The Shack: Helpful or Heretical? Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008

Introduction Eugene Peterson, author of The Message, predicts that The Shack may do for our generation what Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good.” Patrick M. Roddy, Emmy winning ABC producer, declares “It is a one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of God.” Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, declared: “This book includes undiluted heresy.”

Outline I. The Background of the Book II. The Basic Story of the Book III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book

I. The Background of the Book The Shack is listed as “fiction” but the author admits it is basically about him (258-259). It is a New York Times Bestseller of over a million. It tackles some of life’s most difficult questions in an easy and non-abrasive style. The chief character is “Mack” [Mackenzie Allen Phillips] who was an abused child of a wife-beating alcoholic religious hypocrite (p.1). William Young is a friend and alleged “Ghost writer” of Mack’s story (p. 6). While sorrowing over the tragic death of his daughter, he got an anonymous letter that read: “Mackenzie, It’s been a while. I’ve missed you, I’ll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together.---Papa” (p. 6).

Outline I. The Background of the Book II. The Basic Story of the Book

II. The Basic Story of the Book A. Mack’s daughter is abducted and killed. B. Mack falls into “the great sadness” (6). C. He gets a letter from “Papa” (God) who invites him to a shack in the wilderness where the crime occurred (10). D. While there, God the Father appears as “a large beaming African American woman” (80). E. Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker. F. The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively Asian woman” (82). G. They help him to gain closure on his tragedy by teaching him about a God of love.

Outline I. The Background of the Book II. The Basic Story of the Book III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book He claims that he engaged in “recrafting the conversations to eliminate questionable theology or potential misunderstanding” (262).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem One: Rejection of Traditional Christianity (179). The Problem: 1. He claims that traditional Christianity did not solve his problem. 2. Even Seminary training didn’t help (63). 3. He insists that Christianity has to be revised in order to be understood.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem One: Rejection of Traditional Christianity (179). The Problem: 1. He claims that traditional Christianity did not solve his problem. 2. Even Seminary training didn’t help (63). 3. He insists that Christianity has to be revised in order to be understood. The Response: 1) Christianity does not need revision; we do. 2) Christianity should not be rejected because it has some hypocritical representatives. 3) Some Seminary training is bad, and even good Seminary training doesn’t help, if you don’t heed it.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Two: Experience Trumps Revelation 1. Solutions to life’s basic problems come from experience, not Scripture.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Two: Experience Trumps Revelation 1. Solutions to life’s basic problems come from experience, not Scripture. 2. Extra biblical messages are given as the source of real encounter with God and resolution of our deepest problems (80-100).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Two: Experience Trumps Revelation 1. Solutions to life’s basic problems come from experience, not Scripture. 2. Extra biblical messages are given as the source of real encounter with God and resolution of our deepest problems (80-100). 3. These alleged “revelations” from the “Trinity” in the shack are the basis of the whole story.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Three: Rejection of Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone). Problem: In the Shack the Bible alone is not sufficient for faith and practice. He rejected what “In seminary he had been taught that God had completely stopped any overt communication with moderns, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture…. God’s voice had been reduced to paper…. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the ancients…. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book” (63).

Response: The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone).

Response: The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone). What this means: 1) The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice. 2) No new truth beyond the Bible is needed for doctrine or living the Christian life.

Response: The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone). What this means: 1) The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice. 2) No new truth beyond the Bible is needed for doctrine or living the Christian life. What this does not mean. 1) God cannot bring biblical principles to our minds when needed. [He can and He does.] 2) God cannot guide in circumstances that help us in the application of biblical principles to our lives. [He can and does.]

What Says the Scripture? “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In short, no revelation beyond the Bible is necessary for Christian doctrine or living.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Four : An Unbiblical View of God’s Triunity Problem: God appears as three separate persons (in three separate bodies) which seems to support Tritheism.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Four : An Unbiblical View of God’s Triunity Problem: God appears as three separate persons (in three separate bodies) which seems to support Tritheism. Response: In spite of the fact that the author denies Tritheism (“We are not three gods” and Modalism (“We are not talking about One God with three attitudes”—p. 100), it is an unorthodoxy social view of Trinity where God is merely a society of different persons.

