the shack: helpful or heretical? copyright by norman l. geisler 2008

The Shack: The Shack: Helpful or Heretical?Helpful or Heretical?

Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008

IntroductionIntroduction• Eugene PetersonEugene Peterson, author of , author of The Message,The Message,

predicts that predicts that The ShackThe Shack may do for our may do for our generation what Bunyan’s generation what Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s ProgressPilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good.”did for his. It’s that good.”

• Patrick M. Roddy,Patrick M. Roddy, Emmy winning ABC Emmy winning ABC producer, declares “It is a one of a kind producer, declares “It is a one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of invitation to journey to the very heart of God.”God.”

• Al MohlerAl Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, , president of Southern Seminary, declared: “This book includes undiluted declared: “This book includes undiluted heresy.” heresy.”

Outline

I. The Background of the BookI. The Background of the Book

II. The Basic Story of the BookII. The Basic Story of the Book

III. A Brief Evaluation of the BookIII. A Brief Evaluation of the Book

I. The BackgroundBackground of the Book• The ShackThe Shack is listed as “fiction” but the author admits it is is listed as “fiction” but the author admits it is

basically about him (258-259).basically about him (258-259).• It is a It is a New York TimesNew York Times Bestseller of over a million. Bestseller of over a million.• It tackles some of life’s most difficult questions in an easy and It tackles some of life’s most difficult questions in an easy and

non-abrasive style.non-abrasive style.• The chief character is “Mack” [Mackenzie Allen Phillips] who The chief character is “Mack” [Mackenzie Allen Phillips] who

was an abused child of a wife-beating alcoholic religious was an abused child of a wife-beating alcoholic religious hypocrite (p.1).hypocrite (p.1).

• William Young is a friend and alleged “Ghost writer” of Mack’s William Young is a friend and alleged “Ghost writer” of Mack’s story (p. 6). story (p. 6).

• While sorrowing over the tragic death of his daughter, he got While sorrowing over the tragic death of his daughter, he got an anonymous letter that read:an anonymous letter that read:

• ““Mackenzie, It’s been a while. I’ve missed you, I’ll be at the Mackenzie, It’s been a while. I’ve missed you, I’ll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together.---Papa” (p. 6).shack next weekend if you want to get together.---Papa” (p. 6).

OutlineI. The Background of the BookI. The Background of the Book


II. The Basic Story of the BookA. Mack’s daughter is abducted and killed.A. Mack’s daughter is abducted and killed.

B. Mack falls into “the great sadness” (6).B. Mack falls into “the great sadness” (6).

C. He gets a letter from “Papa” (God) C. He gets a letter from “Papa” (God) who invites him to who invites him to a shack in the wilderness where the crime occurred (10).a shack in the wilderness where the crime occurred (10).

D. While there, God the Father appears as “a large D. While there, God the Father appears as “a large beaming African American woman” (80).beaming African American woman” (80).

E. Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker.E. Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker.

F. The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively F. The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively Asian woman” (82). Asian woman” (82).

G. They help him to gain closure on his tragedy by G. They help him to gain closure on his tragedy by teaching him about a God of love.teaching him about a God of love.

OutlineI. The Background of the BookI. The Background of the Book


III. A Brief Evaluation of the BookIII. A Brief Evaluation of the Book He claims that he engaged in He claims that he engaged in “recrafting the conversations to “recrafting the conversations to eliminate questionable theology or eliminate questionable theology or potential misunderstanding”potential misunderstanding” (262). (262).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the BookProblem One: Problem One: Rejection of Traditional Rejection of Traditional Christianity Christianity

(179).(179).The Problem:The Problem: 1. He claims that traditional Christianity did not 1. He claims that traditional Christianity did not

solve his problem.solve his problem. 2. Even Seminary training didn’t help (63).2. Even Seminary training didn’t help (63). 3. He insists that Christianity has to be revised 3. He insists that Christianity has to be revised

in order to be understood. in order to be understood.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the BookProblem One: Problem One: Rejection of Traditional Rejection of Traditional Christianity Christianity

