BOOKS: The Shack by William B. Young

  • Thread starter Thread starter deeder33
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
peggytas said:
This thread has references to Catholics, including the posters, entering into weeks long study programs using this book as guidance. This book is not worthy of Catholic study. Seems that you agree with me.
Click to expand...
I haven’t read the thread or posts about any of the studies of this book. But I would hope when people do that kind of thing they also point out all the reasons this is not agreeable with Catholic doctrine and then take the opportunity to show what is good and valuable and the correct way.

I still don’t think this book is as harmful as some of the posts I have read. I feel we should make sure we know what our Church teaches to set some guidelines for the times we read or see or are told anything about Christian beliefs that are in conflict with our Chruch teachings.
So everybody start a book club with books by Scott Hahn, Michael Cumbie, Tim Staples, Fr. Pacaw, Steven Ray, or any of the other many wonderful authors and apologists and faithful! I did just that!
 
I just came across this thread today.
All I can say is that at my office we have a variety of denominations,( we are very respectful of each other’s believes/foibles and frequently engage in religiuos discussions) When the book came out, we all read it and all except 1( who got us to read it in the first place) fell it was a “feel good” new-age propaganda NOT in agreement with any Christian (Catholic/Protestant) denominations.
I am talking Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals and several “non-denominational” Bible Church members.
I would not reccomend it to anyone!
 
dande(name removed by moderator)mie said:
I just came across this thread today.
All I can say is that at my office we have a variety of denominations,( we are very respectful of each other’s believes/foibles and frequently engage in religiuos discussions) When the book came out, we all read it and all except 1( who got us to read it in the first place) fell it was a “feel good” new-age propaganda NOT in agreement with any Christian (Catholic/Protestant) denominations.
I am talking Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals and several “non-denominational” Bible Church members.
I would not reccomend it to anyone!
Click to expand...
I’m with you, plus it’s poorly written.
 
I’ve heard both negative and positive comments about this book. I wanted to know what some catholics think about this book. I was kind of thinking that I should read it myself before criticizing others who are singing it’s praise, but at the same time I don’t want to waste my time if it is really a bunch of nonsense.
 
I found it shallow however others I know loved it. It is a short story. What do you want to know about it?
 
Do not waste your time reading that book. There were so many red flags in that book. In fact the Author is part of the New Emergent Church. It’s a highly emotional book yes, but so many things against the catholic church’s teaching.

Please take a moment to look at these two sites:
catholicmediareview.blogspot.com/2008/07/book-review-shack.html
This will explain the red flags I found in the book that didn’t seem right.

crossroad.to/Quotes/spirituality/lighthousetrails/09/3-shack-atonement.htm
This in an interview with the author.

After investigating more I also had bought this other book called" So you don’t want to go church anymore" that book is also by an author who is part of this New Emergent church. So believe it or not I threw both of them away. I don’t want to keep stuff like that. They are to start making a movie on The Shack. I was surprised. So I hope these two links cleared up anything you were wondering.

May God Bless you Abundantly:highprayer:
 
Texas_Roofer said:
I found it shallow however others I know loved it. It is a short story. What do you want to know about it?
Click to expand...
I found it kind of shallow as well, and leaning towards New Age-y theology. You don’t need Church, just be spiritual and God will love you, warm fuzzy stuff. I can see why people like it though, it’s a theology that makes no demands on you.
 
mkingdomlvr said:
I found it kind of shallow as well, and leaning towards New Age-y theology. You don’t need Church, just be spiritual and God will love you, warm fuzzy stuff. I can see why people like it though, it’s a theology that makes no demands on you.
Click to expand...
Exactly, it is new age stuff.
 
I am 3/4 quarters the way through this book, but stopped to see what the Catholic Answers site said about it because I found that there were too many things that are against Church teaching. I suspect that the person who suggested that I read it, thought it would help me since I have unfortunately lost a child, as the protagonist in this story has (but not at all in the same way), and so I can relate to his questions and pain. However, there were way more disturbing things in it, that I regret buying it.

