Comments on: Recommendation and Review: The Shack by William P. Young http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young ...dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:22:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: ed http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-267743 ed Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:50:04 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-267743 I would have to say as a Pastor who has wrestled with the question of why did God allow________.? asked by desperate people, this book attempts to answer that. The idea of accusing William Young of trying to define trinity, to me seems a bit presoumtous. I think what william was saying was the God is all about relationship and He reveals relatonship through the trinity and that is the message God has been speaking to men through the trinity. He appeared to Mac as a women becase that was the way that Mac needed God to be revealed to him. Lets admit God revealed himself to men through out scripture in language and symbols that they could understand. He was a burning bush to Moses, a Pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day to the Isrealites he was a wheel in a wheel to Ezekial,YHVH Nissi - The LORD My Banner: (Exodus 17:15), to Abraham he was a shield Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, Gen 15:1. Just to name a few. If you really read from the context of the setting i think we would see that God met Mac right where he was at. He removed the barriers that obstructed Macs view of the love God had for him. A father for Mac was, at that time, offensive,brutal, mean uncaring. God had to convince Mac that he was not like that at all, so he revealed his love to Mac in a language he could understand, because that was the most important thing to God his message of Love to humanity. The Book is about removing the obstacles that stop us from seeing that God Loves us and desires relationship, that is constant through every valley and mountain of life. I would have to say as a Pastor who has wrestled with the question of why did God allow________.? asked by desperate people, this book attempts to answer that. The idea of accusing William Young of trying to define trinity, to me seems a bit presoumtous. I think what william was saying was the God is all about relationship and He reveals relatonship through the trinity and that is the message God has been speaking to men through the trinity. He appeared to Mac as a women becase that was the way that Mac needed God to be revealed to him. Lets admit God revealed himself to men through out scripture in language and symbols that they could understand. He was a burning bush to Moses, a Pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day to the Isrealites he was a wheel in a wheel to Ezekial,YHVH Nissi - The LORD My Banner: (Exodus 17:15), to Abraham he was a shield Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield, Gen 15:1. Just to name a few. If you really read from the context of the setting i think we would see that God met Mac right where he was at. He removed the barriers that obstructed Macs view of the love God had for him. A father for Mac was, at that time, offensive,brutal, mean uncaring. God had to convince Mac that he was not like that at all, so he revealed his love to Mac in a language he could understand, because that was the most important thing to God his message of Love to humanity. The Book is about removing the obstacles that stop us from seeing that God Loves us and desires relationship, that is constant through every valley and mountain of life.

