Weekly Devotional

“THE SHACK”

By Wm. Paul Young

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

1 John 4:1, HCS

            William Paul Young’s best selling book, “The Shack” presents us with a great story line full of potential: How do we reconcile the biblical teachings of God’s grace, mercy, compassion and love with the most horrific events one might face in this life?  The story itself centers on a man (Mack) whose youngest daughter is kidnapped, abused and murdered.  It is his story of coming to grips with the death of his daughter – and finding peace with God.  It is an intriguing story line, somewhat well written and certainly one which could have benefited untold millions.  However, because of its theological poverty and misdirection, its impact will not be positive. 

            The first problem is Young’s treatment of the scriptures.  In the book, Scripture is essentially put on the same level as natural revelation or any other inspiring human work.  It is not considered or presented anywhere in the story as the authoritative Word of God.  Young undermines the authority of the Bible by using a particular literary device called misdirection.  Whenever Mack begins to speak a scriptural truth – one of the “trinity” characters will insinuate that Mack is stating an error – but will never correct his supposed error leaving more questions than answers. 

            The second issue of concern has to do with the presentation of the Trinitarian nature of God.  While the story does – rightly – challenge many of our particularly western stereotypes of the person of God, it is terribly lacking in at least two areas.  The first has to do with the idea of metaphor.  The Trinitarian nature of God is not a metaphor.  God does not simply reveal Himself to us in a particular way so that we may accept His revelation.  The Bible teaches us that there is only One God – in three distinct and eternal persons.  However, Young’s idea of the trinity is a form of the heresy called Modalism which was rejected by the church in the third century AD.  This heresy taught that God appears in different “modes” (i.e., father, son and spirit) at different times but that these modes of revelation by no means reveal separate persons; thus the scars on “Papa’s” hands.

            Finally, there is the issue of Young’s treatment of sin and the atonement.  The Papa character directly tells Mack that God doesn’t punish sin because sin punishes itself.  Also, Jesus’ work on the cross is presented only as an example of suffering and sacrifice.  Yet, we know that the Bible teaches that God does punish sin.  In fact, Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross is payment for that punishment for those who repent and believe in Him.  This is the very heart of the gospel and must be diligently guarded by all who love the Truth.

            There is certainly more that we could say about the book.  Let me just conclude by saying, don’t waste your time.

Grace Abundantly, Wes