In my view, the book challenges the idea of authority (especially church authority) and even goes so far as to equate “making laws” as “judging others”. While the story is interesting and at times quite heartwarming, it contains a lot of theological errors that I believe makes this book all the more dangerous – especially for those who are still trying to figure out what voice to listen to in this crazy world we live in. That is why I stick close to the Church. I would not recommend reading this book.
 
Those were my thoughts when I read it a year ago. Numerous warning signs went off in my head. It was very agnostic, quite new age, and almost seemed to look down upon the ancient rituals of the Church. 😦

Also, as someone who is trying to become a published novelist herself, his writing was … less than satisfactory. His sentence structure made me dizzy.
 
I read this book, with a few chapters remaining unread. I couldn’t find myself to finishing. I am penetocostal, but looking into the catholic faith. I say that because the church I had left of 11yrs loved this book so much that they started studies out of it at the church. It was one of the many reasons I left. I am not sure how someone can draw truth from this book. The reason many love it from my understanding (from my ex-leadership’s point of view) is it gives those that have no faith a chance to question someone with faith. That it brings alot of healing through the eyes of someone very discouraged with a shaken faith that brought on a lack of trust in the Lord. That it shows God more loving and accepting to all. I was told yes it can be decietful, but its better than someone not receiving anything about God. I was told its to make you feel better about christianity rather than it being so harsh and judgemental. I do not agree with those that embrace this book. I did not agree with the part that says God submits to us, and when the main guy questioned God listening to music with such anger and hate God’s reply was the artist has every right to spout off that anger. I did not agree with minimizing sin. It’s basically a feel good message. And, for me; if I am that discouraged and walking with a shaken faith, the only way is through Christ. Where is our faith in HIM and His word. I don’t understand all the alternative ways to receive healing, mercy, forgiveness and so on; rather than through our Lord and savior. But it is written the elite would be deceived and many will follow. I have to say, I am finding more reverence within the catholic church, and that is beautiful!!

I would also like to say there are alot of hurting christians and they have just lost focus and it’s sad. Also, when I investigated this author I found he didn’t have a religion, that he did not go to church at all. He was raised in a missionary family that lived all over and was abused by one of the people his parents ministered to. I read he himself had no trust in the church but wanted his children to have something, so he came up with this book to give them some sort of hope and faith. I didn’t find him related to a new age church, however, the names he uses in the book are all linked to hinduism/new age culture names. Hope that helps! -Blessings!
 
lmc1 said:
I am finding more reverence within the catholic church, and that is beautiful!!

I would also like to say there are alot of hurting christians and they have just lost focus and it’s sad. Also, when I investigated this author I found he didn’t have a religion, that he did not go to church at all. He was raised in a missionary family that lived all over and was abused by one of the people his parents ministered to. I read he himself had no trust in the church but wanted his children to have something, so he came up with this book to give them some sort of hope and faith. I didn’t find him related to a new age church, however, the names he uses in the book are all linked to hinduism/new age culture names. Hope that helps! -Blessings!
Click to expand...
Welcome, lmc1 waves 🙂 I’m glad you found us here and that you’re looking into the Catholic Church! 👍 I have never felt so at home as I do in the Church and I’m at home all over the world because of her. Make yourself at home here! 🙂
 
Disciple96 said:
Welcome, lmc1 waves 🙂 I’m glad you found us here and that you’re looking into the Catholic Church! 👍 I have never felt so at home as I do in the Church and I’m at home all over the world because of her. Make yourself at home here! 🙂
Click to expand...
THANK YOU!! 🙂 It is a slow walk in. I’m taking one day at a time. I like to research and know why I believe what I do. I appreciate your warm welcome!
 
Thanks everyone for the answers. I usually try to avoid the computer on weekends. My oh my how many opinions there are about this book. I am not going to waste my time with it. Instead I will say a rosary. Our blessed mother must be in pain that the church is so misunderstood. One of my dear friends, another catholic, is giving this book to his sister who is getting chemotherapy. He just raves about it. I am going to have to try to address the heresies and shepherd him back to the flock.
 
lmc1 said:
THANK YOU!! 🙂 It is a slow walk in. I’m taking one day at a time. I like to research and know why I believe what I do. I appreciate your warm welcome!
Click to expand...
Take your time. There’s a lot to learn, study, pray about and meditate on. Whatever your Protestant background, you’ll probably find, as I did, that you won’t have to jettison everything you learned. Adjust it, undoubtedly, but jettison it, no. May God richly bless your journey and bring you safely home…to the Catholic Church! 🙂
 
lmc1 said:
THANK YOU!! 🙂 It is a slow walk in. I’m taking one day at a time. I like to research and know why I believe what I do. I appreciate your warm welcome!
Click to expand...
Welcome, IMC~ One day at a time…:gopray2: and LOTs of prayer.

