In recent months,The Shack has stormed bookstores across the nation, climbing its way to the top of the bestseller list under the genre of “Christian fiction.”  Admittedly, I had no interest in reading the book simply due to the fact that I usually prefer non-fiction titles.  But after weeks of hearing and seeing people read, tote, talk about, recommend, and even distribute this book to others en masse, I finally relented and bought a copy just to see what all the fuss was about. Even as I write this sentence The Shack ranks #6 on Amazon.com’s overall best-seller list, where it boasts more than 520 reader reviews. What’s the appeal?  And is it really that good?  Let’s take a look…

THE SHACK

(William P. Young, Newbury Park, CA: Windblown Media, ©2007, 256 pp., List price: $14.99)
Reviewed by Dr. Scott E. Kaufman, Director of Healthcare Ministries

Author. William P. Young was born in Canada and raised among a stone-age tribe by his missionary parents in Papua, New Guinea. He now resides in Gresham, Oregon. Young writes, “The Shack was a story written for my six children, with no thought or intention to publish. It is as much a surprise to me as to anyone else that I am now an ‘author.’”

Synopsis. The Shack is a fictional story that seeks to provide answers to the age-old question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” Mack, the main character, has lived under the burden of The Great Sadness since the abduction and murder of his daughter four years previous.  He then receives a note from God (“Papa”), inviting him to return to the shack — the scene of his daughter’s murder — for a time together. When he returns to the scene, Mack is treated to a weekend encounter with the Godhead. Each member of the Trinity is present: “Papa” – a large African-American woman (representing the Father); ”Sarayu” – an ethereal woman of Asian descent (representing the Holy Spirit); and “Jesus” – a Middle Eastern man with carpentry skills. Most of the book is Mack’s dialogue with these characters from this point on. They discuss many topics, but ultimately help Mack to deal with The Great Sadness.  By the time the weekend is over, Mack is a changed man.

Spiritual Intent & Theological Impact.  Although a fictional work, Young did not write this book for the story. This book is all about the content and the teaching it contains. “The Shack — God As You’ve Never Seen Him Before!”  says an ad on his website.  The book is clearly intended to impact readers’ ideas about God, evil, and a host of other important theological topics. And it is succeeding. Readers are describing it as “life changing,” “spiritually profound,” “theologically enlightening” and “teaching powerful theological lessons.”  One reviewer writes, “Our Bible study group is really enjoying doing a study on The Shack” (emphasis added). Many readers are claiming that the book has changed not only their lives, but also their understanding of God. But the reader should note that errorneous teachings abound in The Shack. Not only does it teach a false view of God and the Trinity, it also downplays the importance and uniqueness of the Bible, misrepresents redemption and salvation, teaches a false understanding of evil, muddies the concept of forgiveness, and more. But don’t just take my word for it. I would strongly recommend the following reviews by two very solid leaders in the evangelical world:

1) Tim Challies. One of the best reviews of The Shack I have found is the one by Tim Challies. He authors the website, Challies Dot Com, and is editor of Discerning Reader, a site dedicated to discerning reviews of books that are of interest to Christians. He is also the author of the book (reviewed on this site yesterday), The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment. You may download Challies’ review (pictured at right) in PDF format by clicking here.

2) Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. Another excellent review of The Shack was recently done by Dr. Al Mohler, who serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Recently, Dr. Mohler featured, “A Look at The Shack” on The Albert Mohler Radio Program, where he gave an extended analysis of the book and made note of its serious, even dangerous, theological deficiencies. Mohler states of The Shack:
♦ “This book includes undiluted heresy.”
♦ “This book simply, by any measure, falls far short of biblical Christianity.”
♦ “Regardless of intention (I can’t read the [author's] heart), I can tell you that the effect of the book is indeed deeply subversive of the Christian faith, and I think inherently seductive as well.”

You may listen to the full audio recording of “A Look at The Shack” on The Albert Mohler Radio Program here.

