I was just wondering if any of my readers have read, "The Shack" by William P. Young, and what they thought about it? I've been hearing both sides of it, from how New Age it is, to how great it is. I just finished it and I would love to hear your opinions on the book no matter what way you leaned. Please leave a comment. (For those who aren't sure how...hit the comment button, type your message, leave it under anonymous, but PLEASE type your name at the bottom of your comment so I know who left it.)
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6 years ago
6 comments:
Funny you posted about this, Julie. Travis read this book, liked it, and said it was a real page turner. He had trouble putting it down. When I asked him just now what he likes about it, he said "It makes you think more in-depth abou the Trinity and examine what we've been taught. [As in, are we mindlessly following along with an image of God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit that someone has concocted?]
On the other hand, I was surprised to see an e-mail from the Christian Research Institute (Hank Hanegraff, The Bible Answer Man) with the subject line, "How should Christians respond to "The Shack." I forwarded it on to Travis and only read a bit of his article of how he felt pastors were enorsing this book despite the fact that it is unbiblical (according to Hank).
I was going to read the book myself, but I'm hesitant now. Did you like it?
Jae
Jae,
At this point I don't want to answer your question fully, but here's some advise someone gave me when I started reading it. She said, "Don't go into the book looking to see if the doctrine lines up perfectly but just read it for the story that it is."
One of the reasons I decided to read it was because I had some friends who read it and loved it, and then I had friends who "heard" it was bad and Christians should stay away from it. I wanted to know for myself what was said. Nothing bugs me more then when people take out one little line, and they usually take it out of context, then they say the whole thing is bad. It was done with the Purpose Driven Life and many other books including topics in the Bible.
I also want to add that I won't typically read books that I feel are flat out against what God stands for, i.e. books I KNOW are New Age, and I also think of Harry Potter because of the sorcery and witchcraft involved.
I will let you know what I thought soon.
I loved the book. I wouldn't say it's unbiblical. I would say it's extra-biblical. I couldn't find any doctrine that contradicted scripture, although there is a lot of doctrine which is also not supported by scripture.
I loved how Father God is portrayed at first and the reason for that portrayal. I also love the concept that Jesus gave up not only his Spirit-ness when becoming fully human, but his power as well - and only acted on power from the Father. I think we need to be careful when giving new believers this book, but I think for a seasoned believer who's probably trapped in more religion than relationship, this can be a true breath of fresh air.
So how do people justify saying it's New Age? That, I don't understand so much.
I got about 20 people to buy it so we could do a quick online book club, then life happened and I have been the last. I went in with some caution, but having watched a great interview with the author, I did not fear him unsettling my theology. I loved how he explaine the shack as a metaphor for where any of us got stuck - that thing, that loss, that unbelievable wounding that took almost everything from us.
Anyone I know who has ever faced that? Gets it. But it is timing, too.
I think I have to agree with all of you ladies.
Jae, it definitely makes you think more in-depth and examine what you've always been taught. I would say if you read it, push through it. Don't get so caught up in one thing that you don't read it all. (I almost did that.)
Anna Grace, I too would suggest a more "seasoned believer" to read it, or at least a believer who will follow things with a study of Scripture. My concern would be for those who might go in thinking this is "definitely" how it all works, and then totally base their whole set of beliefs on a fictional book.
Jeanie, I would also say it is a matter of timing. I actually started reading the book, got a "block" to it. I then decided I wasn't going to finish it, but then the gal I borrowed it from asked me about it. I then figured I needed to get through it so I could discuss it with her. After 3 weeks of not touching it, I then was able to pick it up and get through it and I would even say I "learned" from it. It made me think, "It could be that way!"
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