Comments on: The Shack http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/ Scriptural teaching, Bible Answers, Christian Advice Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:19:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michele http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-13107 Michele Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:51:07 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-13107 I enjoyed The Shack very much. I saw it as a fictional characterization of how an individual comes to terms with who God is. There were a lot of principles that were Biblically based, though not did not have a scriptural reference. I don't think The Shack was meant to be non-fictional, Bible-referenced textbook. At the end of the book, Mack awakens to find it has all that had happened had been a dream. To me the book is about one individuals coming to terms with God in his own life. He doesnt intend for the reader to think that the events described actually occurred. The book is about a man unsure how God is supposed to fit in his life. He gains some perspective on this in his own dream. I find this very interesting and entertaining reading. I am cautious about peoples use of books other than the Bible for "Bible Study." Its a great book for a book club discussion or study. I think people should talk about it and hear what others think. It is easy to give more weight to the book because it was entertaining or whatever. So to hear opinions, such as yours, gives us more to think about and another angle to view the book. I think that should help us arrive at the most Biblical perspective. It is not surprising that there are masses of people that jump on the bandwagon of promoting books for reference and study beyond what would be considered Biblically appropriate. The devil is always at work. I enjoyed The Shack very much. I saw it as a fictional characterization of how an individual comes to terms with who God is. There were a lot of principles that were Biblically based, though not did not have a scriptural reference. I don’t think The Shack was meant to be non-fictional, Bible-referenced textbook. At the end of the book, Mack awakens to find it has all that had happened had been a dream. To me the book is about one individuals coming to terms with God in his own life. He doesnt intend for the reader to think that the events described actually occurred. The book is about a man unsure how God is supposed to fit in his life. He gains some perspective on this in his own dream. I find this very interesting and entertaining reading. I am cautious about peoples use of books other than the Bible for “Bible Study.” Its a great book for a book club discussion or study. I think people should talk about it and hear what others think. It is easy to give more weight to the book because it was entertaining or whatever. So to hear opinions, such as yours, gives us more to think about and another angle to view the book. I think that should help us arrive at the most Biblical perspective. It is not surprising that there are masses of people that jump on the bandwagon of promoting books for reference and study beyond what would be considered Biblically appropriate. The devil is always at work.

]]> By: Tammi http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-5568 Tammi Sat, 29 May 2010 21:25:43 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-5568 I read "The Shack" and to be honest some aspects of it DID disturb me as a Christian because I know that anyone who is immature in their Christian walk or who is searching may read this and get some very dangerous ideas. Any book that has to be passed on with the warning "it's ok as long as you don't take it literally or use is it for Chrisitian doctrine" means that maybe it really ISN'T ok... I read “The Shack” and to be honest some aspects of it DID disturb me as a Christian because I know that anyone who is immature in their Christian walk or who is searching may read this and get some very dangerous ideas. Any book that has to be passed on with the warning “it’s ok as long as you don’t take it literally or use is it for Chrisitian doctrine” means that maybe it really ISN’T ok…

]]> By: William http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-2281 William Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-2281 I truly agree with your statements... i get the same attacks when i bring out the same points to the same people about this book and many others that Christians are allowing themselves or their children be deceived...wake up christian parents it is ok for you to read what you want but watch your kids and what they read. I truly agree with your statements… i get the same attacks when i bring out the same points to the same people about this book and many others that Christians are allowing themselves or their children be deceived…wake up christian parents it is ok for you to read what you want but watch your kids and what they read.

]]> By: P http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-1183 P Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:28:50 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-1183 Thanks for confronting poor teaching and standing by your convictions. I agree, too many of us are bored by the bible and search for answers in the wrong places. I think too many people believe that if a pastor says it it must be true. We need to have some truly good bible teaching and learn to check what we are taught with what the bible teaches to see if it is true. Thanks again. Thanks for confronting poor teaching and standing by your convictions. I agree, too many of us are bored by the bible and search for answers in the wrong places. I think too many people believe that if a pastor says it it must be true. We need to have some truly good bible teaching and learn to check what we are taught with what the bible teaches to see if it is true. Thanks again.

]]> By: Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-1005 Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:40:42 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-1005 How interesting that I happened upon this - I was digging around because of issues with my MckLinky today - LOL! I must applaud your review - I think you have hit the nail on the head. I have been so disturbed/confused by the number of Christians who love this book and don't seem to see the problem with it. Just nice to know there are other people who see the danger in this book. How interesting that I happened upon this – I was digging around because of issues with my MckLinky today – LOL! I must applaud your review – I think you have hit the nail on the head. I have been so disturbed/confused by the number of Christians who love this book and don’t seem to see the problem with it. Just nice to know there are other people who see the danger in this book.