Who Should & Who Shouldn’t Read The Shack ?  A reviewer on Amazon.com wryly notes:

The Shack IS recommended reading IF…
♦ You want to recreate God in your own image;
♦ You find Isaiah’s portrayal of a holy God seated upon His throne to be a disturbing image;
♦ You would prefer to metaphorically cast God the Father as a loving and large black woman named “Papa,” Jesus as a laid back and friendly Middle Eastern man, and the Holy Spirit as a calm and cool Asian woman;
♦ You want a God so small that you and she/he/she can just hang out together as best buddies;
♦ You regard the Bible as an extremely biased, narrow-minded, and insufficient revelation of God in leather binding with “guilt edges” (p. 65);
♦ You believe that God is never to be feared (p. 90);
♦ You believe that Jesus’ miracles do not affirm Him as God, but prove only “that Jesus is truly human” (p.99);
♦ You want a God who does not hold people accountable for, nor punishes sin (p. 119);
♦ You want a God who does not demand that you submit to him or her, but one who submits to YOU (p. 145);
♦ You want a God who accepts everyone — “Buddhists…Muslims, bankers and bookies” — as his or her children no matter what their beliefs or behavior, and that Jesus has “no desire to make them Christian” (p. 223);
♦ You believe that Jesus lied when He warned, “Broad is the road that leads to destruction” (Matthew 7:13), because in The Shack, Jesus says, “Most roads don’t lead anywhere.”

The Shack is NOT recommended for… any Christian who loves the Bible and wants to know God as He wants to be known — as He has revealed Himself to mankind in the Scriptures. 

CONCLUSION.  We will conclude with a final quote from Tim Challies: “Because of the sheer volume of error and because of the importance of the doctrines reinvented by the author, I would encourage Christians, and especially young Christians, to decline this invitation to meet with God in The Shack. It is not worth reading for the story and certainly not worth reading for the theology… That The Shack is a dangerous book should be obvious from this review. The book’s subversive undertones seek to dismantle many aspects of the faith and these are subsequently replaced with doctrine that is just plain wrong. Error abounds. I urge you, the reader, to exercise care in reading and distributing this book. The Shack may be an may be an engaging read but it is one that contains far too much error. Read it only with the utmost care and concern, critically evaluating the book against the unchanging standard of Scripture. Caveat lector!”  A Latin phrase meaning,

???????? ????? ????????Let the Reader Beware!

Our penultimate (next-to-last) book review concerns the subject of spiritual discernment.  This will set us up nicely for tomorrow’s review of The Shack which, although a popular book, I and many others believe is one that should only be read (if read at all) with mature and discerning eyes. And discernment is precisely what today’s book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, can help us to develop. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Dr. Scott Kaufman, Director of Healthcare Ministries:

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

(Tim Challies. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, ©2007, 208 pp., List price: $16.99)

Author. Tim Challies is one of the most widely read and recognized bloggers in the Christian blogosphere.  He is also the editor of Discerning Reader, a site dedicated to offering thoughtful reviews of books that are of interest to Christians. Dr. Al Mohler of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary calls Challies “one of the finest young evangelical thinkers of our day.”

Synopsis. What exactly is spiritual discernment?  Challies defines it as, “the skill of understanding and applying God’s Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong”(61). This solidly biblical book explains why Christians desperately need discernment in today’s world, as well as the consequences we reap from a lack thereof.  Outlining practical steps we can take to cultivate discernment in our own lives, Challies shows us how to apply scriptural tools and principles that will enable us to come to biblically consistent conclusions about people, events, ideas, etc., that confront us every day. 

Highlights. Highlights of this book include its readability, its Biblical focus, and its practical usefulness.  Toward the end of the book, all of the information is coalesced to give the reader a framework for exercising discernment, leading him/her through the process in a step-by-step format. Because of this practical focus on equipping the believer in this skill, the book also includes both a Study Guide and a list of Resources for Discernment.

Why You Should Read This Book.  Dr. John MacArthur states that Challies’ book “should be required reading not only for church leaders, but for all sober-minded laypeople as well.”  That said, you should read this book for at least two reasons. First, there is a desperate need for discernment in the age in which we live. Paul warned the church in Ephesus that they were to “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:41, ESV). Yet we live in a day when most Christians are suffering from a lack of discernment. As Challies laments, “Proving that the church is suffering from a lack of discernment would be like proving that the sky is blue — it would be to prove something that is, unfortunately, obvious to anyone who cares to seek evidence of it.” Second, this book makes a rarely discussed but critically important subject accessible to the average reader.  This book is written — not for those with theological training –but ”for the general reader,” for “average Christians living in a culture and in a church where it so often seems that anything goes” (15). 

