Concerns about The Shack

Here’s a letter I wrote to a friend of mine who had recommended I read the wildly popular book, The Shack, a work of theological fiction.

Hi _______,
 
I debated whether I should even write this email.  I pray you won’t consider it too abrupt.  Part of the abruptness is because it’s late, I’m tired, and I’m preparing for yet another move.  However, if I don’t write this now, I fear I won’t write it at all.  And since I’m plagued with thoughts of Ezekiel, trumpets, and watchmen, I must write to you about this (see Ezekiel 3:16-21 and 33:1-9).  Please forgive me if I don’t come across smoothly.
 
You had recommended to me the book The Shack.  I can see why people are captivated by it; it’s a compelling narrative.  But being compelling and being truthful are not always the same thing.  I must say there are some deeply troubling redefinitions of Biblical Christianity that take place in the pages of The Shack.  For example:
 
1.  The Father is an African-American woman??  The Bible claims God is a Father and always refers to Him as “He.”  He is not genderless in the way presented by this book.  Although He has some qualities that we often consider feminine in humans, the Bible still calls Him a Father, always calls Him “He,” and even once refers to Him as a “man of war” (Exodus 15:3). 
 
2.  Jesus is the best way to the Father???  The Bible says Jesus is the only way (John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me”).
 
3.  There’s no hierarchy in the trinity?? All hierarchy comes from sin??  John 4:34 – “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.”  There are more Scriptures I could include here about all things being subjected to the Son except the Father, and so forth. 
 
4.  The Father doesn’t punish sin???????  Yes, the results of sin can be their own punishment, and it may be His joy to cure sin, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t punish sin.  John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (emphasis added by me). 
 
5.  Jesus is merely a perfected human??  This sounds more like Mormonism than Christianity.  Shall I list all the Scriptures that attest to the divinity of Christ? (Start with John 1:1). 
 
More could be said.  This list is heavy enough, but I’m noticing as I reread what I typed that even a reading of just the Gospel of John clearly denounces the theology put forth (in such captivating fashion) by The Shack.  One could almost say the presentation of theology by The Shack is seductive, as in seducing people into a false understanding of God and a false gospel.  Remember what Paul wrote to the Galatians:  “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again:  If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).
 
It’s not possible for me to judge the intentions of the author of the book, but it is possible to judge the theology presented (and it’s Biblically right to judge the theology – “Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?” 1 Cor 5:12b).  ________, the theology of The Shack will lead you off the narrow path and away from the God of the Bible and away from the true Christ who can save you from your sins.  I pray that God will grant the grace to smooth the rough edges of my message so that you may receive what is presented here. 
 
The grace and peace of Jesus Christ be upon your life,

Greg