Heresies in The Shack

Heresies in The Shack – The Shack a book by William Paul Young turned into a movie. It is loaded with heretical doctrines that goes against the Word of God. #TheShack

Heresies in the Shack

I will say I have never read the book or saw the movie. I don’t plan on doing that either. I knew the false doctrines presented in this book. The book now has carried over into a movie. Yes, I know Hollywood doesn’t like to make Christian movies … “Christian”. But, I do think it is worthy of pointing out some things so it doesn’t give people a false sense of hope or gives people a false since of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

I will also mind you that LifeWay pulled the book from it’s stores because of the heretical views in the book. You can even see what the Baptist Reflector said in the below quote.

“We stopped carrying ‘The Shack’ a few years ago,” LifeWay Director of Communications Carol Pipes emailed BP, “because although it is a work of fiction, the theology presented as integral to the story clearly conflicts with the Bible on many issues, especially in regards to the character and nature of The Trinity.”

The Shack vs The Bible? vs WWUTT

You will have to listen to this video by WWUTT. This video is only one minute and thirty-one minutes in length. WWUTT stands for When We Understand The Text. Below are the highlights that WWUTT wants you to know about this movie.

In the Shack the man goes and meets a woman who is God and also the Holy Spirit also a woman. The Shack is fiction. William P. Young quotes, “The Shack is theology. But it is a theology wrapped in a story.” These theology doctrines are what Young believes.

The Shack Says: God the Father suffered on the cross with His Son Jesus (pg. 96), a heresy called patripassianism that was condemned by Tertullian in the 3rd Century.
The Bible Says: “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him; He has put Him to grief.” Isaiah 53:10
“Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

The Shack Says: Jesus is the best way to be in a relationship with God. (pg 110).
The Bible Says: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The Shack Says: God submits to us (pg. 145)
The Bible Says: “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Psalm 2:4
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourself therefore to God.” James 4:6-7

The Shack Says: God does not expect anything of us. (pg. 206)
The Bible Says: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on Him.” John 3:36

The Shack Says: Everyone is a child of God (pg. 118) and God has forgiven the sins of every person (Pg. 225)
The Bible Says: Those who are in Christ are the the children of the promise. Galatians 4:28
Those who re not are the children of wrath. Ephesians 2:3
and their father is not God but the devil. John 8:44

Thirteen Heresies in the Shack

I am not sure who wrote this or made this graphic, but it points out thirteen heresies in The Shack. If anyone knows who created this graphic, let me know so I can give proper credit. Some of these points were mentioned in the above video by WWUTT.

Thirteen Heresies in the Shack #TheShack
  1. God the father was crucified with Jesus.
  2. God is limited by His love and therefore cannot practice justice.
  3. God forgave all of humanity whether they repent or not.
  4. All hierarchical structures are evil.
  5. God will never judge people for their sins.
  6. The Godhead has no hierarchical structure, just a circle of unity.
  7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
  8. Justice will never take place because of love.
  9. There is no such thing as eternal judgement or torment in hell.
  10. It doesn’t matter which way you get to God, Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys.
  11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
  12. Everyone will make it to heaven.
  13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.

The Baptist Reflector & The Shack

The Baptist Reflector even wrote an article on The Shack too. The even said in the article.

“We need to be clear. This depiction of God, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit, of the Gospel is profoundly unbiblical,” Mohler told Baptist Press. “The Bible warns against any false depiction of God and calls it idolatry. Making that into a compelling story just compounds the theological danger, and when all of this is added to the creative storytelling power of Hollywood, it also becomes very seductive.”

Controversial & The Shack

Even Franklin Graham warns not to watch this dangerous movies too. Like many Christians they boycotting and spreading the Word about the damages this Book and Movie can cause to the believer. The Shack movie since it has come out has been controversial. There are many that are giving the warnings about this movie.

I did come across a Christian Blogger who has a different view on The Shack than what most of us are saying. I wanted to share that with you and you can check out what she says in her blog post.  This is what Crystal Olmos writes in her blog post entitled My Response To Christians Who Are Boycotting The Shack Film

Please please realize friend, The Shack IS NOT the Bible. This film IS NOT the Bible. BUT it has so many Biblical truths that show who my Jesus is and how our God is a GOOD God despite every tragedy we face in this life. And while we are on the subject, I found nothing said or done in the film that did not line up with God’s word. This is a wonderful film that I, along with most of the audience, cried through as the presence and love of God filled the theater.

I am sure if we dig around, we will find a lot of people split on the pointing out doctrines flaws or lack of in the film The Shack. She does mention she didn’t see anything that didn’t line up with the Word of God? So I wonder if she or others who agree on her stance, saw these Heresies in The Shack? I do like how she points out that the Shack IS NOT the Bible. She is very correct in saying that. Plus she added the film IS NOT the bible either. She does say she say the Love of Christ in the movie.

I think the Love of Christ is what all people know of Jesus. I wonder if they know there is a wrath side too. Those who do not put their trust in Christ and those who do not repent. Sin must be dealt with. We will answer for our sins. Everyone will! Every knee will bow and every tongue confuse. Not everyone will go to Heaven! God will separate the Goats and the Sheep.

Again, I will not be seeing this movie. I do not believe any Christian should see this movie with the false doctrines throughout the film.

Heresies in The Shack. #TheShack Click To Tweet

Added after publishing …

check out what AIG (Answers in Genesis) says

IF THE GOD FOUND IN THE SHACK IS THE ONE PEOPLE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW, I FEAR THEY FACE GRAVE ETERNAL DANGER.

AIG (Answers in Genesis)

About the Author

Author: Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

Feel free to share your comment! Thank you!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.