Take Home Point for the Day.  The Bible teaches that there is a clear relationship between spiritual discernment and spiritual maturity. For a Christian to be mature, he must also be discerning.  “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14, ESV) 

Welcome to Between Sundays!  My name is Scott Kaufman, and I am guest-blogging for Pastor Floyd while he and Jeana take some much deserved time for rest and relaxation. Each day this week I am reviewing a different book. The first four are books I believe will be great reads for you as you endeavor to grow in your walk with the Lord. The fifth and final review will be a careful and critical evaluation of The Shack, a book which has already sold well over a million copies even as its popularity continues to rise. You won’t want to miss it. Please join us!

Reviewed by Dr. Scott Kaufman, Director of Healthcare Ministries:

CULTURE SHIFT:
Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth

(R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah, ©2008, 176 pp., List price: $14.99)

Author. Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a recognized leader among American evangelicals. Time has called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”

Synopsis.  Congruous with his mission “to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview,” Dr. Mohler has written Culture Shift, a powerpacked little book that equips other Christians to do the same.  As one of the church’s foremost cultural commentators, Dr. Mohler is eminently qualified for such a task. Combining “theological acumen with spiritual discernment,” he applys the unchanging truths of Scripture to such diverse issues as the “culture of offendedness,” the Supreme Court on religion, terrorism, torture and the war on terror, public schooling, science and “the God gene,” American immaturity, truth, abortion, and natural disasters.  Readers are richly rewarded with tangible examples for understanding and discerning their world from a solidly biblical worldview.

Highlights. One of the many highlights of the book is Mohler’s argument that the Christian’s responsibility for engaging the culture is rooted in, and flows out of, his love for God.  According to the ”Great Commandment” (Matt. 22:36-4), our first priority is to love God with heart, soul, and mind.  Secondly, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  “The Christian life,” writes Mohler, ”is summarized in these two commands.  We must first understand our culture and its challenges because we are to be faithful followers of Christ and faithful witnesses to the gospel. We are called to faithfulness, and faithfulness requires that we be ready to think as Christians when confronted with the crucial issues of the day. This is all rooted in our love of God” (xiii).

Why You Should Read This Book. You should read this book because the culture in which you live is certainly one of the most complex and challenging in history.  Unfortunately, however, modern Christians too often seem to view, interpret, and respond to the world and its issues no differently than non-Christians do.  They have conformed their minds to a secular worldview rather than the biblical one.  But Paul tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”  (Romans 12:1, ESV).

Take Home Point for the Day. “In His sovereignty, our Creator has put us within this cultural context in order that we may display His glory by preaching the gospel, confronting persons with God’s truth, and serving as agents of salt and light in a dark and fallen world. In other words, love of God leads us to love our neighbor, and love of neighbor requires our participation in the culture and in the political process” (2). 

If we are to be faithful as Christians, we must train our minds to view God’s world through the lens of Scripture.

Reviewed by Dr. Scott Kaufman, Director of Healthcare Ministries:

 Living the Cross-Centered Life:
Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing

 (C. J. Mahaney. Foreword by Dr. R. Albert Mohler. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah, ©2006, 166 pp., List price: $12.99)

Author.  C. J. Mahaney is a noted pastor, speaker, and author who leads Sovereign Grace Ministries in its mission to establish and support local churches.

Synopsis.  Do you desire more passion for Jesus Christ?  Quite often the ‘busy-ness’ of life has a way of getting us off-track, distracting us from ‘the main thing.’  We end up confusing what we feel with what is real.  In a word, Living the Cross-Centered Life is about the importance of making — and keeping — the Cross of Christ ‘front and center’ in your life. We never ‘get beyond’ the Cross:  “Never lay it aside. Never move on,” writes Mahaney.  This book will stir up your passion with the deep and life-changing truths of Calvary.

Highlights.  Selecting “highlights” from this book is difficult.  Why?  Because the entire book is a highlight!  That said, let me focus on a chapter titled, “The Cross-Centered Day.”  Mahaney asks, “Do you want to live a Cross-centered life?  A Cross-centered life is made up of Cross-centered days.”  He then lists practical ways to stay focused daily on the Cross:

• Preach to Yourself. “Reminding ourselves of the Gospel is the most important daily habit we can establish. If the Gospel is the most vital news in the world, and if salvation by grace is the defining truth of our existence, we should create ways to immerse ourselves in these truths every day. No days off allowed” (132).
• Memorize the Gospel. Memorize those scriptures that remind us of the Gospel (2 Cor. 5:21; Romans 8:31-34; Isaiah 53:3-6).
• Pray the Gospel. Since the Gospel is the reason we can approach such a holy God, continue to pray the Gospel as a reminder of why you can speak to such an awesome God.
• Sing the Gospel. Find songs and CD’s whose focus in on the great and glorious Gospel and not on man; those songs that concentrate on what He has done for us.
• Review How the Gospel Has Changed You. Looking to your past, not for condemnation’s sake, but for the reminder of His mercy and grace.
• Study the Gospel. Don’t only study books on the Gospel or only on the New Testament, but study the Old Testament and see Christ’s fulfillment of It. Make sure that your studies don’t leave the Gospel behind but instead build upon It.

