The Salty Peanut Gallery

Holding down the number one spot after 33 straight weeks on the New York Times best-sellers list for Paperback Trade Fiction, The Shack is still selling like hot cakes despite a decline in overall book sales. Even amidst the controversy over its numerous errors in orthodox theology, people just can’t seem to get enough. Why are so many people drawn to this story? For many The Shack is a poignant story that touches a chord on a very personal level. We identify with the grief and the heartache and are left feeling encouraged by redemption in the face of tragedy. But do our heartstrings really provide a reliable source for discernment?

Author William Paul Young writes a story about a man who receives a note from God, inviting him back to the abandoned shack where his daughter had been brutally murdered. There he meets with three figures who represent the Trinity: a large African American woman named Papa, a Jewish workman named Jesus, and an Asian woman named Sarayu who is the Holy Spirit. The majority of the story centers on conversations between the grieving father and the Trinity as they help him cope with his loss.

The book has received a number of prominent endorsements. Singer and songwriter Michael W. Smith says “The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God.” Wynonna Judd says, “The story has blown the door wide open to my soul… It reminds me that though I ask, ‘Why?’, I know who is in control.” Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, says it “has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress did for his.” Even Internet Monk, Michael Spencer, normally a pretty levelheaded guy, admits, “When Mack opens the door to the shack and sees the Father, I wept.”

On the other side of the fence there are those who consider The Shack, which is promoted as Christian fiction, to be even more harmful than say The Da Vinci Code, which clearly is not. Dr. Albert Mohler says, “This book includes undiluted heresy.” Influential blogger Tim Challies writes, “Much of what Young writes is good and even helpful (again, assuming that the reader can see past the human personifications of God). Sadly, though, there is much bad mixed in with the good.”

Some of the theological issues include inaccuracies in the nature of God, the hierarchy of the Trinity, the righteousness of God and the doctrine of salvation. In addition there seems to be an underlying intent to undermine orthodox Christianity. Not surprisingly, Young reportedly is not a member of any church and is reluctant to be labeled a Christian.

Some may say, “Well let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. It’s just a story, not a book of theology.” But is it? Even an allegory such as The Pilgrim’s Progress has its basis in sound Bible doctrine. At what point does the bathwater become so murky that we lose sight of the baby?

I like what Canadian pastor/blogger, Alan Harstone has to say:

“If most readers acknowledge that Mr. Young has skewed the biblical revelation of the person-hood of God, then why are we promoting it at our conferences, churches, and bookstores? Is it because we believe that we can discern the difference between good and evil, truth and deception, so we should feel free to cull the book for “its blessings” while ignoring its obvious mistakes?

It couldn’t be more clear to me – I should shun this book, not embrace it.”

It’s all a matter of discernment. Isn’t it amazing how gullible we Christians can be? We’ll fall for any fad that comes down the pike without so much as an ounce of discernment for no other reason then everybody else is doing it. We’re like a bunch of little children, “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” – Ephesians 4:14. So then, how do we become more discerning? By embracing “truth” Paul says, “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” – Ephesians 4:15.

Don’t you think it’s high time we grow up?

Update: And speaking of stupid things, it’s always a good idea to double check your facts before posting. My original post had a picture of Geoff Surratt’s brother, Greg, who is the real founding pastor of Seacoast Church. Geoff is actually the Pastor of Ministries. Sorry about the mix up Geoff.

Well, we got us another church growth book, written by a highly successful pastor with megachurch streetcred, sure to turn your congregation around in no time. Geoff Surratt is a pastor of Seacoast Church, a multi-sight church of about 10,000 located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Brother Surratt shares his insights in his latest book Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing. Here’s the description from the back cover of the book:

Based on interviews with pastors of growing churches, as well as personal experience, this book identifies the most common mistakes pastors make that keep otherwise healthy churches from reaping the harvest God has prepared. Each chapter spotlights a common mistake, gives real-life examples, uses a generous dose of humor, and provides a practical course of action to recover from the error.

Church leaders will be encouraged to realize that they are not the only ones who struggle, and that turning their situation around may not be as daunting a task as they think. This is a field guide for the common pastor based on actual churches of all sizes.

Not having read the book I’ll not attempt to comment on its content. I’m sure it’s everything it’s purported to be and more. But it did get me to thinking. You know, I’ve been in the ministry a few years myself. I can think of more than a couple of stupid things my church and others in my community have done that have negatively impacted our effectiveness for the Kingdom. (By the way, I include myself in the stupidity.) Oh, I may not have the kind of megachurch credibility that would cause anyone to sit up and take notice, but let’s face it; you don’t have to be the brightest and the best to know stupidity when you see it. So here’s my list (in no particular order) of Ten Stupid Things That Churches Do To Quench The Spirit of God:

1. Being program driven rather than Spirit lead.

2. Being overly fad conscious.

3. Thinking ourselves more highly than we ought to.

4. Sacrificing unity for expedience.

5. Serving the Lord through selfish ambition.

6. Looking out for our own personal interests.

7. Legislating spirituality through rigid authoritarianism.

8. Substituting flashy programming for true, heartfelt worship.

9. Failing to fully recognize the necessity of prayer.

10. Playing it safe when God’s will is too costly.

Update: By the way, for those of you keeping score at home, this is my 100th blog post! Yippy!