What’s the big brouhaha over The Shack? If you like sappy heart-and-gut-wrenching movies and don’t mind compromising or suspending theology, you will probably go to see it and gush about how wonderful and life-changing it is, or how it confirms everything you know about God. I read the book—not impressed by it as a novel and certainly not as a depiction of the God of the Bible—and don’t plan on spending the price of a ticket to see it. But that’s my opinion, to which you need not agree. I’m okay with that and have no compulsion to detail all of the reasons why The Shack is thoroughly laced with heresy. There are enough sites you can access that do a good job of that.
Not too long ago I viewed Risen, a film having religious content, and also did not pay the price of ticket to see it, but I did watch it on television. I also watched the highly controversial DaVinci Code on television. I’m just not a big movie goer for any film. My take on religious movies is that they are, with some few exceptions, “cheesy” as some would say, not well made even with the resources of big movie companies. It’s my opinion, and I am not compelled to foist that opinion on somebody else.
It was really easy to note the inaccuracies, theories, and myths in DaVinci Code, but at least the film was honest in that it presented them as such. Risen has some inaccuracies and fictionalizing of true events, but I found the story compelling and actually enjoyable. The inaccuracies were not theological.
The difference for me is that Risen does not focus on the character and nature of God as does The Shack, but rather on the veracity of belief in the Resurrection with the underlying apologetic that it actually did happen. No subtlety there. Because of the strong emotional context of the story line of The Shack—a parent’s worst nightmare, the theological underpinnings are subtle, but let’s not kid ourselves, they are there—not only unbiblical, but anti-biblical. Blatant heresy is easy to dismiss, but subtle ones snag people on a subliminal level. Oh, yes, I do believe that theology matters. I am convinced that studying to show “. . . thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15)” applies to everyone, not only scholars, and it makes a difference in everyday living.
I am very curious—and dare say amused, appalled, and even confounded all at the same time—by the influence of films on emotions and beliefs. As I read comments from people who have seen The Shack, every one of them primarily focuses on emotional responses including recommendations to bring tissues. On top of that, I read statements where individuals with full knowledge say they are willing to suspend their theology for the sake of a good story of forgiveness and the depiction of the Trinity in human form and terms. WOW!
Yes, God is love and forgives, and yes, we, because we are created in His image, we should forgive even in the worst of circumstances. And yes, He gives us grace and mercy for our transgressions and to forgive others. It’s not hard to find agreement there.
God is also just. Ultimate universalism is heresy and creating God in the image of man—well, read the second commandment on that. I’m reminded of Plato’s allegory of the cave where the former prisoner who has seen reality outside of the cave goes back to the other prisoners to tell them about it. When he does so, the prisoners gang up and clobber him. “’Nuf said,” as the saying goes.
The power of visual media cannot be understated when people are willing to suspend their beliefs and understanding about God for the sake of a good cry. I’m also concerned that media has such a high level of influence on the thinking of viewers when it comes to worldview and heavenview (I just made up this term) to the degree that Scripture takes second place. Are we so mesmerized by the sensual nature of film—the sights and sounds—that we allow ourselves to compromise what we know about God from His Word and give it full approval? I leave that for you to ponder—no arguments, no condemnation. I answer to my convictions and you to yours. I do, however, appreciate the reviews that at least acknowledge that The Shack does have theological issues so that those to whom it matters can find out for themselves.
Copyright 2017 by Eva S. Benevento. All rights reserved.