The Shack - A Broken Theology

I remember several years ago speaking with a man in the garden centre where I worked. He did not want a God that most churches he knew of portrayed. He wanted a God he could understand, one he could talk with and go to the bar and drink with. In essence he wanted a god of his own making, not the God of Scripture.

One way in which this worldly philosophy has infiltrated the church is in some of the central aspects of what I understand about the emerging church. Something that seems to come up again and again is a kind of pseudo-humility where no certainty is allowed, no absolutes exist, we are just on a journey. That journey involves getting into the culture and using culture to reach people. The church has become a place for the world rather than a place for God's people.

One of the most influential books, or perhaps the most reflective, is The Shack. I have had some friends recommend it strongly while others began it with interest but put it down with disappointment and even disgust after a couple of chapters.

I would highly recommend you read this booklet by Tim Challies - A Reader's Review of The Shack

In a time of uncertainty in the world all it seems many churches want to do is reflect that uncertainty. Instead of standing firmly by "Thus saith the Lord" they fall back on experiance and describe their relationship with Christ as a journey rather than a destination. Indeed, the apostle Paul wrote that he did not count himself to have apprehended, he did not consider himself to have reached the pinnacle of what a Christian should be, but at the same time he taught and believed absolutes.

For many reasons this book, The Shack, should avoided and people should be discouraged from reading it. If you think this is harsh just read the booklet to which I have linked and I think you will understand.

The Shack may make a nice narrative, but it makes for very poor theology.