The Shack: A Re-visit

I recently rewatched the movie, The Shack. Ironically days later, I came across my post, of March 2, 2017, The Shack—What It Is and Isn’t. If you’ve seen the movie, is your opinion the same? Here’s an edited repost of that post. I’d love to read your thoughts on it in the comments below.

I‘ve seen several rumblings over the newly released movie, The Shack. I’ve read posts from those who sobbed because of the brilliance in addressing forgiveness after staggering intense pain and I’ve seen comments about how these slices of information are wrapped in the devil’s web.

How can a movie affect people so differently?

Movies made over the years have attempted to communicate scripture. I laugh even now remembering the scene from 1962’s epic film, Sodom and Gomorrah when Lot left the city with his family. The movie shows hundreds of people fleeing the city with Lot (played by Stewart Granger) running along the procession, saying, “Don’t look back! Don’t look back!” Scripture tells a different story, indeed.

Or what about movies such as Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, and The Greatest Story Ever Told? Scriptural accuracy isn’t necessarily the main movie maker’s concern. Their main objective: tell a good story. So if those who view The Shack do it through the same lens—seeing a good story—where is there a problem?

Could it Be

Could it be that we now want quick fixes of scripture spoon-fed to us without putting effort into it? Are we so entrenched in the “I-Want-It-Now” lifestyle that we choose not to take any responsibility for what we read or watch? Who can say.

In all the reviews I read, I never saw one that promoted William P. Young as offering a God-inspired work. Instead, I see interpretations of the opinion of William P. Young. He did not write scripture. He never said he wrote scripture. Don’t you think tagging him with the burden of defending a dream he had a bit intense?

When we seek to understand God—know who He is and embrace what he wants to be to each of us—wouldn’t it be better to seek him where he lives rather than watch a movie about a person’s opinion? Listen to God’s conversation with Moses as shared in Exodus 3:14 (God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”).

When we seek to understand God, wouldn’t it be better to seek him where he lives rather than watch a movie about someone else’s opinion?

People often get hurt when truth blurs with opinions, especially surrounding the topic of Scripture. Instead of talking, let’s listen. Bashing those who enjoy a movie (that offers opinions) doesn’t help build up the kingdom of God. Instead, let’s rejoice when conversations about God happen. Hurting people are receptive to Truth when they know they’re not being judged.

Hurting people are receptive to Truth when they know they're not being judged. Click To Tweet

How About This

When people ask questions regarding The Shack’s underlining questions, like where is God in a world filled with unspeakable pain … how can God be an African-American woman … could Jesus really be a jean-wearing hippie… accept the open door as an invitation to share Truth to coincide with the opinion they just witnessed. However, if you are looking for a scripture-satisfying experience while munching popcorn and slurping a soda instead, you may want to consider another movie.

Give yourself permission to enjoy the movie, The Shack. I’d love to hear your review.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.