]]> By: DJ Vincent http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-264133 DJ Vincent Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:08:38 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-264133 As I began to read the book, the protrayal of God as a woman did bother me because of the new age religions that push the feminine god,goddess as a better god than Father God. But as I delved into the book, God let Mack know that he would have had a problem relating to a "male" God, because of the relationship he had with his own father. This logic made sense as our perception of God is based on our relationship with our earthly father.We do need to be careful,however,that we don't allow a fictional account to become the "gospel." Our authority is always the Bible - God's Word. But, do people really have God encounters? Yes they do. Sometimes God just marches right up to us and opens us up to ourself. This is what happens to the character in the book. God not only reveals who he is to Mack, but lets Mack see that he's had a shallow relationship with God for many years. One of the many points that I get, is that if Mack had had a close relationship with God, that he would have handled the murder of his child differently. Since Mack had an arms-length relationship with God, God's spirit could never truly comfort Mack. Mack didn't fully trust God, because he didn't believe that God really loved him. His faith was soley based on what he preceived, that a God of love could not have possibly allowed his little girl to die. Mack forgot about the fallen nature of mankind and that God always has a plan. While the message of the book is God's love for mankind, I would not recommend this to a new Christian as some of the symbolism may be confusing. It's great for discussion and hopefully many will be brought into a closer relationship with the true God as a result. Some times, I find myself in a place that I need to return to the "Shack" of my life and talk things out with God. The horribleness of our lives is made beautiful through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. His willingness to leave everything and to die for us is beyond comprehension.Do we truly "get" that God loves us? As I began to read the book, the protrayal of God as a woman did bother me because of the new age religions that push the feminine god,goddess as a better god than Father God. But as I delved into the book, God let Mack know that he would have had a problem relating to a “male” God, because of the relationship he had with his own father. This logic made sense as our perception of God is based on our relationship with our earthly father.We do need to be careful,however,that we don’t allow a fictional account to become the “gospel.” Our authority is always the Bible - God’s Word. But, do people really have God encounters? Yes they do. Sometimes God just marches right up to us and opens us up to ourself. This is what happens to the character in the book. God not only reveals who he is to Mack, but lets Mack see that he’s had a shallow relationship with God for many years. One of the many points that I get, is that if Mack had had a close relationship with God, that he would have handled the murder of his child differently. Since Mack had an arms-length relationship with God, God’s spirit could never truly comfort Mack. Mack didn’t fully trust God, because he didn’t believe that God really loved him. His faith was soley based on what he preceived, that a God of love could not have possibly allowed his little girl to die. Mack forgot about the fallen nature of mankind and that God always has a plan. While the message of the book is God’s love for mankind, I would not recommend this to a new Christian as some of the symbolism may be confusing. It’s great for discussion and hopefully many will be brought into a closer relationship with the true God as a result. Some times, I find myself in a place that I need to return to the “Shack” of my life and talk things out with God. The horribleness of our lives is made beautiful through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. His willingness to leave everything and to die for us is beyond comprehension.Do we truly “get” that God loves us?

]]> By: Roger http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-245635 Roger Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:35:19 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-245635 A similar problem has happened before when Moses went up the mountain for a long period of time the people became restless. With their leader absent the people wanted a god they could see so Aaron made one, the golden calf, Aaron proclaimed “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” Why was that offensive to God? The people were sacrificing and worshiping an image that represented the Lord to the people. The people did not know what God looked like so they should not be faulted for that. The problem was that God was made and portrayed as an image according to the design of man. We can not make God to be as we want him to be and we cannot confine him to our space. What is more shocking is Aaron’s response when Moses asked Aaron why he did it. Aaron said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” (Exodus 32:1-35) as if a perceived miracle could made it right. When the Christian family no longer seeks to reflect Christ's image and people are no longer reading the Bible but every other book that promises to give them the answer, they will seek their own god to go before them. When someone asks why we did it we will say that we took all the spiritual ideas and through them into the shack and out came this verb (whatever you want God to be). Young is a fellow human being who is seeking God and an experience with his love and forgiveness. Pray for him and his family as you pray for yourself and your family that we all may be conformed to the image of Christ who is the image of God, and experience more grace from God through Christ than Aaron did through the interceding of Moses. The story of “The Shack” is about a man who has received and is receiving reconciliation with his creator and the creator of the universe. We can read the story as such – a fictional story of a real man’s ongoing journey with God. But read the Bible instead and find the full and complete truth “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:20-21). A similar problem has happened before when Moses went up the mountain for a long period of time the people became restless. With their leader absent the people wanted a god they could see so Aaron made one, the golden calf, Aaron proclaimed “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” Why was that offensive to God? The people were sacrificing and worshiping an image that represented the Lord to the people. The people did not know what God looked like so they should not be faulted for that. The problem was that God was made and portrayed as an image according to the design of man. We can not make God to be as we want him to be and we cannot confine him to our space. What is more shocking is Aaron’s response when Moses asked Aaron why he did it. Aaron said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” (Exodus 32:1-35) as if a perceived miracle could made it right.

When the Christian family no longer seeks to reflect Christ’s image and people are no longer reading the Bible but every other book that promises to give them the answer, they will seek their own god to go before them. When someone asks why we did it we will say that we took all the spiritual ideas and through them into the shack and out came this verb (whatever you want God to be).

