PROBLEM ISSUES: SUBVERSION & REVELATION (aided by Tim Challies)

SUBVERSION IN THE SHACK

The author, whose ideas thinly veiled within the main character Mack, subtly criticizes many aspects of the church & contemporary Christianity before replacing them with mores of his own. Among his numerous criticisms, we see him knock seminary education (p. 91), the Bible (p. 65-66- “God’s voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by the proper individuals and authorities… Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather…”), coming to a theological certainty (p. 203), the church as a body (p. 177- “You talk about the church as this woman you’re in love with; I’m pretty sure I haven’t met her… She’s not the place I go on Sundays), the church as individuals (p. 178), and having family devotionals (p. 107), among other things. I think we would all agree that the church has its flaws (indeed, every institution of man is flawed), but let us be wise about our critiques- lest our pride outstrip our love- and where they are stated- lest the world think the church has no hope.

REVELATION (HOW WE CAN KNOW GOD) IN THE SHACK

Does The Shack point Christians to the unfailing standard of Scripture or does it point them elsewhere, to “new” revelation? Young consistently seems to downplay the role of Scripture in the Christian life and emphasizes one’s personal experience. Tim Challies says, “What Young indicates in The Shack is that we must expect God to reveal Himself in the Scripture, but only as one way out of many. Nowhere is Scripture given the place of prominence and uniqueness that it demands of itself. But without Scripture as our norm, as our rule, we are subject to every whim. Only when we measure all of our behavior and all our beliefs against the perfect measure given to us by God.” It is easy to see Young’s points, that we should be listening to the ever-present voice of God, ready to teach us any and everywhere, but we must be careful never to downplay the beauty, power, or sufficiency of the Bible or its ability to “teach, instruct, rebuke & train up in righteousness,” valuing it as Christ Himself valued it (ex. Christ, instead of using his divine power to shut the mouth of the devil or destroy him in the desert, quotes Scripture… crazy).

GREAT ILLUSTRATION HELPING TO EXPLAIN PHIL 1:6 & ROMANS 8:28

“This [the wild & beautiful garden that Mack & Sarayu, the Holy Spirit character, have been working in so diligently, though Mack did not know why] mess is you! Together, you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in progress. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive- a living fractal!” (p. 138).