A Social View of the Trinity: 1) The plurality is three separate persons: 1) God the Father appears as an African American woman” (80); 2) Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker (82). 3) The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively Asian woman” (82).

A Social View of the Trinity: 1) The plurality of God is three separate persons: 1) God the Father appears as an African American woman” (80); 2) Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker (82). 3) The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively Asian woman” (82). 2) The unity of God is not in one essence (nature), as the orthodox view holds. Rather, it is a social union of three separate persons.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Five: A False View of the Incarnation Problem: “When we three spoke ourselves into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human…. We now became flesh and blood” (98).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Five: A False View of the Incarnation Problem: “When we three spoke ourselves into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human…. We now became flesh and blood” (98). Response: The Trinity did not become human; only the Second Person assumed a human nature. Jn. 4:24: “God is spirit….” Jn. 1:14: Only “The Word [Jesus] became flesh….”

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Six: Heretical View of the Father suffering Problem: He claims the Father suffered along with the Son. He wrote: “‘Haven’t you seen the wounds on Papa [God the Father] too?’ ’I didn’t understand them. How could he…’ ‘For love. He chose the way of the cross… because of love” (p. 165). Response: That the Father suffered is a heresy called Patripassionism which the early Church condemned. Suffering involves change, and God can’t change (Heb. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:13; Jas. 1:17; Mal. 3:6).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Seven: An Unbiblical View of God’s Punishment Problem: God said, “I don’t need to punish people for sin…. It is not my purpose to punish it” (p. 119).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Seven: An Unbiblical View of God’s Punishment Problem: God said, “I don’t need to punish people for sin…. It is not my purpose to punish it” (p. 119). Response: The Bible says God is holy (Lev. 11:44) and so He must punish sin. Hab. 1:13: “You…are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong….” Rom. 6:23: “The wages of sin is death….” Rom. 12:19: “‘ Vengeance is mine, I will repay’ says the Lord.”

Problem Eight: A False View of the Way of Problem Eight: A False View of the Way of Salvation: Jesus is only the “best” way. Problem: “I am the best way any human can relate to Papa [the Father].”

Problem Eight: A False View of the Way of Problem Eight: A False View of the Way of Salvation: Jesus is only the “best” way. Problem: “I am the best way any human can relate to Papa [the Father].” Response: Jesus is not just the “best” way to God; He is the only way to God. Jn. 14:6: Jesus said, “I am the way…. No one comes to the Father except by me.” Jn. 3:18: “He who believes in Him [Christ] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jn. 8:24: Jesus said, If you do not believe Jn. 8:24: Jesus said, If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sin.” Jn. 10:1, 9: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber… I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” Rom. 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Problem Nine: A Wrong View of Who Will be Saved—Virtually anyone through virtually any religion apart from Christ! Problem: This is a form Inclusivism. Anyone in any religion can be saved. “Jesus [said]…. ‘Those who love me come from every system that exists. They are Buddhists or Mormons, Baptist, or Muslims, …and many who are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institution…. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christians, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa….’ ‘Does that mean…that all roads will lead to you?’ ‘Not at all…. Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you’” (184).

