The Shack - Is It a Healthy Read?
“The Shack” by William P. Young is a popular book - a top seller on Amazon.com and unfortunately a book that many young evangelicals are racing to often with support within the Evangelical church. We seem to see a lack of Biblical discernment within the church - often from leadership. Just like Rob Bell, Young’s book attracts the young crowd and just because “everyone is reading it” does not make it a Biblically sound book. “The Shack” has some serious theological problems that include promoting a false view of the Trinity and a heretical concept called modalism.
As I scour the reviews of this book I am amazed at the diverse support for it. There are the so called “heresy-hunters” that most on the liberal front consider “armed and dangerous” with solid doctrine and then there are those on the other end who say, “it’s just a book”.
Some have even be so bold as to compare this book with Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” for its symbolic imagery. I must disagree with this comparison as the teachings (whether intentional or not) are clearly wrong. William Young’s intentions are probably very noble in his book but that does not excuse the clear theological error the book illuminates. Today’s youth (especially in the evangelical church) are starving for truth and since the church visible seems to refuse to give them solid truth they will turn to popular books like this.
Of all the Christian book reviewers out there I must say Tim Challies always gives a solid, Biblical approach to his reviews. His review of “The Shack” is long and detailed and clearly covers the problems in this book.
Tim Challie’s in his excellent review of this book writes
Overall, I had to conclude that Young has an inadequate and often-unbiblical understanding of the Trinity. While granting that the Trinity is a very difficult topic to understand and one that we cannot know fully, there are several indications that he often blurs the distinct persons of the Trinity along with their roles and their unique attributes. Combined with his novel but unsupported conjectures, this is a serious concern.
If anything, the popularity of this book inside the church shows a constant lack of discernment and the lack of knowledge of core Biblical theology. It is so sad that we do not read our Bibles enough nor do American churches focus on good doctrine so as to equip their flocks to properly discern heresy when they see or read it.
Challies continues:
Because of the sheer volume of error and because of the importance of the doctrines reinvented by the author, I would encourage Christians, and especially young Christians, to decline this invitation to meet with God in The Shack. It is not worth reading for the story and certainly not worth reading for the theology.
Please take a moment to read Tim Challie’s full review of “The Shack”.
It’s time the church was more discerning in what they hear, read and see. There are those out there that will intentionally try and lead people down the wrong path and there are those that unintentionally do. I personally believe that “The Shack” falls into the latter group. But regardless of the intent, bad doctrine is bad doctrine and when it comes to essential doctrinal teachings there is no middle ground.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Comments
I thank you for leaving your thoughts on the Web for people to read, but I think you need to rewrite this review with evidence to show your claims.
You make claims but give nothing to stand on. If you want the youth of America not to read this book than give a reason (biblical support)
Hi Jeremy,
Not only should the youth of America not read this book but all ages. Instead of providing a lengthy review here I simply wanted to point everyone to one of the best reviews out there by Tim Challies. Tim does a superb job breaking down the issues with this problematic book on his site. I’d encourage you to follow the link on the blog post and read Tim’s review.
Jay,
I’d like to dialogue with you about your concerns of the shack. I am the Co-Senior Pastor of Crossroads Church of Denver (Calvary Chapel church) and we’ve had William Paul Young to our church to speak. Have you read the book completely for yourself?
If so I’d like to discuss a few things with you as I believe so many people are missing the point of the book as they split theological hairs.
Hi Brandon,
I have not read the Shack. (And yes, I receive much flack from that.) It’s just not a book that I would read anyway and given the attention it has received from extremely trustworthy sources (i.e. - Dr. Al Mohler, etc.) and my own pastor who have read and provided a good review, I don’t want to add this one to my shelf. There are far too many wonderful, theologically sound books for the Christian to read. The Shack is not one of them.
I’m sure that Mr. Young was an excellent speaker, but unfortunately his misrepresentation of the Holy Trinity through modalism and a one sided view of the attributes of God, namely only His love, is a serious issue in his book. My concern is that we are so permeated in the American church today with these types of books and the average Christian has no ability to carefully discern basic theological issues in what they are reading. It is concerning that we must spend so much time having to warn the church about these books when they should be able to discern rightly without such attention. This is why the Mormons and JW cults continue to grow and become accepted within Christendom since many believers sincerely believe their jesus is the same as the One true Jesus Christ of Holy Scripture.
Splitting theological hairs is important when it comes to essentials. For example, the “Left Behind Series” touches on non-essentials in eschatological issues so while I’m not a fan of those books I’m not warning people with the fervor that I do with “The Shack”. Theological hairs need splitting in many instances.
I realize I may be coming across a little harsh but I have a passion for upholding and defending true Biblical, orthodox doctrine and when a book like the Shack does a very poor job of illustrating the attributes and substance of God Almighty we need to stand up.
I guess I would say that I am reasonably educated. :-) I attended USC in Music then changed majors to Computer Science. Became saved and began taking distance ed courses from Dallas and now enrolled at CIU with emphasis in Biblical Languages. As my “about me” page states, my goal is to one day teach theology at the seminary level.
Not sure what my educational background would have to do with “The Shack” though. :-)
At any rate, you’ve probably got some great information direct from the author of the book as I am sure he may have touched on some of the heat he’s received on the book. Would love for you to share what you learned directly from Mr. Young. I’d also be interested to know how you handle the serious theological issues in the book. I am very familiar with Calvary Chapel and knowing that your denomination is very expositional in preaching and teaching (which I greatly commend) I wonder how you deal with issues that may come up in the book.
Please understand my position on this book is purely in love towards protecting those who read it. While people of your caliber within the church who are able to read such things and discern properly exist, it’s not the norm in today’s churches. Interested to get your viewpoints on why one should read “The Shack” and why it is not problematic as Mr. Challies and others have stated quite well. You stated in your first comment that people are missing the point. What would you say is the point of “The Shack”?
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I thank you for speaking truth. So many Christians are being deceived by this book. We need more people to stand up for truth.
In Christ,
Val Renkens