(179).(179).The Problem:The Problem: 1. He claims that traditional Christianity did not 1. He claims that traditional Christianity did not

solve his problem.solve his problem. 2. Even Seminary training didn’t help (63).2. Even Seminary training didn’t help (63). 3. He insists that Christianity has to be revised 3. He insists that Christianity has to be revised

in order to be understood. in order to be understood. The Response:The Response: 1) Christianity does not need 1) Christianity does not need

revision; we do. 2) Christianity should not be revision; we do. 2) Christianity should not be rejected because it has some hypocritical rejected because it has some hypocritical representatives. 3) Some Seminary training is representatives. 3) Some Seminary training is bad, and even good Seminary training doesn’t bad, and even good Seminary training doesn’t help, if you don’t heed it. help, if you don’t heed it.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the BookProblem Two: Experience Trumps Problem Two: Experience Trumps

RevelationRevelation 1. Solutions to life’s basic problems 1. Solutions to life’s basic problems

come from experience, not Scripture.come from experience, not Scripture.



come from experience, not Scripture.come from experience, not Scripture. 2. Extra biblical messages are given as 2. Extra biblical messages are given as

the source of real encounter with the source of real encounter with God God and resolution of our deepest and resolution of our deepest problems problems (80-100). (80-100).



come from experience, not Scripture.come from experience, not Scripture. 2. Extra biblical messages are given as 2. Extra biblical messages are given as

the source of real encounter with the source of real encounter with God God and resolution of our deepest and resolution of our deepest problems problems (80-100). (80-100).

3. These alleged “revelations” from the 3. These alleged “revelations” from the “Trinity” in the shack are the basis of “Trinity” in the shack are the basis of the whole story.the whole story.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the BookProblem Three: Problem Three: Rejection of Reformation Rejection of Reformation

doctrine of doctrine of Sola ScripturaSola Scriptura (the Bible alone). (the Bible alone). Problem:Problem: In the Shack the Bible alone is not In the Shack the Bible alone is not

sufficient for faith and practice. He rejected sufficient for faith and practice. He rejected what “In seminary he had been taught that what “In seminary he had been taught that God God had completely stopped any overt had completely stopped any overt communication with moderns, preferring to communication with moderns, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture…. God’s voice had been reduced to Scripture…. God’s voice had been reduced to paper…. It seemed that direct communication paper…. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the with God was something exclusively for the ancients…. Nobody wanted God in a box, just ancients…. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book” (63).in a book” (63).

Response: Response: The Shack’s view is contrary to The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and Reformation principle of biblical and Reformation principle of Sola Sola ScripturaScriptura (the Bible alone). (the Bible alone).

Response: Response: The Shack’s view is contrary to The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and Reformation principle of biblical and Reformation principle of Sola Sola ScripturaScriptura (the Bible alone). (the Bible alone).

What this means:What this means:

1) The Bible is sufficient for faith and 1) The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice.practice.

2) No new truth beyond the Bible is needed for 2) No new truth beyond the Bible is needed for doctrine or living the Christian life.doctrine or living the Christian life.

Response: Response: The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and The Shack’s view is contrary to biblical and Reformation principle of Reformation principle of Sola ScripturaSola Scriptura (the Bible alone). (the Bible alone).

What this means:What this means:

1) The Bible is sufficient for faith and 1) The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice.practice.

2) No new truth beyond the Bible is needed for doctrine or 2) No new truth beyond the Bible is needed for doctrine or living the Christian life.living the Christian life.

What this does What this does notnot mean. mean.

1) God cannot bring biblical principles to our minds when 1) God cannot bring biblical principles to our minds when needed. [He can and He does.]needed. [He can and He does.]

2) God cannot guide in circumstances that help us in the 2) God cannot guide in circumstances that help us in the application of biblical principles to our lives. [He can and application of biblical principles to our lives. [He can and does.]does.]

What Says the Scripture?What Says the Scripture?• ““All Scripture is God-breathed, and is All Scripture is God-breathed, and is

profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, correction, for instruction in for instruction in righteousnessrighteousness, that the man of God , that the man of God may be may be completecomplete, , thoroughly equipped thoroughly equipped for for everyevery good work.” good work.”

