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TechnoratiDespite the positive impact, which Young said he believes is “for good and God,” critics of the book say there is too much “bad” that cannot be ignored.
“Much of what Young writes is good and even helpful (again, assuming that the reader can see past the human personifications of God),” wrote influential blogger Tim Challies in a downloadable 17-page review/guide on The Shack that compares the novel’s assertions to Scripture.
“But the book also raised several concerns,” he continued before addressing the issues of the Trinity, submission, free will, forgiveness, scripture and revelation, and salvation.
In his conclusion, Challies said it was clear to him that The Shack is a mix of good and bad.
“Sadly, though, there is much bad mixed in with the good,” he added.
Young, however, argues that support from the theological community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Al [Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.] tried to get the book banned but was unsuccessful because the theologians of his denomination (the Southern Baptist Convention) ‘could find nothing unorthodox in The Shack that would warrant it being removed or banned,’" Young claimed last Wednesday. SBTS, however, told The Christian Post that Mohler had not at any point asked an organization to restrict the sale of the title in any way, including LifeWay Christian Stores, which pulled the book from shelves for a brief two-week review of its theology.
“These men do not know me at all,” Young said of critics, which also includes Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, who Young said had not even read the book before criticizing it.
“[B]ut in the process,” he continued, “what they have written have actually told us much more about them than about the book.”
Therefore, despite whatever controversies there are surrounding the book, Young said there is nothing in the book that he would wish to have changed.
“Nope...would not change anything,” he said. “It is not a perfect book – I know because I wrote it – but it is the gift I wanted to give my children.
“I don't feel that I stirred up the controversy any more than I feel like I am the reason for the success of the book. I believe that both are activity of an affectionate God who has an incredible sense of humor,” Young said.
Over one million copies of The Shack have been sold since it was published in May 2007. It has maintained its status as the No. 1 Paperback trade fiction seller on the New York Times best sellers list since June 2008.
According to Young, the title of the book "is a metaphor for the places you get stuck, you get hurt, you get damaged...the thing where shame or hurt is centered."
Correction: Wednesday, October 29, 2008:
An article on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, about a live public chat between book lovers and William Paul Young, author of The Shack, included a statement by Young claiming that Dr. R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., had tried to get the book banned. According to Matt Hall, director of communications to Dr. Mohler, the seminary president at no point asked any other organization to restrict the sale of the title in any way.
johnasawyer »
Agree: 
Disagree: 