Young is a fellow human being who is seeking God and an experience with his love and forgiveness. Pray for him and his family as you pray for yourself and your family that we all may be conformed to the image of Christ who is the image of God, and experience more grace from God through Christ than Aaron did through the interceding of Moses. The story of “The Shack” is about a man who has received and is receiving reconciliation with his creator and the creator of the universe. We can read the story as such – a fictional story of a real man’s ongoing journey with God. But read the Bible instead and find the full and complete truth “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:20-21).

]]> By: Cam http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-244436 Cam Fri, 30 May 2008 11:54:59 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-244436 Jen, and others.. I doubt if you've read this book. It does everything of pointing to a real relationship with the God of the Bible, and Jesus - I think you have misinterpreted things catastrophically. Going on about this whole new-agey thing. The Shack is nothing at all to do with this. Sarayu is NOT Saranyu. Read the definition of Sarayu here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarayu It's an indian word, yes. But it simply means water, and wind. Papa is just a more western name for Abba or Daddy. and Sophia actually means Wisdom, which is exactly what she portrays in the book. I'd ask you kindly not to bash something you don't understand, unless ofcourse you're being devisive and trying to reduce the impact that God is having on people's lives throuhg it... in which case, I'd ask you to stop, but I doubt it'd make any difference. I fail to see any connection. Is God a loving, caring, compassionate God? YES! the bible is FULL of this imagery. And regarding the whole all religions thing - if you read that carefully, you'll see that Jesus says something to the effect of Him finding people from all religions - ie people in other religions can find Jesus (inspite of their religion, not because of it). He specifically says that not all roads lead to Him, but that He will go down any road to get to us. I think this is fitting. Many of the early Christians were involved in other religions when they found Jesus (through the preaching of the Apostles), etc. Don't hea (sor what Will's not saying. :) Personally, I struggle to find anything in The Shack that doesn't have a scriptural basis (or at the least, fits within the biblical view of God) - and to be honest, it's drawn me to rethink the rather unscriptural view of God as a wrath-filled judgemental God, almost devoid of love. But - I also encourage you to read Wayne's view, as he had a large part in influencing the way a lot was said in the book: http://www.windblownmedia.com/shackresponse.ht And - actually, I'd encourage you guys to ask God what He really thinks. If there's something you really don't agree with it, give it to God. I'm not saying this book is perfect, but I think what error there might be is small, and parts that are really open to differences which we won't really know until we are with Dad (and then I doubt it'd matter that much). (sorry this is so long..) cam Jen, and others.. I doubt if you’ve read this book. It does everything of pointing to a real relationship with the God of the Bible, and Jesus - I think you have misinterpreted things catastrophically.

Going on about this whole new-agey thing. The Shack is nothing at all to do with this. Sarayu is NOT Saranyu. Read the definition of Sarayu here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarayu
It’s an indian word, yes. But it simply means water, and wind.

Papa is just a more western name for Abba or Daddy.

and Sophia actually means Wisdom, which is exactly what she portrays in the book.

I’d ask you kindly not to bash something you don’t understand, unless ofcourse you’re being devisive and trying to reduce the impact that God is having on people’s lives throuhg it… in which case, I’d ask you to stop, but I doubt it’d make any difference.

I fail to see any connection. Is God a loving, caring, compassionate God? YES! the bible is FULL of this imagery.

And regarding the whole all religions thing - if you read that carefully, you’ll see that Jesus says something to the effect of Him finding people from all religions - ie people in other religions can find Jesus (inspite of their religion, not because of it). He specifically says that not all roads lead to Him, but that He will go down any road to get to us. I think this is fitting. Many of the early Christians were involved in other religions when they found Jesus (through the preaching of the Apostles), etc. Don’t hea

(sor what Will’s not saying. :)

Personally, I struggle to find anything in The Shack that doesn’t have a scriptural basis (or at the least, fits within the biblical view of God) - and to be honest, it’s drawn me to rethink the rather unscriptural view of God as a wrath-filled judgemental God, almost devoid of love.