Response: No one can be saved apart from knowing Christ. Acts 4:12: “There is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.” 1 Tim. 2:5: “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” Jn. 3:18: “He who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Ten: Excluding the Role of the Church in Edifying Believers Problem: The Shack is totally silent about the role a community of believers plays in building up the saints. In fact there is a kind of anti-church current born of a reaction to a hypocritical, legalistic, and abusive father (1-3).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Ten: Excluding the Role of the Church in Edifying Believers Problem: The Shack is totally silent about the role a community of believers plays in building up the saints. In fact there is a kind of anti-church current born of a reaction to a hypocritical, legalistic, and abusive father who was a church leader (1-3). Response: Hebrews speaks of “not neglecting to meet together, as the habit of some, but encouraging one another…” (10:25). God gave the church “pastors and teachers, to equip the saints…for building up the body of Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-12). Paul said, “To each [one in the body] is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Eleven: Wrong View of Faith and Reason Problem: It embraces an irrational view of faith. “There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually irrational, but it is surely not rational” (p. 64).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Eleven: Wrong View of Faith and Reason Problem: It embraces an irrational view of faith. “There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually irrational, but it is surely not rational” (p. 64). Response: “’Come now let us reason together,’ says the Lord” (Isa. 1:18:). “Give a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15); “Paul…reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2). “These were more fair-minded [because] they searched the Scriptures daily…whether these things be so” (Acts 17:11). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God” (1 Jn. 4:1).

Problem Twelve: It is a Denial of a Divine order in the Godhead, the Church, and the family for an egalitarian view of all: “‘Well I know that there are three of you. But you respond with such graciousness to each other. Isn’t one of you more the boss than the other two…. I have always thought of God the Father as sort of being the boss and Jesus as the one following orders, you know being obedient….’ Mackenzie, ‘we have no concept of final authority among us; only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command…. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any overlay of power…. Hierarchy would make no sense among us’” (121). Response: this is a false view of the Trinity.

Jesus Submitted to the Father: “O My Father,… not my will be done but yours” (Mt. 26:39). “He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death…” (Philip. 2:8). In heaven “then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28).

Jesus Submitted to the Father: “O My Father,… not my will be done but yours” (Mt. 26:39). “He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death…” (Philip. 2:8). In heaven “then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28). Children Submit to their Father: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord…” (Eph. 6:1).

Jesus Submitted to the Father: “O My Father,… not my will be done but yours” (Mt. 26:39). “He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death…” (Philip. 2:8). In heaven “then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28). Children Submit to their Father: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord…” (Eph. 6:1). Wives Submit to their Husbands: “Wives submit to your own husband, as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). “The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3).

Problem Thirteen: It Negates Knowledge of God Problem: God is wholly other; we can’t really know Him: “I am God. I am who I am. And unlike you…” (96). “I am what some would say ‘holy and wholly other than you” (97). “I am not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think” (97).

Problem Thirteen: It Negates Knowledge of God Problem: God is wholly other; we can’t really know Him: “I am God. I am who I am. And unlike you…” (96). “I am what some would say ‘holy and wholly other than you” (97). “I am not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think” (97). Response: We can know what God is really like in both general and special revelation. “Since the creation of the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen…even his eternal power and Godhead…” (Rom.1:20). Jesus said, “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also” (Jn. 14:7).

Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman and having a body when He is neither.

Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman and having a body when He is neither. Response: 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature.

Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman and having a body when He is neither. Response: 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. 2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible.

Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman and having a body when He is neither. Response: 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. 2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible. 3) It is deceptive to portray God’s Nature in any way that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92).

Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman and having a body when He is neither. Response: 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. 2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible. 3) It is deceptive to portray God’s Nature in any way that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). 4) It is not adaptation to human limits but accommodation to human error. It is like saying storks bring babies. He calls it a “mask” that falls away (111). But God does not have masks (Jn. 1:14; 14:9).

Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman and having a body when He is neither. Response: 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. 2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible. 3) It is deceptive to portray God’s Nature in any way that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). 4) It is not adaptation to human limits but accommodation to human error. It is like saying storks bring babies. It is a “mask” that falls away (111). But God does not have masks. 5) “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Paul speaks of the “God who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2).

The Shack: Helpful or Heretical? 1) It is a good story, but it contains bad theology. 2) It may be psychologically helpful, but it is theologically harmful. 3) It may bring good feeling, but it is not good teaching. Dr. Al Mohler was right: Despite all the literary and psychological delight it brings, “This book includes undiluted heresy.”