• In short, no revelation beyond the Bible In short, no revelation beyond the Bible is necessary for Christian doctrine or is necessary for Christian doctrine or living.living.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Four :Problem Four : An Unbiblical View of An Unbiblical View of

God’s TriunityGod’s Triunity Problem: Problem: God appears as three separate God appears as three separate

persons (in three separate bodies) persons (in three separate bodies) which seems to support Tritheism. which seems to support Tritheism.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Four :Problem Four : An Unbiblical View of An Unbiblical View of

God’s TriunityGod’s Triunity Problem: Problem: God appears as three separate God appears as three separate

persons (in three separate bodies) persons (in three separate bodies) which seems to support Tritheism. which seems to support Tritheism.

Response: Response: In spite of the fact that the In spite of the fact that the author denies Tritheism (“We are not author denies Tritheism (“We are not

three gods” and Modalism (“We are not three gods” and Modalism (“We are not talking about One God with three talking about One God with three attitudes”—p. 100), it is an unorthodoxy attitudes”—p. 100), it is an unorthodoxy social view of Trinity where social view of Trinity where God is God is merely a merely a societysociety of different persons. of different persons.

A Social View of the Trinity:• 1) The plurality 1) The plurality is three separate is three separate

persons: persons: 1) God the Father appears as 1) God the Father appears as an African American woman” (80); an African American woman” (80);

• 2) Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern 2) Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker (82). 3) The Holy Spirit is worker (82). 3) The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively represented as “a small, distinctively Asian woman” (82).Asian woman” (82).

A Social View of the Trinity:• 1) The plurality of God 1) The plurality of God is three separate is three separate

persons: persons: 1) God the Father appears as an 1) God the Father appears as an African American woman” (80); 2) Jesus African American woman” (80); 2) Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern worker (82). 3) appears as a Middle Eastern worker (82). 3) The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, The Holy Spirit is represented as “a small, distinctively Asian woman” (82).distinctively Asian woman” (82).

• 2) The unity of God 2) The unity of God is not in one is not in one essenceessence (nature), as the orthodox view holds. Rather, (nature), as the orthodox view holds. Rather, it is a it is a socialsocial union of three separate union of three separate persons.persons.

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Five: A False View of the Problem Five: A False View of the

IncarnationIncarnation Problem:Problem: “When we three spoke “When we three spoke

ourselves into human existence as the ourselves into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human…. Son of God, we became fully human…. We now became flesh and blood” (98).We now became flesh and blood” (98).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Five: A False View of the Problem Five: A False View of the

IncarnationIncarnation Problem:Problem: “When we three spoke “When we three spoke

ourselves into human existence as the ourselves into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human…. Son of God, we became fully human…. We now became flesh and blood” (98).We now became flesh and blood” (98).Response:Response: The The TrinityTrinity did not become did not become human; only the human; only the Second PersonSecond Person assumed assumed a human nature.a human nature.

Jn. 4:24:Jn. 4:24: “God is spirit….” “God is spirit….” Jn. 1:14:Jn. 1:14: Only “The Word [Jesus] Only “The Word [Jesus]

became flesh….”became flesh….”

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Six: Problem Six: Heretical View of the Father Heretical View of the Father

sufferingsuffering ProblemProblem: He claims the Father suffered along : He claims the Father suffered along

with the Son. He wrote: “‘Haven’t you seen the with the Son. He wrote: “‘Haven’t you seen the wounds on Papa [God the Father] too?’ ’I wounds on Papa [God the Father] too?’ ’I didn’t didn’t understand them. How could he…’ ‘For understand them. How could he…’ ‘For love. love. He chose the way of the cross… He chose the way of the cross… because of because of love” (p. 165).love” (p. 165).

Response: Response: That the Father suffered is a heresy That the Father suffered is a heresy called Patripassionism which the early called Patripassionism which the early Church condemned. Suffering involves Church condemned. Suffering involves change, and God can’t change (Heb. 6:12; 2 change, and God can’t change (Heb. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:13; Jas. 1:17; Mal. 3:6).Tim. 2:13; Jas. 1:17; Mal. 3:6).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Seven:Problem Seven: An Unbiblical View of An Unbiblical View of

God’s PunishmentGod’s Punishment Problem:Problem: God said, “I don’t need to punish God said, “I don’t need to punish

people for sin…. It is not my purpose to people for sin…. It is not my purpose to punish it” punish it” (p. 119).(p. 119).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem Seven:Problem Seven: An Unbiblical View of An Unbiblical View of

God’s PunishmentGod’s Punishment Problem:Problem: God said, “I don’t need to punish God said, “I don’t need to punish

people for sin…. It is not my purpose to people for sin…. It is not my purpose to punish it” punish it” (p. 119).(p. 119).

