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Take “The Shack” Behind the Shed continued
Take “The Shack” Behind the Shed continued
“The Shack” grips us emotionally when Mack’s seven-year-old daughter is kidnapped and murdered in a shack. How could God let this happen? 3 years later, Mack receives a note summoning him to the shack where his daughter was killed. It was signed “Papa.” Was the murderer toying with him? Turns out, “Papa” was the name for God the Father. For the rest of the book, Mack has conversations with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. By the end, Mack is a changed man, strengthened in his relationship with God and comforted in his pain. Fictionally speaking, it’s a beautiful story. Doctrinally? Not so much.
1) God the Father and the Holy Spirit are portrayed as women, but the Bible never refers to God or the Holy Spirit as “she.” 2) “Papa” is all about love and relationship, but obedience is no big deal. “Jesus” says in one part of the book, “Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect. In fact, we [the Trinity] are submitted to you in the same way.” 3) “Papa” says, “I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment.” 4) “Papa” says he’s never disappointed in us, and guilt over sin will never get us anywhere. 5) “Jesus” says that He is “the best way any human can relate to Papa or Sarayu.” Notice the word “best,” not “only.” 6) When “Jesus” speaks of Mormons, Baptists, Muslims, Democrats, Republicans, and those who aren’t part of any religious institution, he says, “I have no desire to make them Christian.”
7) “Papa” says He’s being reconciled to the whole world. Mack asks, “You mean those who believe in you, right?” “Papa” responds, “The whole world, Mack.” 8) Mack is so casual in his encounter with “Papa.” He even cusses in “God’s” presence, and “God” acts like it’s no big deal. “God” even uses off color humor. 9) Mack felt that “Sunday prayers and hymns weren’t cutting it anymore.” “Jesus” later says, “I’m not too big on religion” and explains it’s a “man-made terror that ravages the earth.” 10) “The Shack” makes light of the Scriptures. The narrator says, “God’s voice had been reduced to paper…nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?” “Papa” says to Mack that responsibility kills relationship and “the Bible doesn’t teach you to follow rules, it is a picture of Jesus.”
Do you see why it’s so popular? The “God” of “The Shack” expects no reverence from us, no obedience from us, no worship, no responsibility, no reading of some dusty old book, no church service attendance, and no exclusivity. Just love. It’s the ultimate ear tickler (2 Tim. 4:3). No doubt, it’ll make you feel warm and fuzzy, it tells a great story with a positive, uplifting message. Just remember, “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14).
