Undoubtedly you are aware of The Shack, the runaway bestselling "Christian" book by William P Young. I discovered it because it is discussed, reviewed and endorsed on Ken Davis 's blog (Davis of Lighten Up! ministries). Davis puts it up there with CS Lewis's work, and writes that if you read it, "It will change your life." It may just do that. Change it for the worse.It is being sold through LifeWay (albeit with a very weak warning). It was even touted at the Christian Booksellers Association as the next great thing, but this book is dangerous heresy. It is doing its part to help water down biblical theology, impose wrong thinking, and ushering in Apostasy.
I give this book no quarter.
I had heard heard Davis preach a solidly biblical sermon at Praisefest, so on that strength I bought The Shack. Its first 80 pages are a literate person's thrill, well-written, sensitive, and extremely readable. However, the moment the main character opened the door to The Shack to where he has been invited by "God," the open door of invited trouble began. I continued to read for a while, but was increasingly uncomfortable with the un-biblical teachings in the book and eventually threw the book n the trash after the last straw at around page 130. A bare list of but a few heretical statements and principles in this book:
That God is represented as a woman
That a man can see God's face and live
That the Trinity is equal, all three operating in equal in part, none subservient to GOD
That the Holy Spirit is represented as a woman
That, when asked if Jesus is the only way to heaven, a reply "Jesus is the best way"
That when asked about sin, God replies, "I don't punish sin, sin itself is punishment enough"
Pantheism: ‘God is in all things’
And many more!
A concern is also in the sly ways the book chips away at solid biblical principles with craftily written statements such as, "the dusty old King James Bible" or church attendance is "religious conditioning" or that the term "Christian" is outdated, as uttered by the book's "Jesus", "Who said anything about being a Christian? I am not a Christian" that people may not even be consciously aware of haveing read but are influenced by them anyway.
The book has many examples both overt and covert of biblical un-theology, and I don't care that it is represented as fiction. It is touted as a Christian book, is sold at Christian outlets (Lifeway and CBA among others) but it holds UNchristian teachings, fiction or not. And it is affecting a great many of millions. The author was even interviewed on BBC America Friday night.
My concern is the terrible sweep this book is making over the world, more than even a Course in Miracles. At least with a Course in Miracles, Christians railed against it, readily identifying it as New Age cultism and occultism. However The Shack has gained the acceptance of previously solid (or perceived as solidly) Christian outlets such as LifeWay and the CBA.
This book is a Satanic deception that is now infiltrating even among our own!
Here is a recap about the reception of the book's author from a Christian bookseller who attended the CBA:
"William Paul Young, author of the runaway bestseller, The Shack, attended and spoke to convention attendees at a breakfast on Wednesday morning. You might be aware of Young and his book: the novel, which details a man’s search for emotional healing after the brutal murder of his daughter, has generated controversy due to its odd depiction of the Trinity (for example, “God” is a large black woman; Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah are rumored to be in the lead for the inevitable film role)."
"Young didn’t reveal much about his theology during a discussion format. Instead, he talked about his own narrative, something vastly popular today. No longer do religious speakers present theology and doctrine to audiences. That’s considered hopelessly outdated."
"Instead, one’s own life journey is all the rage. And Young’s poignant story of suffering sexual abuse as a child moved the audience to collective tears. Nothing else mattered, not the questionable elements in the book or Young’s ties to liberal thinkers. The real bottom line is the bottom line. Christian stores are struggling against the giant retailers, who can offer deep discounts for books. Therefore, whatever nominally Christian book which sells big is treated like royalty."
"When Young finished speaking, he left the stage and was embraced warmly by CBA President Bill Anderson. Several attendees rose and applauded." Ugh
DECEPTION! HERESY! SEDUCTION! OUTRAGE!
Here is a link to a solidly theological review by Christian reviewer Tim Challies. Challies' review is gaining acceptance as the go-to review for many online pastors who recognize The Shack as a deception and simply link to it. Challies made his review into a .pdf, it's 17 pages and downloadable. I have a copy and it is worth reading in its entirety. It is is on Tim's web page here.
I worry for unsaved people who read this book and believe that Jesus is only the best way to heaven and that there are others. There aren't. I worry for our saved friends who may taste this book only to open the door to a satanic deception that is sweeping the country and deceiving non-Christians AND Christians. I advocate for a public warning and an exposure against this book from among all who would be so inclined, so I am doing my part. It is obvious that radio pastors, the CBA and Lifeway cannot be trusted as appropriate gatekeepers.
We must hold the gates of the Truth of the bible firmly shut against creeping deceptions, and help each other remain firmly aware, forewarned, and on guard.
