Shack Attack

I really don’t like laying down ‘do’s and don’ts’ about the movies Christians should or shouldn’t see. Better to teach biblical principles and allow believers to make their own decisions out of faith and conscience. But as a shepherd, I need to warn the flock about a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s “The Shack,” an uber-best-selling book that is now out at the movies.

Many Christians have written about the heretical views behind the book, but still, some baby believers or bored Christians looking for entertainment sans sex and gore, might still head to the theatres to see The Shack.

The most obvious problem that many Christians have already pointed out is that the movie portrays within the Trinity, a woman as the Father, and a black woman as the Holy Spirit. Ah, diversity! Yes, this is a problem – not because the Holy Spirit is black or a woman – He is a Spirit and has no color, let alone gender! But it’s a problem because as I have often said, the Second Commandment properly understood prohibits the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit from being represented in any physical form – including by an actor or actress. Yes, I just torpedoes all Jesus movies, and even pictures of Jesus in children’s books. We need to remember that God gave us a word-Book, not a picture-Book.

And yes, it is a problem that God is deliberately portrayed as a woman when the Scriptures consistently call Him, “Father.” But the theology in the background of this movie is not just weak, it is deliberately anti-Christian. Of course the author of the book, Paul Young, could always wiggle out of such criticisms by saying that this is just a story, it uses metaphors. It’s narrative, after all, not doctrine.

That was until his new book was released which shows in bold color what Young’s theology really is, and it is utter heresy. At this point let me point you to the great article by Tim Challies that explains what is in this book. But don’t click the link until you finish reading my article—

 http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/what-does-the-shack-really-teach-read-lies-we-believe-about-god

As Challies points out, the centerpiece of Young’s heretical views is universalism. Young believes, contrary to everything the Bible teaches, that at some point every person will be saved, if not before they die, God will use the fires of hell to purge away (not punish, mind you) any unbelief. Even Satan and his fallen angels will be restored to a right relationship with God. Young believes that after death there is a second chance, and more than that, a complete inevitability, that all people will eventually repent and come to full relationship with God.

Here is the point: this doctrine of demons lies at the very heart of the book and movie. Young believes that man is basically good, God is not sovereign, Jesus did not die to remove sins, and everyone is already in Christ and just needs to believe that it’s so. These lies permeate the movie. They aren’t in the background but in the forefront.

But can’t a Christian just see the movie for some innocent entertainment? Well in addition to helping to finance this heretical hot-mess, we need to wise up: none of us are beyond being subtly influenced by the theology it presents. Wrong worldviews can seep into our thinking while we are merrily munching our popcorn. It’s not without reason that Paul warned the Christians in Rome:

“. . . I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” (Romans 16:19)

So don’t waste your time or your money on this turkey.

Besides, Rotten Tomatoes only gave it one star.

-Pastor Doug