Response: Response: The Bible says God is holy (Lev. The Bible says God is holy (Lev. 11:44) and so He must punish sin.11:44) and so He must punish sin.

Hab. 1:13:Hab. 1:13: “You…are of purer eyes than to “You…are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong….”see evil and cannot look at wrong….” Rom. 6:23:Rom. 6:23: “The wages of sin is “The wages of sin is death….”death….”

Rom. 12:19:Rom. 12:19: “‘ “‘ Vengeance is mine, I will Vengeance is mine, I will repay’ says the Lord.”repay’ says the Lord.”

Problem Eight: Problem Eight: A False View of the Way of A False View of the Way of Salvation: Jesus is only the “best” way.Salvation: Jesus is only the “best” way.

Problem:Problem: “I am the best way any human “I am the best way any human can relate to Papa [the Father].”can relate to Papa [the Father].”

Problem Eight: Problem Eight: A False View of the Way of A False View of the Way of Salvation: Jesus is only the “best” way.Salvation: Jesus is only the “best” way.

Problem:Problem: “I am the best way any human “I am the best way any human can relate to Papa [the Father].”can relate to Papa [the Father].” ResponseResponse: Jesus is not just the : Jesus is not just the “best”“best” way way

to God; He is the to God; He is the onlyonly way to God. way to God. Jn. 14:6:Jn. 14:6: Jesus said, “I am Jesus said, “I am thethe way…. way….

No No one comes to the Father except by one comes to the Father except by me.”me.”

Jn. 3:18:Jn. 3:18: “He who believes in Him [Christ] “He who believes in Him [Christ] is not condemned; but is not condemned; but he who does he who does

not not believe is condemned already, believe is condemned already, because because he has not believed in the he has not believed in the name of the name of the only begotten Son of God.” only begotten Son of God.”

Jn. 8:24:Jn. 8:24: Jesus said, Jesus said, If you do not believe If you do not believe that that I am He, you will die in your sin.”I am He, you will die in your sin.”

Jn. 10:1, 9:Jn. 10:1, 9: “Most assuredly, I say to you, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber… I am the door. If anyone enters and a robber… I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.”by Me, he will be saved.”

Rom. 10:9:Rom. 10:9: “If you “If you confess with your mouth the confess with your mouth the Lord JesusLord Jesus and believe in your heart that and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”saved.”

Problem Nine:Problem Nine: A Wrong View of Who Will be Saved— A Wrong View of Who Will be Saved—Virtually anyone through virtually any religion apart from Virtually anyone through virtually any religion apart from Christ!Christ!

Problem:Problem: This is a form Inclusivism. Anyone in any This is a form Inclusivism. Anyone in any religion can be saved. “Jesus [said]…. religion can be saved. “Jesus [said]…. ‘Those who love ‘Those who love me come from every system that exists. They are me come from every system that exists. They are Buddhists or Mormons, Baptist, or Muslims, …and many Buddhists or Mormons, Baptist, or Muslims, …and many who are not part of any Sunday morning or religious who are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institution….institution…. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to I have no desire to make them Christians,make them Christians, but I do want to join them in their but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa….’ transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa….’ ‘Does that mean…that all roads will lead to you?’ ‘Not at ‘Does that mean…that all roads will lead to you?’ ‘Not at all…. Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does all…. Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you’” (184).mean is that I will travel any road to find you’” (184).

Response:Response: No one can be saved apart No one can be saved apart from from knowing Christ.knowing Christ.

Acts 4:12:Acts 4:12: “There is “There is no other name no other name under under heaven,heaven, given among men, by given among men, by which we must which we must be saved.”be saved.”

1 Tim. 2:5:1 Tim. 2:5: “There is one God and “There is one God and one one mediatormediator between God and men, the between God and men, the Man Man Christ Jesus.”Christ Jesus.”

Jn. 3:18:Jn. 3:18: “He who does not believe is “He who does not believe is condemned condemned already, already, because he has because he has not believed in the not believed in the name of the name of the only begotten Son of God.”only begotten Son of God.”

