I've personally never been so offended at a book being passed off as "Christian" as I have been with The Shack. What is really frightening to me is how this book is running rampant through churches. People are claiming that they see Jesus in a whole new way after reading it. Well, sure they do. The Jesus presented in this sham isn't the Jesus of the Bible. This book is full of false doctrine, the worst being the trinity represented here isn’t the Trinity of the Bible.
My attempt here is to show some of the more blatant errors of this book compared to Scripture.
My attempt here is to show some of the more blatant errors of this book compared to Scripture.
1) page14 ~ “Although spring was surely just around the corner, the god of winter was not about to relinquish its hard-won dominion without a tussle.”
If this is a “Christian” book why is he starting out with a mention of the “god of winter” in the very first paragraph?
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me”
Since when do we compare Christ’s death on the cross to a Native American pagan ritual sacrifice to demonic “god’s”? This parallel should never even be suggested in a piece of “Christian” literature.
1 Cor 10:20 “...but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”
The "Great Spirit" is not Jehovah God of the Bible. He is a Native American, pantheistic god, that is embodied in everything. This concept more closely resembles the Hindu Brahman belief. If the Great Spirit were truly Jehovah God then why do we bother to send missionaries to the Native American tribes since they should already know about Him?
Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.”
His deception is the messy part, not the honesty.
Proverbs 6:16-17 “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue........”
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me”
2) Pages 27-29 ~ The main character, Mack, tells a story to his daughter, Missy, about an Indian princess. The princess commits suicide by throwing herself off of a cliff, as a sacrifice, in order to save the warriors, as well as her betrothed, of the tribe from a wasting illness. The story ends
with this quote from the book: “Missy usually loved the telling, almost as much as Mack did. It had all the elements of a true redemption story, not unlike the story of Jesus that she knew so well. It centered on a father who loved his only child and a sacrifice foretold by a prophet. Because of love, the child willingly gave up her life to save her betrothed ad their tribes from certain death.” with this quote from the book: “Missy usually loved the telling, almost as much as Mack did. It had all the elements of a true redemption story, not unlike the story of Jesus that she knew so well. It centered on a father who loved his only child and a sacrifice foretold by a prophet. Because of love, the child willingly gave up her life to save her betrothed ad their tribes from certain death.”
Since when do we compare Christ’s death on the cross to a Native American pagan ritual sacrifice to demonic “god’s”? This parallel should never even be suggested in a piece of “Christian” literature.
1 Cor 10:20 “...but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”
3) Page 31 ~ “Is the Great Spirit another name for God - you know, Jesus’ papa? Mack smiled in the dark. Obviously, Nan’s nightly prayers were having an effect. “I would suppose so. It’s a good name for God because he is a Spirit and he is Great.”
The "Great Spirit" is not Jehovah God of the Bible. He is a Native American, pantheistic god, that is embodied in everything. This concept more closely resembles the Hindu Brahman belief. If the Great Spirit were truly Jehovah God then why do we bother to send missionaries to the Native American tribes since they should already know about Him?
Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.”
4) Pages 67-68 “Secretly, he began to make plans to travel to the shack the following weekend. At first he told no one, not even Nan. He had no reasonable defense in any exchange that would result after such a disclosure, and he was afraid that he might get locked up and the key thrown away. Anyway, he rationalized such a conversation would only bring more pain with no resolution. “I am keeping it to myself for Nan’s sake,” he told himself. Besides, acknowledgingthe note would mean admitting that he had kept secrets from her; secrets he still justified in his own mind. Sometimes honesty can be incredibly messy.” the note would mean admitting that he had kept secrets from her; secrets he still justified in his own mind. Sometimes honesty can be incredibly messy.”
His deception is the messy part, not the honesty.
Proverbs 6:16-17 “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue........”
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
5) pages 86-87 ~ ““you could call me what Nan does” “What? You don’t mean...” Now Mack was surprised and even more confused. Surely this was not the Papa who sent the note? “I mean, are you saying, Papa?” “Yes,” she responded and smiled.”
