Flak About “The Shack”

For over a decade, one of the most popular books on the Christian market has been “The Shack.” This 2007 novel self-published by Canadian author Wm Paul Young went on to become a best seller. A movie based on the book came out two years ago. While many Christian leaders endorsed “The Shack”, some dismissed it as heresy. One reason is God the Father represented as a woman.

I haven’t read “The Shack” for other reasons. One of them is I never felt led to do so. Years ago as a young believer, I devoured many Christian books but have since focused more on reading the Bible. Nowadays, I rarely buy any books. I trust the Lord to provide what He wants me to read. Whenever someone offers to give or loan me a book, I often examine the cover, table of contents and any endorsements before deciding if it’s something to invest my time in.

So why this article about a 12-year-old book I haven’t even read? A few days ago, a Facebook friend shared a post that aroused my concerns. A prophetic ministry I respect is now selling “The Shack” on its website. That surprised me. I thought this ministry was more selective regarding the products they sell. The Facebook post also revealed Wm Paul Young wrote a book titled “Lies We Believe About God.” Reviewers have pointed out (with specific page references) it promotes universalism. 

As an evangelist, it grieves me to see professing Christians preach universal reconciliation and deny hell’s existence. So last Wednesday, I wrote a Facebook post (which I’ve since removed) warning my friends about Young’s beliefs but didn’t dismiss testimonies of those who said they got healed and grew closer to the Lord through “The Shack.” If God can use a donkey to minister to us, He can use just about anything. 

Still, some of my Facebook friends didn’t like my post. One of them accused me of slander. Bringing up a concern and disputing someone’s doctrine isn’t being slanderous. I didn’t label Young a false prophet or some other derogatory name.

Another Facebook friend said I was being hateful and it would be more “biblical” for me to address my concerns privately instead of using social media. I later noticed this man posted a meme on his page claiming “sexual orientation is not a choice.” That certainly isn’t a biblical statement. It would be similar to saying adultery and fornication aren’t choices.

A few friends suggested I read “The Shack” before making a judgment on it. That reminded me of the old saying: “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Then again, I don’t need to read the Koran or The Satanic Bible in its entirety to know they aren’t good books. One time a friend gave me the Book of Mormon thinking it could help me witness to Mormons more effectively. I started paging through the book until the Lord told me to throw it away.

If you choose to read “The Shack”, then do so prayerfully. On his own website, Wm Paul Young has called himself a “hopeful universalist.” My hope is he studies the Bible more and corrects his theology. I don’t want to see Young’s writings mislead undiscerning readers into eternal separation from God.

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” - James 3:1

Will Universalists Go to Heaven?

Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith let it be to you.” God’s promises of salvation, healing, and provision are available to everyone but don’t happen by default. One must be willing to receive those promises and then obey His instructions for them to manifest.

A concept isn’t true just because a group of people believe it. That certainly applies to the doctrine of universal reconciliation, which states everybody will spend eternity in heaven. It’s scary to think what the Lord will say to ministers who preached this false gospel when they stand before His throne. 

I do believe universalists who are born again but lack biblical knowledge will get into heaven. It wasn’t until a year into my faith walk when I received the revelation that Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). We are saved by faith in Christ, not because all our spiritual beliefs are 100% in line with Scripture.

However, mature Christians who suddenly become universalists cross a dangerous line when they start promoting their “gospel of inclusion” to where it discourages nonbelievers from getting right with God. 1 Timothy 4:1 tells us, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” In Matthew 15:14, Jesus refers to “...blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

Jesus also said in Mark 9:42, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” It reminds me of the time I witnessed to a woman who claimed there’s no such place as hell and even tried to use Bible verses to back up what she believed! As I walked away from this woman, I thought about the little boy that was with her. If he grows up believing there’s no hell and dies without knowing the Lord, both he and the woman could face eternal torment.

James 3:1 warns, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Universalists will have to give account for the lost souls who could have gotten saved had they heard the true gospel from them. I pray every professing Christian reading this who endorses universal reconciliation will repent before it’s too late.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” - Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

Universal Reconciliation

There are Christians so afraid of offending non-believers that they avoid talking about hell. Some of who are buying into the doctrine of Universal Reconciliation. This is a belief that everyone will have eternal life and even Satan will someday be reconciled to God. The latter concept should immediately raise red flags since Revelation 20:10 says the devil will be “…cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Verse 15 from the same chapter says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." These Scriptures make no room for parole for the condemned.

It’s true that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) But two chapters later, it says in verse 1, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”

Even some full gospel ministers have embraced Universal Reconciliation. A few years ago, Carlton Pearson (pictured above) began preaching a “Gospel of Inclusion” or “universal salvation.” Bishop Pearson, who had attended Oral Roberts University, formally declared belief in this doctrine at his New Dimensions Church, which later merged into one of the largest Unitarian Universalist congregations in the world. The Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops officially declared him a heretic.

The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) but He’s also a God of judgment. We cannot sugarcoat the truth of Scripture for fear of offending others. I pray that ministers like Carlton Pearson will awaken from this deception and boldly preach the truth about hell…as well as heaven.

“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” - Romans 11:22