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem TenProblem Ten: Excluding the Role of : Excluding the Role of

the Church in Edifying Believers the Church in Edifying Believers Problem:Problem: The Shack is totally silent about the role The Shack is totally silent about the role

a community of believers plays in building up the a community of believers plays in building up the saints. In fact there is a kind of anti-church saints. In fact there is a kind of anti-church

current current born of a reaction to a hypocritical, born of a reaction to a hypocritical, legalistic, and legalistic, and abusive father (1-3). abusive father (1-3).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem TenProblem Ten: Excluding the Role of : Excluding the Role of

the Church in Edifying Believers the Church in Edifying Believers Problem:Problem: The Shack is totally silent about the role The Shack is totally silent about the role

a community of believers plays in building up the a community of believers plays in building up the saints. In fact there is a kind of anti-church saints. In fact there is a kind of anti-church

current current born of a reaction to a hypocritical, born of a reaction to a hypocritical, legalistic, and legalistic, and abusive father who was a church abusive father who was a church leader (1-3). leader (1-3).

Response:Response: Hebrews speaks of “not neglecting to Hebrews speaks of “not neglecting to meet together, as the habit of some, but meet together, as the habit of some, but

encouraging one another…” encouraging one another…” (10:25).(10:25). God gave the church “pastors and teachers, to God gave the church “pastors and teachers, to

equip the saints…for building up the body of equip the saints…for building up the body of Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-12). Paul said, “To each Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-12). Paul said, “To each

[one [one in the body] is given the manifestation of the in the body] is given the manifestation of the Spirit Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7). for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem ElevenProblem Eleven: Wrong View of Faith : Wrong View of Faith

and Reasonand Reason Problem:Problem: It embraces an irrational view ofIt embraces an irrational view of

faith.faith. “ “There are times when you choose to believe There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually irrational, but it is surely not rational” (p. 64).irrational, but it is surely not rational” (p. 64).

III. A Brief Evaluation of the Book Problem ElevenProblem Eleven: Wrong View of Faith : Wrong View of Faith

and Reasonand Reason Problem:Problem: It embraces an irrational view ofIt embraces an irrational view of

faith.faith. “ “There are times when you choose to believe There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually absolutely irrational. It doesn’t mean that it is actually irrational, but it is surely not rational” (p. 64).irrational, but it is surely not rational” (p. 64).

Response: Response: “’Come now let us “’Come now let us reasonreason together,’ together,’ says the Lord” (Isa. 1:18:). “Give a says the Lord” (Isa. 1:18:). “Give a reasonreason for the for the hope hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15); “Paul…that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15); “Paul…reasoned reasoned with with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2). “These them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2). “These were were more fair-minded [because] more fair-minded [because] they searched they searched the the Scriptures daily…Scriptures daily…whether these things be sowhether these things be so” (Acts ” (Acts 17:11). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but 17:11). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the test the spirits spirits whether they are of God” (1 Jn. 4:1).whether they are of God” (1 Jn. 4:1).

Problem Twelve: Problem Twelve: It is a Denial of a Divine order in the It is a Denial of a Divine order in the Godhead, the Church, and the family for an egalitarian Godhead, the Church, and the family for an egalitarian view of all: view of all:

“‘“‘Well I know that there are three of you. But you respond with Well I know that there are three of you. But you respond with such graciousness to each other. Isn’t one of you more the boss such graciousness to each other. Isn’t one of you more the boss than the other two…. I have always thought of God the Father as than the other two…. I have always thought of God the Father as sort of being the boss and Jesus as the one following orders, you sort of being the boss and Jesus as the one following orders, you know being obedient….’ Mackenzie, ‘we have no concept of final know being obedient….’ Mackenzie, ‘we have no concept of final authority among us; only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, authority among us; only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command…. What you’re seeing here is not a chain of command…. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any overlay of power…. Hierarchy would relationship without any overlay of power…. Hierarchy would make no sense among us’” (121). make no sense among us’” (121).

Response:Response: this is a false view of the Trinity. this is a false view of the Trinity.

Jesus Submitted to the Father: “O My Father,… not my will be done but yours” (Mt. 26:39). “He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death…” (Philip. 2:8). In heaven “then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28).


Children Submit to their Father: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord…” (Eph. 6:1).


Children Submit to their Father:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord…” (Eph. 6:1).