This is where Mack meets “God” who is portrayed by an African American woman who goes by the name “Papa”. This is an interesting choice on the author’s part, especially considering the fact that there is a very real Polynesian goddess that also goes by the name “Papa”. http://www.powersthatbe.com/goddess/papa.html
Rom 1:22-23 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
(Underlined emphasis mine)
God himself is never mentioned in the Bible as having any specific color. I think this is a beautiful thing because it underscores how he came to all of us. Jesus himself came as a Middle Eastern Jew which means he had the genetic information of ALL of the colors of people. Middle Eastern families regularly produce such a wide variety of colors within one family that you can get a child from very light (white) to very dark (black).
http://www.answersingenesis.org/arti...ifferent-races
God is never once portrayed as anything but a male in the Bible. To suggest otherwise is heresy.
Deuteronomy 32:6 “Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?”
I could also possibly make the case that this represents The Black Madonna which has roots in the Earth Mother beliefs as well as the Hindu goddess Kali.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Madonna
http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugo...s/a/makali.htm
Rom 1:22-23 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
(Underlined emphasis mine)
God himself is never mentioned in the Bible as having any specific color. I think this is a beautiful thing because it underscores how he came to all of us. Jesus himself came as a Middle Eastern Jew which means he had the genetic information of ALL of the colors of people. Middle Eastern families regularly produce such a wide variety of colors within one family that you can get a child from very light (white) to very dark (black).
http://www.answersingenesis.org/arti...ifferent-races
God is never once portrayed as anything but a male in the Bible. To suggest otherwise is heresy.
Deuteronomy 32:6 “Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?”
I could also possibly make the case that this represents The Black Madonna which has roots in the Earth Mother beliefs as well as the Hindu goddess Kali.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Madonna
http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugo...s/a/makali.htm
6) page 87~ “Suddenly, he [Mack] felt faint. Emotion swept over him as his mind attempted desperately to catch up with all the information. Just as he was about to crumple to his knees, the Asian woman stepped closer and deflected his attention. “And I am Sarayu,” she said as she tilted her head in a slight bow and smiled. “Keeper of the gardens, among other things.”
Now we have another woman being thrust into the Holy Trinity. Here the Holy Spirit is portrayed by an Asian woman who’s name is Sarayu. Another interesting choice considering that the name “Sarayu” is from the Hindu scriptures and represents a mythical river in India on the shores of which the Hindu god Rama was born.
Exodus 20:3 “you shall have no other gods before me.”
I have a serious problem with someone putting such crudeness in the mouth of God.
Leviticus 10:3 “Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: "'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.'" Aaron remained silent.”
Religious conditioning? Is he implying that God’s Word, who portrays Him as a male, is religious conditioning? So what is He then? Male or Female? Can’t we trust the Word of God to tell us the truth? Yes, we can! If the Bible says He is male then He is male. The Bible says what it means and means what it says.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace”
This quote comes from the author’s website:
Exodus 20:3 “you shall have no other gods before me.”
7) page 88~ “”Well, Mackenzie, don’t just stand there gawkin’ with your mouth open like your pants are full,” said the big black woman as she turned and headed across the deck.”
I have a serious problem with someone putting such crudeness in the mouth of God.
Leviticus 10:3 “Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: "'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.'" Aaron remained silent.”
8) page 93 ~ “Mackenzie, I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature. If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it’s because I love you. 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.”
Religious conditioning? Is he implying that God’s Word, who portrays Him as a male, is religious conditioning? So what is He then? Male or Female? Can’t we trust the Word of God to tell us the truth? Yes, we can! If the Bible says He is male then He is male. The Bible says what it means and means what it says.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace”
9) Page 100~ “Jesus, as a human being, had no power within himself to heal anyone”
This quote comes from the author’s website:
"The second element is this: if Jesus drew occasionally upon his `God' capabilities, then how could he qualify as my representative and substitute, let alone model a dependent human life - I can't do that? He would have ceased being a truly human sacrifice.
