It's not everyday that the #1 book on the New York Times best-seller list is about a man that meets with God. Lately, though, "The Shack", a work of fiction by William P. Young, has been a fixture near the top of every such list. Maybe you've never heard of The Shack. Maybe you've been curious because all your friends are talking about it. Maybe you've already read it.
I did.
I knew this was a book I wanted to read when I heard well-known Christians giving very different opinions on it. Michael W. Smith says it will "leave you craving for the presence of God." Eugene Peterson is quoted as saying "The Shack has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his". On the flip side, Al Mohler says the book "includes undiluted heresy...and falls far short of Biblical Christianity". Tim Challies wrote a review that said the book "may be an engaging read, but it is one that contains far too much error."
Here's my two cents...no spoilers included. I think the book succeeds in what must be one of the author's main goals: it helps the reader think outside the box and challenges his/her preconceived notions of God. I found myself re-thinking some images I had in my mind of what God is like and why He does what He does. This can be a valuable exercise, because a finite mind can never fully understand the majesty and wonder of an infinite God.
However, I also think the book fails in that it does not always present God the same way the Scriptures do. Thinking outside the box about God is a good thing...thinking outside the Bible about God is not. Issues that the Bible deals with clearly (such as the authority and holiness of God) come to mind as areas that The Shack shortchanged, in my opinion.
I think it's important for Christians to know what is in "The Shack" so they can intelligently dialogue with others who have read it. I thought the same thing about The Da Vinci Code. (Please don't draw too many comparisons there- I only bring it up to make the point that unbelievers can/will come away from this book, as with Dan Brown's record-setting novel, with an understanding of God...and I don't believe it to be a completely accurate portrayal). However, as an avid reader of fiction, I enjoyed the storytelling in both books.
To sum it up then, should you read "The Shack"? As a Christian who wants to know what the world is thinking about God, I think you should. As a new Christian or unbeliever who is not firmly grounded in your faith, I would suggest that you not.
If you are really curious about the book and looking for more information, I found these two sites to be very helpful. Tim Challies, a conservative blogger, identified some theological issues in his review here. Wayne Jacobsen, one of the men who collaborated on the book manuscript, defends his work here.
Ultimately, the reader's discernment (and willingness to test what he/she reads against the Scripture) is critical. One final point I would make: don't fall into the trap of assuming this book isn't about theology. By definition, theology is "the study of God and of God's relation to the world". A book that is making people feel closer to God or challenging what they think about God is a theology book -- you don't have to agree with everything in the book to read it (in my opinion), but neither should you turn your brain off and say:
"It's more important to enjoy a book that makes me feel close to God than to get worked up over every little point of doctrine." (that's my shorthand summary of a lot of reviews and comments I've heard, for what it's worth).
Let me start by saying how excited I am about what I'm going to share with you. First of all, you may have heard there's this new senior pastor-type guy floating around the building now. Yeah, Sam something-or-other...that's him.
ANYWAY, the senior pastor-guy and I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks brainstorming a zillion different things...and one of those brainstorms is coming to fruition on September 10th.
And I want you to join us! Here goes...
Are you ready?
Okay, this is really it:
An axis is defined as something an object is centered upon or rotates around. In the same way, our church should be built upon and revolve around prayer. For this reason, you are invited to join Pastor Sam and Pastor Tim during a group time of focused prayer on Wednesday nights. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...and always keep on praying for all the saints." Since we are commanded to pray with all kinds of prayers and requests, we have divided our "Prayer Axis" points into the following four segments. If you are a worship choir member or have to work late and can't attend all four sessions, please come for as many as you can!
ADORATION 6:00-6:15 pm During this time, we will read a passage from the Word, respond in prayer, and praise the Lord for Who He is.
XPRESSION 6:15-6:30 pm This is the time where we will take turns sharing with each other the burdens, concerns, and requests that are on our hearts.
INTERCESSION 6:30-6:45 pm In this segment, we will divide into smaller groups and spend time lifting each other's requests to the Lord.
SPOTLIGHT 6:45-7:00 pm Those who are not in worship choir will close the night by specifically lifting up selected government officials, missionaries, church leaders, and ministry programs.
Our new Wednesday night schedule will feature these AXIS segments every fifteen minutes from 6:00-7:00 pm, with worship choir rehearsal slightly overlapping. That's right, no more 7:07 choir rehearsal! Choir will now begin at 6:45 pm and finish at 8:00. Hopefully, EVERY adult in the church will consider this bookend evening of prayer and worship:
6:00 Adoration 6:15 Xpression 6:30 Intercession 6:45 Worship Choir begins 6:45 Spotlight (for those not in choir) 7:00 AXIS ends 8:00 Worship Choir ends
This "new and improved" schedule starts on September 10th with the first PRAYER AXIS and the first worship choir rehearsal. Please consider joining us for both!
Yes, I know...it's been a couple weeks since I posted...here's a roundup of what I've been up to:
Molly and I spent three days in Michigan camping with my family...which means I get my fill of great food and euchre! We were staying in South Haven, and they have (according to my mother) one of the best ice cream places in the world.
It was tasty :)
After a whirlwind day at home, we left again, this time for vacation with Molly's family in Hilton Head. The house we stayed at is the same one we were in for a week last summer, and it's BEAUTIFUL. Walking distance from the beach (which Molly loved), two HD televisions (which I loved), 49 bedrooms (or so it seemed), an elevator....the list goes on...
We spent a lot of our down time watching the Olympics...everyone had their favorite events, but I especially enjoyed keeping track of Michael Phelps and the USA men's basketball team.
We took turns sharing family devotions while we were there, and on my night, I talked about how much training and preparation it takes for an Olympic athlete to be able to compete. They don't just show up the day of the event and swim...training is a priority for their entire lives.
And then I asked myself...and the family...and now you blog readers...have you ever stopped to think if you make the Christian life a priority? A priority like swimming is for Michael Phelps? Like basketball is for Kobe Bryant? I showed the family one of Michael Phelps' sample training schedules...every tiny aspect of his sport is focused on and worked on. Do we put the same thought and time and preparation into growing the way Christ would want us to?
Paul compared living for Jesus over and over again to an athletic contest, just like the Olympics. Look at this passage from II Timothy 4: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day..."
How about this example in I Corinthians 9? "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly....I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
Don't be one of those Christians that shows up at church on Sunday because they know they're supposed to...and then live however they want the rest of the week without giving God a second thought. Set time aside for studying God's Word...for memorizing it...for fellowship with other believers...for regular prayer...run the race!
Hebrews 12: 1-2 "...Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."
The team arrived safely back in Springfield around 3:30 pm this afternoon. Thank you for your prayers during this week of ministry!
Continue to pray for Fellowship youth pastor Jeremy Hudson's father-in-law, Joe Nourse. Joe cut his finger off with a saw today, and is having surgery in Columbus to try and re-attach the finger. Jeremy just got back into town with the teens and is heading to be with his family soon. Thank you for lifting them up in prayer.
As part of this year's Most Wanted List campaign, we're hoping to invite 1,000 friends to attend our Christmas program, The Richest Family in Town, in the 1,000 hours before the first performance. You can find more information about our production at: SpringfieldChristmas.com
It's not everyday that the #1 book on the New York Times best-seller list is about a man that meets with God. Lately, though, "The Shack", a work of fiction by William P. Young, has been a fixture near the top of every such list. Maybe you've never heard of The Shack. Maybe you've been curious because all your friends are talking about it. Maybe you've already read it.