Why You Should Read This Book.  Probably no other book better communicates the centrality of the cross in the Christian life than does this one.  I’m convinced that whoever takes the time to read this book carefully and prayerfully, their life will be impacted powerfully by the truths contained therein.  This book is about ‘keeping the Main Thing the main thing.’  Can anything possibly be more important than that?  There are many books out there that are unworthy of your precious time — this book is NOT one of them! I believe it will richly repay anyone who takes the time to read and absorb its life-changing truths.

Take Home Point for the Day.  “If there’s anything in life we should be passionate about, it’s the Gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others; I mean passionate in thinking about the Gospel, reflecting upon it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world and all of life” (15).

The Spirit does not take His pupils beyond the Cross,
but ever more deeply into it.

J. Knox Chamblin

I’ve asked a friend of mine, Dr. Scott E. Kaufman, to choose four books he believes will be great reads for our people and to write a review on each of them for your encouragement. Afterward, Scott will critically evaluate a fifth book that has received much attention lately. I trust that you’ll be edified and encouraged by these five book reviews.

Scott serves as our Director of Healthcare Ministries at the Church at Pinnacle Hills. This cutting-edge ministry reaches people in the medical field and trains them to incorporate their faith with work. Scott holds a Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Nursing degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UAMS. This will be a unique opportunity to hear from a great minister and medical professional. — Ronnie Floyd

Today’s Book Review:

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism

(Mark E. Dever. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, ©2007, 124 pp., List price: $9.99)

Author. Dr. Mark E. Dever is the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and founder of 9Marks Ministries.

Synopsis. The Gospel & Personal Evangelism is a book that clearly and concisely addresses core issues in personal evangelism with a view toward helping Christians share their faith in Christ more confidently and faithfully. It is certainly one of the most helpful and encouraging books you’ll find on the subject. The chapter titles provide a good summary of what the book is about:

(1) Why Don’t We Evangelize?         (6) What Should We Do After We Evangelize?
(2) What Is the Gospel?                   (7) Why Should We Evangelize?
(3) Who Should Evangelize?            (8) Conclusion: Closing the Sale [we are not salesmen]
(4) How Should We Evangelize?      (9) Recommended Reading
(5) What Isn’t Evangelism?              (10) Appendix: A Word to Pastors

As Christians, we must work to develop a “culture of evangelism,” which Dever defines as “an expectation that Christians will share the gospel with others, talk about doing that, pray about it, and regularly plan and work together to help each other to evangelize. We want evangelism to be normal-in our own lives and in our churches” (p.17).

Highlights. This little book is concise, readable, and eminently practical. Early on, Dever tackles and disarms common hindrances and excuses that keep us from sharing our faith, such as fear of others, selfishness, apathy, etc. I appreciated the way that Dever draws from his own reservoir of experience, using vivid illustrations that include examples of both success and failure. Other strengths of the book include (1) its differentiation between evangelism and the fruits of evangelism, and (2) its clarification of what the gospel is and is not. When we share the good news of Christ, we must “set the story straight; we want to get the news right.” But not only must we clearly proclaim the essentials of the gospel, we must also do it conversationally: “Don’t tell people something; talk with them. Have a conversation.”

Why You Should Read This Book. The Gospel & Personal Evangelism is a gem for those who struggle with sharing their faith. The essential elements of motive, message, and method are all covered in an honest, engaging, and encouraging way. While there are many books available on this topic, this is one of the most balanced, practical, and complete you’ll find of similar length (just over 100 pages). Each chapter is short enough to make a good daily reading for personal edification or reading for a group study. All of these combine to make this book a useful tool for helping Christians who recognize the need to be more faithful in their task as personal witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Take Home Point for the Day. Personal evangelism is the inalienable responsibility of every Christian man and woman. “The call to evangelism is a call to turn our lives outward from focusing on ourselves and our needs to focusing on God and on others made in His image who are still at enmity with Him, alienated from Him, and in need of salvation from sin and guilt.”

Look for opportunities to share your faith today!