I am personally convinced that Jesus was born, lived, died, was raised and now reigns as a fully human being, and has not drawn upon his deity ever in that process." Willie P Young
Mr. Young needs to read his Bible more. He couldn’t have possibly gotten
it more wrong.
Luk 9:42-43 “And as he was yet coming, the devil threw him down, and tore him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God....”
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
10) Page 155-116 ~ “Those who have never flown this way might think those who believe they do rather daft, but secretly they are probably at least a little envious. He hadn’t had a flying dream in years, bot since The Great Sadness had descended, but tonight Mack flew high into the starlit night, the air clear and cool but not uncomfortable. He soared above lakes and rivers, crossing an ocean coast and a number of reef-rimmed islets. As odd as it sounds, Mack had
learned inside his dreams to fly like this; to lift off the ground supported by nothing - no wings, no aircraft of any sort, just himself. Beginning flights were usually limited to a few inches, due mostly to fear or, more accurately, a dread of falling. Stretching his flights to a foot or two and eventually higher increased his confidence, as did his discovery that crashing wasn’t painful at all
but only a slow motion bounce. In time, he learned to ascend into the clouds, cover vast distances, and land gently.” learned inside his dreams to fly like this; to lift off the ground supported by nothing - no wings, no aircraft of any sort, just himself. Beginning flights were usually limited to a few inches, due mostly to fear or, more accurately, a dread of falling. Stretching his flights to a foot or two and eventually higher increased his confidence, as did his discovery that crashing wasn’t painful at all but only a slow motion bounce. In time, he learned to ascend into the clouds, cover vast distances, and land gently.”
The problem with this is it’s Astral - Projection. This is an extremely dangerous and demonic controlled practice. When you allow your soul to leave your body you welcome demons to take control.
Ephesians 4:27 “and do not give the devil a foothold”
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ...
http://www.bebaptized.org/astral.htm
11) page 120 ~ “I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is it’s own punishment.”
Really? Hmmm, I wonder, what does the Bible say about it?:
Exodus 32:34 “Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sins.”
Matt 5:22 “But anyone who says ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell”
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life"
I could list many more verses on the wages of sin but you get the gist.
12) page 122 - 123 ~ “Mackenzie, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it.” “Once you have a hierarchy you need rules to protect and administer it, and then you need law
and the enforcement of the rules, and you end up with some kind of chain of command or a system of order that destroys relationship rather than promotes it. You rarely see or experience relationship apart from power. Hierarchy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.” and the enforcement of the rules, and you end up with some kind of chain of command or a system of order that destroys relationship rather than promotes it. You rarely see or experience relationship apart from power. Hierarchy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.”
This isn’t Scriptural.
1 Corinthians 11:3 “Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
13) page 182 ~ This is “Jesus” speaking to Mack: “Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian.”
“Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not a part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions....”
“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, into my Beloved.” “Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not a part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions....”
“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, into my Beloved.”
Is this “transformation” the new birth of John 3 or is it the self-discovery
of New Age Meditation, astral projection and inner healing? It should be: John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God.”
14) page 182 continued ~ “Does tht mean,” asked Mack, “that all roads will lead to you?” “Not at all,” smiled Jesus as he reached for the door handle to the shop. “Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.”
This isn’t Scriptural
John 14:5-7 “Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Once again, it isn’t Scriptural. He does expect us to be in obedience to Him as well as display the Fruits of the Spirit.
John 14:5-7 “Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
15) page 206 “...because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me.”
Once again, it isn’t Scriptural. He does expect us to be in obedience to Him as well as display the Fruits of the Spirit.
Galations 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control”
| 2 John 1:6 "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." |
16) page 224 ~ “Mack, I am God. I forget nothing.”
This statement is not supported by Scripture.
Hebrews 10:16-17 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
An excellent book that looks into more deceptions contained in The Shack is Burning Down the Shack by James B. De Young. You can purchase it at Amazon.
