Anyone Read the Shack?

[Jerry]

That's exactly the part I was talking about. I don't have the book next to me or I'd look it up myself. If you could look it up and maybe find quotes that prove it isn't teaching that suicide causes you to lose your salvation, that would be great. :smile

I also remember something in the second part of the book, where Christiana and the children are walking through Vanity Fair. The children were warned not to put on the worldly clothing (they had to stay in white robes or whatever), but it seemed like if they put on this worldly clothing they wouldn't be able to get into Heaven if they were still wearing it. It's been a long time since I read the book... so this is all just what I remember from the ideas of what I saw when I read it.

It would be awesome if someone could prove that I totally misread these parts of the book, but I've talked to some other people who read the book and they agreed with me.

I have read/studied the book several times. As a younger Christian, I had someone tell me the book taught works-based salvation, so I reread it again, looking to see if there was anywhere it did that. The points the person made were taken out of context, and taken in context, they taught no such thing. Bunyan was a Calvinist - but he was right on about how to be saved. His other allegory, The Holy War, does contain some Calvinist doctrine, but I have not found any false teaching in Pilgrim's Progress.

I will look up those passages today, and post the context. It is possible that your friends (or even you) had edited copies of that book, and I know the modern version does contain some changed parts - such as passages against idolatry and Catholicism (ie speaking against the Pope, which is presented as one of the giants in the story) being removed or altered to give a different meaning.

Part of what you may be referring to is the fact that Bunyan shows that a true Christian WILL persevere and reach Heaven. The pitfalls Christian encounters were sidetracks. There are other characters he meets - all sorts of religious folks - whose fall into various pitfalls was their doom, because they were never saved to being with, they were just false professors of salvation. He does not teach a true believer can lose their salvation, but that a false believer will eventually be exposed for what he is.

[hspeer]

I have not read The Shack, but a book club that I was a member of was going to read it and from what several of the people who had read it told me, I questioned it big time. These same ladies had gone on and on about how "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn had changed their lives and the way they view their eternal home. THAT book was so wrong in it's doctrine of heaven, that I question The Shack as well. It always puzzles me when people say that certain books besides the Bible (books that are actually contrary to the Bible) change their lives in a positive way (they think). If a book is against the Bible in doctrine or in theory I don't see how it's going to influence your life for the good unless it's to help establish that you don't believe what is in that book and it establishes your belief in the Bible. I just didn't see the point of reading a book that I knew from the outset had so many contradictions to the Bible. :hide

[kevinmiller]

Maybe it doesn't sound so interesting. :frog I don't think I could handle a book that portrayed God and the Holy Spirit as a woman. It sounds very dishonoring to a Holy God.

[futurehope]

Maybe it doesn't sound so interesting. :frog I don't think I could handle a book that portrayed God and the Holy Spirit as a woman. It sounds very dishonoring to a Holy God.

See, I told you we don't always disagree!!

Seriously, this book sounds pretty messed up.

[Guest Guest]

Thanks, Jerry. The copy that I read was a newer paperback copy... it was when I was homeschooled in ACE (I was required to read the book and we ordered it from ACE, so it was brand new). It's possible that some things were edited because I don't remember any reference to Catholics (but maybe I wasn't really paying attention to that).

I'm not trying to pick the book apart. I just remember seeing questionable-ish things in it. I've talked to people on other message boards about it and they remembered the same thing... so maybe we both got messed-up copies of it. :Bleh

[His by Grace]

I just simply don't have that kind of time to waste but I read the Bible instead. Did you know? The Truth is in there!!! Amen!!

[Annie]

Its being heralded as the Pilgram's Progress for our generation.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Now, that's funny!

I cannot comment specifically on the book, since I've not read it. In a workshop entitled "Literature and the Christian" that I gave to groups of ladies, this book did come up. The discussion heated up pretty fast, as the audience was divided along two distinct opinions: "the best book I've ever read on the Christian life" and "out and out heresy, if not blasphemy." Fortunately, I was able to diffuse the argument, steering the conversation from that topic, since I had not read the book. Since then, I still haven't made time to read it, but I've read plenty of reviews from both sides, as well as plot summaries; so, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on its contents. Here's an article that our pastor sent around to members of our church. (And, keep in mind that, like me, my pastor loves the literature of George MacDonald, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc.). The article is not written by my pastor, but he endorses its contents. (He has read the book, too.) I've placed some of the article's main points in bold print below.

What You Need To Know About The Shack: A Review Article
Barry Traver

The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity, by Wm. Paul Young. Los Angeles: Windblown Media, 2007, 248 pages, $14.95.

William Paul Young's theological novel The Shack is a contemporary phenomenon that pastors, elders, and deacons must reckon with. Why? One reason is that

[Annie]

To be perfectly clear, I have no problem with symbolism in literature, such as Aslan the Lion symbolizing Christ (although IMO, the "salvation" of Edmund isn't really a true allegory, and probably isn't meant to be, so who knows if Aslan really is meant to symbolize Christ...but that's another discussion altogether). There are many metaphors/symbols for God/Christ in the Bible (Lion, lamb, shepherd, door, bread, living water, etc., etc., etc.). However, if the article I posted is true, The Shack's depiction of God seems to cross the line from "symbolic" to "graven images," which (even worse) presents major theological problems when the characters meant to represent God do not accurately portray His character. So, I suppose what bothers me most about the book (if the review is correct) is the man-centered theology it advocates. And not just man-centered...but man as God's judge (as if God is obligated to "explain Himself" to man). All symbolism aside, the theological problems alone make the book dangerous, IMO. (And you all know that I'm more "liberal" than a lot of you when it comes to literary choices.)

[His by Grace]

Read Pilgram's Progress then!!!!!!! It is fabulous !!!! I have had the time to read and none was wasted!!!!!!!

[Annie]

Read Pilgram's Progress then!!!!!!! It is fabulous !!!! I have had the time to read and none was wasted!!!!!!!

Oh, I have read Pilgrim's Progress, many times, and in many different editions/versions/formats. Lately, I've read some great editions with my children. My 9yo son recently finished a wonderfully illustrated version with much of the original language, entitled Dangerous Journey. (Hooray for children's books that haven't been dumbed down!!) It was his literature assignment for school (we homeschool). He was supposed to read a few pages a day, but he couldn't put it down and always begged for "just one more page." Finally, I just gave up and let him read it on his own. He finished it later that day. Hey, our family can't get enough of literature like that! So, I wholeheartedly concur with your recommendation. Pilgrim's Progress is a must-read for every Pilgrim!

[4everHis]

I have read the book. (A lady wanted to discuss it with me and get a Baptist's view on the meaning. She was holding a Bible study using this as the text. Of course, that sentence makes no sense, but I am repeating it as it was presented to me:smilie_loco:4)

The book had some serious problems in it if it was supposed to be an allegory. I have a problem with the character using curse words when speaking to God. I have a problem with the choice of personification of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not just the gender, but the personalities. This book seemed to me to be a guy who was trying to work out some issues he had with faith and this is the result. How it can be lauded as the next PP is beyond me. How it can be sold so widely in Christian book stores is revelatory to the shallow content and teaching they currently receive to have this be considered deep and meaningful. Just my opinion.

[1Timothy115]

No, and I don't have time to see the review so, let the Holy Spirit be your guide.