Hello Friends!
Much interest has been generated regarding the book titled "The Shack" by William P. Young and has become quite popular within the Christian community. The following is a short excerpt to capture some of the false teachings and ideas found throughout this book. I also shared this information with my head pastor and other church leaders to explain why we must not promote this book to the congregation, as it in no way leads anyone to the true Jesus Christ of the Bible. It is my hope that this information will assist you in your Christian duty to expose the lies of the enemy and defend the true Christian Faith. Enjoy!
The Shack
The book titled "The Shack" is a fictional testimony full of tear-jerking dialogue and has been widely accepted in today's postmodern churches and calls for a similar denial of reality. Yet countless pastors and church leaders are delighting in its message, especially within the Emergent Church arena. By ignoring (or redefining) sin and guilt, they embrace an inclusive but counterfeit "Christianity" that draws crowds but distorts the Bible. Discounting satan as well, they weaken God's warnings about deception. Here are some examples from the book to support my claims:
"God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things.... (Pantheism: God is all, all is God) --The Shack's "Jesus." [page 112]
"Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims.... 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 brothers and sisters.” --The Shack's "Jesus." [page 182]
The books also denotes a female "God." Here she is speaking to the main character, Mackenzie (Mack for short):
"For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning." [page 93]
"Religious conditioning?" Is that how Mr. Young views Biblical Christianity? It's easy to be persuaded by his clever arguments. The Shack is written as a personal testimony that draws readers into virtual dialogues with a playful, culturally relevant "God." The Shack leads readers into vicarious experiences in a world of revelations and sensations. The only sin-like issue here is independence - a refusal to accept universal oneness with "God" and man. Unhindered by Biblical guidelines, The Shack offers no standard for right or wrong and no atonement for sin, so there's no real need for Biblical repentance. It fits right into the popular vision of a unifying, non-judgmental church.
"So how do I become part of that church?" asks Mack. "It's simple," answers the fictional "Jesus." "It's all about relationships and simply sharing life... being open and available to others around us. My church is all about people, and life is all about relationships." [page 178]
That sounds partly true, as do most spiritual lies! For example, Jesus criticized the Pharisees who "searched the Scriptures" but refused to "come" to Him. Today's postmodern seekers are just as foolish. They ignore unwanted Scriptures, and then flock to the culturally attuned "Jesus" of their imaginations.
In The Shack, readers meet a permissive "God" that "submits" to their human ways. They look through the veil between life and death, see the joy beyond, and communicate with loved ones - subtle examples of "calling up the dead" in which the Bible forbids (Deut. 18:11). Mack "sees" the colorful "auras" that show spiritual maturity among the dead-but-alive. He even practices astral travel - what The Shack calls "flying" - a word popularized by Maharishi Yogi back in the 1960's and made main-stream popularity by the music group The Beatles.
"Such a powerful ability, the imagination!" said The Shack's fictional "Jesus." "That power alone makes you so like us." [page 140]
Here the boundaries of the church are broadened to include almost everyone. The only exception seems to be "independent" folks who refuse to "come" to this universal "God." This isn't Christianity - and this false "Jesus" would agree. When Mack asks him what it "means to be a Christian," he answers:
“'Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian." The idea struck Mack as odd and unexpected and he couldn’t keep himself from grinning. "No, I suppose you aren’t." [page 182]
Of course, he's not! The word "Christian" refers to Christ's followers - not to Jesus - and it has always clashed with trendy cultures. Even when 'the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26), that word was a derogatory label used by enemies of the Church. But that didn't keep faithful Christians from joyfully claiming that name and sharing His Word.
In closing:
It is my desire to expose the darkness and the lies of the enemy with solid Truth from God's Word. It is a Biblical mandate for Christians to study to show ourselves approved by God, occupy until He returns and understand the times and know what God would have us to do. We must hold to a Biblical Worldview in all areas of life, as well as share the gospel message that draws sinners to repentance of personal sin and a true faith in Jesus Christ alone for redemption.
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)
Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)
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