Taking the Roof Off ‘The Shack’ – by mark witte

Open PDF file:  Part 2:  Does ‘The Shack’ Promote Universalism?

I have only released Part 2 of this review. Other parts are still in progress. If you have not read The Shack I recommend Tim Challies review as an introduction.

The planned outline for ‘Taking the Roof Off The Shack‘ is as follows: 

Part 1  A biographical sketch on William P. Young and some background on his writing of The Shack.
Part 2  The Shack and ‘Christian’ Universalism. (To some this may be obscure in the book but theologically is perhaps the most serious error since it promotes a different Gospel.)  
Part 3  More Lessons from The Shack. (A look at more obvious errors that undermine a variety of biblical doctrines.)  
Part 4  Reestablishing a Biblical Foundation.

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In Part 2 of ‘Taking the Roof Off The Shack‘ we compare Paul Young’s teaching to doctrinal statements from The Christian Universalist Association.

In the end, this biblical analysis argues that:  
     A) Christian Universalism promotes a false gospel.
     B) Christian Universalism is promoted in The Shack.
     C) The Shack promotes a false gospel.

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul says this:

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  9  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  Gal 1:8-9 NASB 

Many Christians have enjoyed the book and see little or no problem with it. Others have been harshly critical. While I do disagree with some crucial elements of Paul Young’s theology, I also do my best to be charitable and fair. With that said, the argument I put forward is serious; that The Shack contains the false gospel of Christian Universalism. For those inclined to defend the book, I appeal to our higher calling to defend the gospel. When we are doing the first, we are not doing the second. 

Obedience and Freedom

 

Open PDF file:  Obedience and Freedom — Hope for the Try-Harder Christian

‘Obedience and Freedom’ was written in 1999. I was discovering God’s grace after years of frustration in my Christian life. This article was my attempt to document what I learned and offer hope to other try-harder Christians.

Both law and grace are gifts from God for our good. Some who herald the message of grace are inclined to view God’s “rules” as obstacles to a grace-based relationship. Certainly focusing on the rules can become oppressive or foster legalism, but in celebrating God’s grace we cannot dismiss our responsibility to honor God through our actions. God gave us ”rules” to keep us from harming ourselves and others. In this article I suggest how the Christian can both live according to God’s rules and experience freedom in God’s grace. 

   As Christians we are called to avoid sin and obey God’s commandments. The Bible tells us God is pleased when we do good: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). But what about when we fail? Do you feel that God is shaking his head in disapproval at your behavior? Do you make commitments to be self-disciplined and obedient to God, only to find that you can’t measure up — even to your own standards? Do you try harder? Have you given up? Do you ask yourself, “Where is the joy and peace I am supposed to experience?”
   Several years ago I went through a period in my Christian life when I wrestled with these feelings. For so long I had… [continue reading]

Fact and Feeling According to Bright and Bell

Bill Bright and Rob Bell essentially agree on their definitions of Fact and Feeling.
But on the role of Fact and Feeling, they differ dramatically.  

Bill Bright: 

Fact = God and His Word
Feeling = the result of our faith and obedience

 

The promise of God’s Word, the Bible—not our feelings—is our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship among fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience).
The train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be useless to attempt to pull the train by the caboose. In the same way, as Christians we do not depend on feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word. 
— Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ

Rob Bell:

  
Feeling = our experience of jumping; living “the way”
Fact = “the doctrines of the Christian faith”; “springs”

 

This is where the springs on the trampoline come in. When we jump, we begin to see the need for springs. The springs help make sense of the deeper realities that drive how we live every day. The springs aren’t God. The springs aren’t Jesus. The springs are statements and beliefs about our faith that help give words to the depth that we are experiencing in our jumping. I would call these springs the doctrines of the Christian faith. They aren’t the point.
You don’t have to know anything about the springs to pursue living “the way”.
— Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, p.22, 34