But - I also encourage you to read Wayne’s view, as he had a large part in influencing the way a lot was said in the book: http://www.windblownmedia.com/shackresponse.ht

And - actually, I’d encourage you guys to ask God what He really thinks. If there’s something you really don’t agree with it, give it to God. I’m not saying this book is perfect, but I think what error there might be is small, and parts that are really open to differences which we won’t really know until we are with Dad (and then I doubt it’d matter that much).

(sorry this is so long..)
cam

]]> By: b.gibson http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-243804 b.gibson Wed, 28 May 2008 02:01:32 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-243804 Google "is the Shack heresy" ? by Wayne jacobsen one of the guys behind the publishing of the book great article grace to all bg Google “is the Shack heresy” ? by Wayne jacobsen one of the guys behind the publishing of the book great article
grace to all bg

]]> By: don holmes http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-241796 don holmes Tue, 20 May 2008 18:01:43 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-241796 For a very critical review of The Shack: donholmes.blogspot.com For a very critical review of The Shack:
donholmes.blogspot.com

]]> By: Phil Craig http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-233743 Phil Craig Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:16:01 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-233743 I confess, I think this book is pretty awful. It's badly written, cliched, heavy-handed and I cringed all the way through. And that's before you get anywhere near theology. I appreciate where you're coming from, though: we need help to know God as more than a set of propositions. I just wish people would read something better than The Shack to point the way! I confess, I think this book is pretty awful. It’s badly written, cliched, heavy-handed and I cringed all the way through. And that’s before you get anywhere near theology. I appreciate where you’re coming from, though: we need help to know God as more than a set of propositions. I just wish people would read something better than The Shack to point the way!

]]> By: mat http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-233024 mat Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:08:56 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-233024 I think people miss an important piece of context when they critique this book oftimes. The guy who wrote it is not a theologian or even an author by trade - he wrote it for his family as a way to talk to them about God and his faith. Somehow he went from there to publishing by the encouragement of others. He didn't write it for it to be picked apart. I tell my kids lots of stories to help them connect the gospel and the good news of Christ. Hopefully I can handle the criticism with grace if ever they get published (they won't ... but he never intended it for mass market production) I think people miss an important piece of context when they critique this book oftimes. The guy who wrote it is not a theologian or even an author by trade - he wrote it for his family as a way to talk to them about God and his faith. Somehow he went from there to publishing by the encouragement of others. He didn’t write it for it to be picked apart. I tell my kids lots of stories to help them connect the gospel and the good news of Christ. Hopefully I can handle the criticism with grace if ever they get published (they won’t … but he never intended it for mass market production)

]]> By: Michael Spencer http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-228677 Michael Spencer Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:07:09 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-228677 JJ: I say in the review that I have some theological problems with the book, but I believe it creatively and helpfully deals with many issues about the Trinity and forgiveness. I don't know of any book by anyone that is perfect aside from scripture. This book would get a B+ from me on reflecting Biblical theology, but it will do much good for many people whose view of God is too rationalistic. If I was a hardcore Calvinist, I'd avoid the book. JJ:

I say in the review that I have some theological problems with the book, but I believe it creatively and helpfully deals with many issues about the Trinity and forgiveness. I don’t know of any book by anyone that is perfect aside from scripture. This book would get a B+ from me on reflecting Biblical theology, but it will do much good for many people whose view of God is too rationalistic.

If I was a hardcore Calvinist, I’d avoid the book.

]]> By: JJ http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-228676 JJ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:00:54 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-and-review-the-shack-by-william-p-young#comment-228676 So is this book in line with what the Bible teaches then? So is this book in line with what the Bible teaches then?

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