The Shack: Should You Go There?

"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son."
~ 2 John 1: 9

Let me start out by saying I have not read "The Shack" nor do I plan on it.

Sometimes, it's not necessary to read something to know that it's of no value. I don't need to read "Playboy" to know that it's pornography. I don't need to read the Koran or the Book of Mormon to know that what they teach is contradictory to God's Word. In the case of "The Shack", enough has been said and written about it to know that it's filled with heresy.

Some who've read it claim it has brought them closer to God. To that I say, "What God?" Certainly not the God of the Bible. Not with all the blatant heresy that this book delivers.

Some say it's just a fictional novel; don't take it so seriously. Ok. Fine. Then why have so many people read it to better understand God? I find it perplexing that Christians can read this book and claim it has broadened their understanding of God especially when there is so much in it that goes completely against what the Bible says about His character. Sadly, I think there are many who've read this book and don't even see the errors, heresy or mis-characterization of God, Jesus and The Trinity as a whole. Like many, they enjoyed this book because it made them feel good and it provided a (false) view of God that they want to hear & believe. The Shack is just another example of mankind creating God in his own image to suit his emotional desires.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." ~ 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

There are several major issues with The Shack that every reader needs to be aware of; especially those Christians who see nothing wrong with it...

1) Unbiblical view of the nature of God, Christ & the Trinity

2) Unbiblical view of Sin and substitutionary attonement

3) Unbiblical view of Salvation

4) Rejection of traditional Christianity, Scripture and the role of the Church

5) Characterizing God through experience -vs- Scripture

6) False view of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ

7) Heretical view of the Father suffering

8) Promotion of Universalism

9) Wrong view of Faith and Reason

10) Eliminates Knowledge of God

Below, are a few links to some excellent reviews on "The Shack". Whether you've read it and liked it or, you're curious about it, I would highly recommend reading these reviews. To fully understand this book as well as the reviews, compare what it says against Scripture.


"The Shack"- Tim Challies book review

"The Shack"- Helpful or Heretical? A review by Geisler & Roach

"The Shack"- review by William Paul Young

Author of The Shack, Denies the Penal Substitutionary Atonement


In summary, this is not a book for those seeking to find out who the true God is nor, is it a book for the Christian hoping to deepen their relationship with God. If you want to know who God is; if you want to grow deeper in your relationship with Him or, if you're searching for answers, there is only one book that covers it all without confusion, distortion or sugar-coating: The Bible.


"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." ~ 2 Timothy 3: 16

~ktf~
John