Why look to fables as our example for life?
As of recent, it has been brought to my attention of a book called “The Shack” by William Young. Being on the world’s bestseller list; that itself should send up red flags for any confessing believer in Christ. For the Lord said in John 15:18-25
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
First of all, to be a so-called christian allegorical novel and for it to be so loved(hence, the bestseller list) and recommended by this world and the media, flies in the face of what Christ said, that we would be hated. If we name the name of Christ, but the world loves who we are and the same things we admire, we need to examine ourselves to see if we are really being conformed to His image or are we be conformed to this world(this age Romans chap12) Secondly, why would a christian want to read fables, specifically ones that blaspheme our God; which this book does do by making God into corruptible man like us?
Rom 1:19-23 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
We have the perfect God, and we bring him down to man’s level to be like us and make him into our own image. It is abominable and idolatry( Exodus 20:4-5)
The apostle Paul answers why those who will claim to know God, read and listen to this type of literature or media in 2Timothy 4:1-4
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
If we were to heed the word of God as in Phlippians 4:8 , we wouldn’t have the itch to desire fables, and false teachings…
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
As in Romans chap 1(see above), God has given the world all the things in creation to reveal who he is. We do not need to add to his revelation.
These are a few comments I have heard about this book:
-Read it, share it, and live it.
-rare and life-changing
-wonderful book
-by far the best book I have ever read in my life
-a powerful book that God is using in my life and many others to wake us up to who He is
-This book has changed my life and my way of thinking of what kind of God we really have
-It made a huge positive impact on my image of God
-Nonetheless, despite some strong reservations about the book’s theology, this fictional encounter with “God” made it all worthwhile!
-This book made me laugh,cry and feel very loved.
If this book is just an allegory or a novel, why would most comments and “good” reviews I am reading, say that it has changed their life? But when it doesn’t line up with the God of the bible, I have had it said to me that it is just an allegory and novel. Christians that are reading and living by this book are being deceived. They say that it is just a story, but then want to use it in their lives. When we make an image of a false god to our liking and bow down our hearts to it, we have committed idolatry, which is spiritual adultery.
Brethren,
Seeing that Christ is the cornerstone and the teaching(which is the gospel of Christ) of the apostles and prophets is the foundation of the household of God(Eph 2:19-22), then this “shack” book, by the definition below, is not of God. The second definition below is a verb; do we really want to feed on stubble, where there is no nourishment?
SHACK, 1.n. small flimsy building: a small crude building typically made of boards or sheets of material, usually without a foundation 2.v.To feed in stubble, or upon the waste corn of the field. [Local.]
Let’s us feed at the table of the Lord instead…
1Jn 5:20-21 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
