turning to what the world has to offer. The pearl that is the gospel is being replaced by a shiny plastic façade that is leading to destruction. With as much love and compassion as I can muster I stand and say horrible teaching like this cannot possibly help one to understand the God of the Bible. In the words of Chuck Colson, stay out of The Shack. And encourage your Christians brothers and sisters to do the same.