]]> By: Nelda Kerr http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-541 Nelda Kerr Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:09:31 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-541 I have read the book, as I have friends who were ranting over it and saying it was simply WONDERFUL---HOWEVER, as entertaining as it is, and it is well written, I tend to lean to YOUR corner in that the scriptures tell us we can't add or take away from the things God has said. In order to write a book of this style there MUST be words added to what God would say to achieve a NOVEL status in converstational content (which we have no knowledge of existing). I can't imagine using it as a study guide. I DO KNOW of some who have purchased many of them to give to others who are searching. I would be very reluctant to give this kind of book to any person who was not completely grounded in CHRIST as it would plant a wrong concept of what GOD is and how HE should be viewed. One of the GOD characters is FEMALE--To sum it up---It is entertaining but should be considered NO MORE than any other NOVEL read for entertainment purposes. Read it if you will--if you are indeed grounded well enough to handle it as merely literature, nothing more-but set it aside as one would any other non-inspiring novel. DO NOT depend on the interpertation of this book to project for you what GOD IS/WAS/AND WILL ALWAYS BE. I have read the book, as I have friends who were ranting over it and saying it was simply WONDERFUL—HOWEVER, as entertaining as it is, and it is well written, I tend to lean to YOUR corner in that the scriptures tell us we can’t add or take away from the things God has said. In order to write a book of this style there MUST be words added to what God would say to achieve a NOVEL status in converstational content (which we have no knowledge of existing). I can’t imagine using it as a study guide. I DO KNOW of some who have purchased many of them to give to others who are searching. I would be very reluctant to give this kind of book to any person who was not completely grounded in CHRIST as it would plant a wrong concept of what GOD is and how HE should be viewed. One of the GOD characters is FEMALE–To sum it up—It is entertaining but should be considered NO MORE than any other NOVEL read for entertainment purposes. Read it if you will–if you are indeed grounded well enough to handle it as merely literature, nothing more-but set it aside as one would any other non-inspiring novel. DO NOT depend on the interpertation of this book to project for you what GOD IS/WAS/AND WILL ALWAYS BE.

]]> By: brentriggs http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-439 brentriggs Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:10:45 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-439 Tracey, I do not take the book literally. Of course I do not think The Shack is trying to teach that God is a black woman and Jesus is a witty Asian. It does not go against the Bible because it is a metaphor. It goes against the Bible for the reasons I've written, regardless of the literary style. The symbolism, dialog and content of the book unmistakably TEACHES things about God and Jesus. Any book that TEACHES about God has to pass the test of Scriptural accuracy. I don't read in the Bible an exception to idolatry or blasphemy if done metaphorically. No one who has responded negatively to my review has even attempted to explain how it is NOT idolatry to represent God in human form, or blasphemous to attribute crude or fleshly words to Him. If someone can show me Biblical that this is NOT idolatry or blasphemy, I will retract my negative review of The Shack. However, idolatry is idolatry, metaphorically speaking or not. Why this does NOT bother Christians puzzles me greatly. Blessings, Brent Tracey,
I do not take the book literally. Of course I do not think The Shack is trying to teach that God is a black woman and Jesus is a witty Asian. It does not go against the Bible because it is a metaphor. It goes against the Bible for the reasons I’ve written, regardless of the literary style.

The symbolism, dialog and content of the book unmistakably TEACHES things about God and Jesus. Any book that TEACHES about God has to pass the test of Scriptural accuracy.

I don’t read in the Bible an exception to idolatry or blasphemy if done metaphorically. No one who has responded negatively to my review has even attempted to explain how it is NOT idolatry to represent God in human form, or blasphemous to attribute crude or fleshly words to Him. If someone can show me Biblical that this is NOT idolatry or blasphemy, I will retract my negative review of The Shack. However, idolatry is idolatry, metaphorically speaking or not. Why this does NOT bother Christians puzzles me greatly.
Blessings,
Brent

]]> By: Tracey ellis http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Tracey ellis Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:31:34 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-438 The book is a metaphor. Not to be taken literally. I think some people take it literal and therefore, think it goes against the Bible. The book is a metaphor. Not to be taken literally. I think some people take it literal and therefore, think it goes against the Bible.

]]> By: Jim http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-432 Jim Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:05:26 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-432 Thank you for remaining faithful to basic Christian truth. As with you excellent commentary on other 'social doctrine' corruption (free acceptance of divorce for any reason) and others. Please don't ever change or shy from preaching what the scriptures say! There are far to few of your ilk around today! Not judging the 'mega ministries' and such, but I have yet to see one insist on Biblical fact if it offends their 'flock'... Thank you for remaining faithful to basic Christian truth. As with you excellent commentary on other ‘social doctrine’ corruption (free acceptance of divorce for any reason) and others. Please don’t ever change or shy from preaching what the scriptures say! There are far to few of your ilk around today! Not judging the ‘mega ministries’ and such, but I have yet to see one insist on Biblical fact if it offends their ‘flock’…

]]> By: Bobbie http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/the-shack/comment-page-1/#comment-428 Bobbie Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:12 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2495#comment-428 Once again, Brent, you are right on target! I, too, read the book and was greatly disturbed by it. Good. or not a good man, the author will have to give account to God for distorting Biblical truth and undermining His holiness. Once again, Brent, you are right on target! I, too, read the book and was greatly disturbed by it. Good. or not a good man, the author will have to give account to God for distorting Biblical truth and undermining His holiness.

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