374 of 437 people found the following review helpful
By Ben Raines
Format:Paperback
Having read both The Shack (5 times) and "Burning Down the Shack", I am disappointed at another attempt by self-anointed 'experts' to 'protect' us from false doctrine. As another reviewer has mentioned, Paul Young wrote The Shack as a piece of fiction, not as a new revelation of God. Young's experiences and his grappeling with his faith might have taken him on a different journey than the author of Burning Down the Shack, but where Young succeeds in revealing the love and mercy of God toward man, de Young describes man's instinctive distrust in unearned grace and suggests that the relationship between God and man is Jesus, plus this or Jesus plus that. Essentially we get back to works and earning God's approval under de Young's theology.
It's almost too apparent that de Young seeks to capitalize on Paul Young's success; not by creating a thought-provoking and inspiring book, but by straining gnats in his critique of a superior work. Another biblical scholar - the man who wrote The Message bible, Dr. Eugene Peterson, praises The Shack, as do numerous other pastors. What The Shack does, is it presents an approachable Father; and by bringing hurting people to a point where they can at least hope that God is as loving as The Shack portrays - that He not only knows their circumstances, He's willing to step into them on our behalf - it's at this point that people can feel comfortable enough with God to trust Him with their lives. The Shack has done more to draw people to Christ than any book since the Bible. Where they go from there is a journey of deeper discovery and more sure faith. Conversely, Burning Down the Shack is like a termite, undermining hope and faith and plunging readers back into a failed and ineffective system.
de Young says that The Shack promotes universalism, when the book clearly states that all roads don't lead to Christ. The Shack presents a Jesus who will walk anywhere to find followers, but He doesn't leave them in their sins and false beliefs. De Young says that The Shack trivializes God, but readers of The Shack will not find God letting Mack get away with anything. De Young implies a hierarcy in the Trinity, but if the three members of the God-head walk in complete unity, why would a hierarchy be necessary? de Young is a theologian - a person who has invested his time and energy and money into unlocking the mysteries of God...and ignoring what is so obvious to people who have been inspired by The Shack.
de Young's book reminds me of the story where Christ was performing miracles and casting out demons. The religious leaders claimed that He was able to cast out demons because He himself was one. Other would argue why a demon would turn on himself. The Shack has been demonized when the fruits of this book have produced the absolute opposite of what critics are claiming. While it is true that Young personally leaned towards universal reconciliation - an idea that was the result of his own personal spiritual healing - The Shack was co-written by two other respected theologians who collaborated with Young and were satisfied that the finished product - that book that millions of people have bought and read, presents Jesus is someone we have to accept through repentance and belief in this age to participate in His life.
Finally, the fear and criticism over The Shack theology is that it sounds too good and too simple to be true, thus it must be heresy. Put those chains back on if you must, but I prefer the freedom of being in relationship with Christ to that of a servant. If God is not as loving and merciful and gracious as Papa, why would He sacrifice so much to gain my love; for who am I and what can I really do for God? Theologians like de Young have kept believers so busy serving God and knowing how unworthy and dependent we are, that few of us have had the courage to look beyond God's hands to His face, and to see there the love and acceptance and inheritance He offers. Fear only works as long as we allow our selves to fear God; love keeps us in the relationship.
It's almost too apparent that de Young seeks to capitalize on Paul Young's success; not by creating a thought-provoking and inspiring book, but by straining gnats in his critique of a superior work. Another biblical scholar - the man who wrote The Message bible, Dr. Eugene Peterson, praises The Shack, as do numerous other pastors. What The Shack does, is it presents an approachable Father; and by bringing hurting people to a point where they can at least hope that God is as loving as The Shack portrays - that He not only knows their circumstances, He's willing to step into them on our behalf - it's at this point that people can feel comfortable enough with God to trust Him with their lives. The Shack has done more to draw people to Christ than any book since the Bible. Where they go from there is a journey of deeper discovery and more sure faith. Conversely, Burning Down the Shack is like a termite, undermining hope and faith and plunging readers back into a failed and ineffective system.
de Young says that The Shack promotes universalism, when the book clearly states that all roads don't lead to Christ. The Shack presents a Jesus who will walk anywhere to find followers, but He doesn't leave them in their sins and false beliefs. De Young says that The Shack trivializes God, but readers of The Shack will not find God letting Mack get away with anything. De Young implies a hierarcy in the Trinity, but if the three members of the God-head walk in complete unity, why would a hierarchy be necessary? de Young is a theologian - a person who has invested his time and energy and money into unlocking the mysteries of God...and ignoring what is so obvious to people who have been inspired by The Shack.
de Young's book reminds me of the story where Christ was performing miracles and casting out demons. The religious leaders claimed that He was able to cast out demons because He himself was one. Other would argue why a demon would turn on himself. The Shack has been demonized when the fruits of this book have produced the absolute opposite of what critics are claiming. While it is true that Young personally leaned towards universal reconciliation - an idea that was the result of his own personal spiritual healing - The Shack was co-written by two other respected theologians who collaborated with Young and were satisfied that the finished product - that book that millions of people have bought and read, presents Jesus is someone we have to accept through repentance and belief in this age to participate in His life.
Finally, the fear and criticism over The Shack theology is that it sounds too good and too simple to be true, thus it must be heresy. Put those chains back on if you must, but I prefer the freedom of being in relationship with Christ to that of a servant. If God is not as loving and merciful and gracious as Papa, why would He sacrifice so much to gain my love; for who am I and what can I really do for God? Theologians like de Young have kept believers so busy serving God and knowing how unworthy and dependent we are, that few of us have had the courage to look beyond God's hands to His face, and to see there the love and acceptance and inheritance He offers. Fear only works as long as we allow our selves to fear God; love keeps us in the relationship.
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