Some things never go away, even though you expect them to. And even if they should fade away, sometimes they hang on relentlessly, defying all odds and reasonable expectations. Such is the case with The Shack.
Glowing reviews continue to pour in, with some even calling it the Pilgrim’s Progress of our day. Given the high praise and sheer volume of its accolades, it seems that some feel an almost personal attack when any criticism of the book surfaces. Arguments against critique vary, but the surprise and insult seem consistent.
The experiential argument says, “The Shack changed my view of God. How dare you challenge that?” The pragmatic argument says, “The Shack has swept America. From obscure roots to bestseller, how could something so received, powerful, and successful be bad?” The post-modern argument says, “There you go with doctrine again. This is just fiction and besides, what you believe might be fine for you, but what I believe is just as right. Who are you to judge?”
The biblical view needs to enter at some point. I’m sure most people who read this want to think of themselves as or to be called a mature believer (and if you don’t, you should). So I’m hopeful everyone who reads the two following reviews will rally to and not against a call for discernment. Hebrews 5:14 says the mature, those fit for solid food, have a discernment that comes from the training of constant practice in telling the difference between good and evil.
With those thoughts in mind, here are two of the best critical reviews I’ve read on The Shack.