There are numerous other biblical problems with The Shack that could be discussed…but enough is enough! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if you read The Shack, read with your Bible right beside it. Clutch your Bible in your right hand and don’t let go!
As you spend more time in The Shack, you find that Young’s writing is very slippery in a very subtle way. This is the method of false teachers. In the book of Acts, Paul warns the church as follows:
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [Acts 20:29-30]
The stunning reality of this verse is found in the origin of the false teachers. Paul does not say that the church will be attacked by false teachers (fierce wolves) who kick in the front door and stand before the congregation spewing venomous false teachings. On the contrary, Paul states that these fierce wolves will “arise from among your own selves.” In other words, they will seem familiar and at some point in time were welcomed into the gathering. This is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Another critical observation of this verse shows us that the fierce wolves will speak “twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” The term “twisted things” can best be described as subtle alterations to the truth of Scripture. These alterations can include:
- slight adjustments to word order in a verse
- subtle omissions or additions of little words or phrases in a verse
- using verses out of their context
- misusing verses in tandem when trying to make a point
- arguing for a wrong definition of a word
Each of these “twists” can totally alter the intended meaning of the inspired Scriptures. If believed, these twists can draw the disciples away and cause them to follow after them in error. We see these twists used by Young in The Shack repeatedly.
So, I conclude that The Shack as a whole is contrary to the Bible on a multitude of issues. It is a book that should not be endorsed as a Christian book. I don’t necessarily discourage you from reading the book so long as you can stay grounded in the Bible. It is a good exercise (with caution) for Christians in that it exposes “cultural Christianity” for what it really is: a false gospel. Furthermore, reading such books will enable us to know the language and error of the culture so that we can speak to the issues that contradict God’s Word.
However, I do discourage you from ever referring this book to a non-Christian. With no biblical framework to rely upon, they will be enticed to believe wrongly about God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and his exclusive offer of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Instead, give them the truths of Scripture and pray for the Holy Spirit to wash them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Glory of the Father.
