A thorough critique The Shack cannot be accomplished without addressing the issue of Young’s depiction of God in human terms (and bizarre human terms at that!). Throughout the book, Young continually demonstrates a lack of reverence for God. He has done so in what he says about God’s Word, how he interprets and applies God’s Word, and how he has characterized all three members of the Trinity.
In addition to this, the overall premise of the book demonstrates a lack reverence for God. Any attempt to depict God in any image or human term is a transgression of the second commandment:
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” [Exodus 20:4]
This truth is also seen in the writings of Luke:
Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. [Acts 17:29]
Young’s portrayal of God in The Shack is a modern-day carved image. Some clutch to this book claiming that it has revitalized their faith. Some have hailed this book as what drew them to faith in God for the first time. Tragically, such claims are attributable to the emotional (not biblical) appeal that Young’s portrayal of God offers. Young has presented God using manmade imagery and many appear to be following after these false images rather than the true God of the Bible.
The worst abuse of this issue is found in Young’s depiction of all three members of the Trinity in the following passage:
Mack was shocked at the scene in front of him. It appeared that Jesus had dropped a large bowl of some sort of batter or sauce on the floor, and it was everywhere. It must have landed close to Papa because the lower portion of her skirt and bare feet were covered in the gooey mess. All three were laughing so hard that Mack didn’t think they were breathing. Sarayu said something about humans being clumsy and all three started roaring again. Finally, Jesus brushed past Mack and returned a minute later with a large basin of water and towels. Sarayu had already started wiping the goop from the floor and cupboards, but Jesus went straight to Papa and, kneeling at her feet, began to wipe off the front of her clothes. He worked down to her feet and gently lifted one foot at a time, which he directed into the basin where he cleaned and massaged it.
“Ooooh, that feels soooo good!” exclaimed Papa, as she continued her tasks at the counter.
As he leaned against the doorway watching, Mack’s mind was full of thoughts. So this was God in relationship? It was beautiful and so appealing. He knew that it didn’t matter whose fault it was—the mess from some bowl had been broken, that a dish that had been planned would not be shared. . . .
. . . .but greasy fingers over there,” Papa nodded toward Jesus, “decided to see if it would bounce.” (pp. 104-05)
The Three Stooges!
What is Young’s goal in writing such? He has depicted God not only in human terms, but he also portrays the Trinitarian God as a collection of bumbling idiots akin to the Three Stooges. What’s more, he has Mack think, “So this was God in relationship? It was beautiful and so appealing.”
To Whom Will You Liken God?
We must be ultra careful in what we do with God when relating to him and communicating about him. Young certainly would not agree as he has run amuck with imagery of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit throughout the book. God should not be depicted in human terms. This includes portraying the Father a large black woman on one extreme and a grey-headed grandfather figure like Gandoff on the other. God is neither!
To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? [Isaiah 40:18]