As soon as I saw that you are a Pentecostal who is searching, I immediately thought of Alex Jones. I had the privilege of hearing his journey from Pentecostal preacher to Catholicism a few years ago. He was so convinced about the Truth of Catholicism that he actually brought about half of his congregation with him when he converted!

His story is told on YouTube (in Part1 of 5 Parts) here: youtube.com/watch?v=8MvfAJ7ap8s He will make you laugh and cry, so have a tissue ready! (Each Part is about 9 minutes – see them ALL! :D)

You may also like to see the gentle conversion story of this young lady on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=G5fB26ogF3I&annotation_id=annotation_110260&feature=iv It’s not flashy, but it’s heart-felt.

I hope these will help you on your journey!

God Bless,

ATL Granny
 
The teachings conveyed by the book “The Shack” are not only anti-Catholic, they are also anti-Christian and anti-biblical.
I think it is easier to spread false doctrine when you use emotion and strong feelings and this is how people get hooked. More errors are spread by novels than you may think . Think about Dan Brown’s “Angels and Demons” and “Da Vinci Code”.
The problem with being told not to read a book is that this is usually the best publicity and many will buy it and read it just because …
The errors are insidious and wrapped up solidly in deep feelings, for instance “everybody goes to heaven”. It may be what we want for everybody, especially our family and friends. But it is not what Jesus said. So, feelings or no feelings, we have to believe Jesus.
The Emergent church, the new-Agers and many Christians (Catholic and Protestant) are now teaching that God is too loving to send someone to hell. So a book like this just re-enforces these new teachings and gives people who are not grounded in their faith a false sense of security. I will not spend any time studying it, but I could see why some people would, even if it is only to learn rebuttals to the false teachings.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turnes into fables.”
2 Timothy 4 : 3-4
 
JosieElaine said:
The teachings conveyed by the book “The Shack” are not only anti-Catholic, they are also anti-Christian and anti-biblical.
I think it is easier to spread false doctrine when you use emotion and strong feelings and this is how people get hooked. More errors are spread by novels than you may think . Think about Dan Brown’s “Angels and Demons” and “Da Vinci Code”.
The problem with being told not to read a book is that this is usually the best publicity and many will buy it and read it just because …
The errors are insidious and wrapped up solidly in deep feelings, for instance “everybody goes to heaven”. It may be what we want for everybody, especially our family and friends. But it is not what Jesus said. So, feelings or no feelings, we have to believe Jesus.
The Emergent church, the new-Agers and many Christians (Catholic and Protestant) are now teaching that God is too loving to send someone to hell. So a book like this just re-enforces these new teachings and gives people who are not grounded in their faith a false sense of security. I will not spend any time studying it, but I could see why some people would, even if it is only to learn rebuttals to the false teachings.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turnes into fables.”
2 Timothy 4 : 3-4
Click to expand...
This is great advice. It couldn’t have been said better:thumbsup:

God Bless
 
Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents here! I tried to read The Shack, got about halfway through to the part where the Trinity emerges as a loving black woman, a sprite, and a carpenter and put on the brakes! I am all for a personal relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit but this just goes too far! When we take away the Divinity of our dear Lord and Savior we are doing a grave injustice, might i even say heresy?! To make the Trinity so ordinary seems to be the emerging way of many popular Christian groups now (of which there are 30,000 and counting), but this is NOT Biblical. They promote “relationship not religion”. Show me that in the Bible. The way I see it, the easier the devil can make it to walk away from the Sacraments and the Christ of the one True Church, the easier it becomes to ensare us in his ways. We must be ever vigilant, and not be afraid to point out these mistakes to our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top