Wives Submit to their Husbands: “Wives submit to your own husband, as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). “The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3).

Problem ThirteenProblem Thirteen:: It Negates Knowledge of God It Negates Knowledge of God ProblemProblem: God is wholly other; we can’t really : God is wholly other; we can’t really

know Him: “I am God. I am who I am. And know Him: “I am God. I am who I am. And unlike unlike you…” (96). “I am what some would say ‘holy you…” (96). “I am what some would say ‘holy

and and wholly other than you” (97). “I am not merely wholly other than you” (97). “I am not merely the the best version of you that you can think of. I am best version of you that you can think of. I am far far more than that, above and beyond all that you more than that, above and beyond all that you

can ask or think” (97).can ask or think” (97).

Problem ThirteenProblem Thirteen:: It Negates Knowledge of God It Negates Knowledge of God ProblemProblem: God is wholly other; we can’t really : God is wholly other; we can’t really

know Him: “I am God. I am who I am. And know Him: “I am God. I am who I am. And unlike unlike you…” (96). “I am what some would say ‘holy you…” (96). “I am what some would say ‘holy

and and wholly other than you” (97). “I am not merely wholly other than you” (97). “I am not merely the the best version of you that you can think of. I am best version of you that you can think of. I am far far more than that, above and beyond all that you more than that, above and beyond all that you

can ask or think” (97).can ask or think” (97). Response: Response: We can know what God is really like We can know what God is really like

in both general and special revelation. “Since in both general and special revelation. “Since the creation of the world the creation of the world his invisible attributes his invisible attributes are clearly seen…are clearly seen…even his eternal power and even his eternal power and Godhead…” (Rom.1:20). Jesus said, “If you Godhead…” (Rom.1:20). Jesus said, “If you had known me, you would have had known me, you would have known my known my

FatherFather also” (Jn. 14:7).also” (Jn. 14:7).

Problem Fourteen: Problem Fourteen: It entails divine deception It entails divine deception

since God is revealed in ways contrary to His since God is revealed in ways contrary to His nature. The Father is revealed as a black nature. The Father is revealed as a black woman woman and having a body when He is neither.and having a body when He is neither.



Response: Response: 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 1) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24) and He has no body (Lk. 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God 24:39). That figures of speech are used of God

(like (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. not speak of His nature.




(like (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. not speak of His nature.2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible. 2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible.




(like (like Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do Rock or Hen) are irrelevant since all agree they do not speak of His nature. not speak of His nature.2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible. 2) God is never called a “Mother” in the Bible. 3) It is deceptive to portray God’s Nature in any way 3) It is deceptive to portray God’s Nature in any way

that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92).





that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). 4) It is not 4) It is not adaptation to human limits adaptation to human limits but but

accommodation to human erroraccommodation to human error. It is like saying . It is like saying storks bring babies. He calls it a “mask” that falls storks bring babies. He calls it a “mask” that falls away (111). But God does not have masks (Jn. away (111). But God does not have masks (Jn.

1:14; 1:14; 14:9). 14:9).





that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). that He is not, even with a loving motive (91-92). 4) It is not 4) It is not adaptation to human limits adaptation to human limits but but

accommodation to human erroraccommodation to human error. It is like saying . It is like saying storks bring babies. It is a “mask” that falls away storks bring babies. It is a “mask” that falls away (111). But God does not have masks. (111). But God does not have masks. 5) “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Paul 5) “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Paul speaks of the “God who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). speaks of the “God who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2).

The Shack: The Shack: Helpful or Heretical?Helpful or Heretical?

1) It is a 1) It is a good story,good story, but it contains but it contains bad theology.bad theology.

2) It may be 2) It may be psychologically helpful, psychologically helpful, but it isbut it is theologically harmful. theologically harmful.

3) It may bring good 3) It may bring good feeling,feeling, but it is but it is not good not good teaching.teaching.

Dr. Al Mohler was right: Dr. Al Mohler was right: Despite all the Despite all the literary and psychological delight it brings,literary and psychological delight it brings, “This book includes undiluted heresy.” “This book includes undiluted heresy.”

the shack: helpful or heretical? copyright by norman l. geisler 2008

Documents

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brief evaluation

lifes basic problems

basic story

seminary training didnt

papa god

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