Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Book Review: "The Shack"—Author William Paul Young


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Though the novel, "The Shack", is categorized as fictional genre, it faults in perpetuating major heresies. The Christian faith should not be abused as a mere prop for fictitious literary entertainment, or any other media for that matter. The author had other options to use for the supernatural encounter, which is at the heart of his novel. He could have alluded to these strangers as if they were angels supplying the same message of comfort to the family of the victim. Rather, the focus is on a completely distorted theological depiction of the Triune God.

The visual portrayals of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have a deeper layer of precarious subliminal implications to unsuspecting readers. These unusual pictorials reveal inequality amongst the Holy Trinity and presuppose a feministic ideology of goddess deities in that the Father and the Holy Spirit are identified as female. "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them" (2 Peter 2:1).

According to this novel, the Lord Jesus Christ presumably had no power as God in Himself while in the flesh. The premise, albeit contextual in this imaginary tale, suggests negation of Christ's full divine nature as well as His full human nature. "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). No one has ever seen the Father or the Holy Spirit. The manifestation of the Holy Trinity was only witnessed in the Epiphany revealed in the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the voice of the Father was heard, the Son was seen, and the Holy Spirit was resembled as a dove.

We cannot ascertain the author's motives, but we can caution the readers about the dangers of these kinds of novels that can easily capture people's minds hostage because they deliver a soothing message but with misleading information to the broken-hearted. This scenario poses immense potential to drive the more vulnerable towards heresies. We are not passing judgment on the author, but we must warn the Christian public that though this is simply fiction, it is offensive to Christians. Therefore, be vigilant "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting" (Ephesians 4:14).

Be attentive at all times—exercising prudence regarding any theological report presented in various forums, even if it is called, "fiction." Diligently review all material, literature, and films that invoke God's name in any venue of scriptural or doctrinal discourse about the Christian faith. This is our faith for which we have been greatly entrusted as stewards and children of God.

"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:17-18).


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