Friday, April 11, 2008

William Paul Young Interview

William Paul Young talks about the breakout success of his novel "The Shack," a book he originally wrote for his children (interview aired on The 700 Club).

A friend has been talking for this book a great deal. My wife has the book and I need to read it. However, I am allowing her to read it first. If she does not pick it up within the next few days, I will grab it and read it.

This book has "exploded" on the internet and the blog world. Each day, I come across a review of the book and people who are applauding it or people who are calling him a heretic. There are Christians that are lamblasting him for leading people down to a universalim view and other laughing at the notion.

The interview is below:



Mark Driscoll Slamming "The Shack"



Let us Discuss ...

What is going on ?

What are your thoughts on The Trinity ?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding me? I like Mark Driscoll, but this is a bit much. I can completely respect his position feeling that giving images to portray images of God (and Jesus for that matter) as flesh and blood human beings being idolatry. Personally, I feel that the author was trying to get the reader to "think outside the box" about how he/she views God. Yes, a "graven image" has permeated our society of God looking like a wrathful Santa Claus. Let's think outside the box and view God as a deity. No "He" or "She". "It" seems disrespectful. I'm not applauding the effort, but I get it.

As for the goddess worship . . . BOOM! There went your credibility! Way to contradict yourself! He just made the point that God is not man, but Abba (Father) is a descriptive term. Languages do NOT do God justice! The more he talked, the more I tuned him out. Honestly, I couldn't put up with it long enough to hear him out. I started hearing, "Blah, blah, blah, blah-blah, blah-blah!"

Roland said...

I've never heard Driscoll much, but it does seem like he is wanting to correct an oversteer and goes too far the other way.
I think the first video is pretty good.
But, like KWBG, Driscoll just made me think, "Dude, did you even understand what the other guy is saying?"
I think we are all guilty of being human.
Driscoll just shows his human-ness.
I do it myself sometimes.
We get so focused on what's wrong sometimes.
*sigh*

Thoughts From Jeff said...

I know that there is a "point" to The Shack but it is a fictional story.

I use to like Mark. I have read alot of his writings and heard amny of his sermons. It just seems like he has taken a shift lately and I am not a fan of the shift.

Wonder Woman said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Inkling said...

I asked Paul myself about the whole universalism deal, and he clearly explained that's not his point. He also shared enough that I'm not at all worried he is speaking extra-biblically. Even though a hero of mine has called this book unorthodox, I will stand up and say that I believe Paul wrote an important book for our time. Here's a website some readers might find helpful.....http://www.windblownmedia.com/shackresponse.html

I'll also add that yes, the plot is fictional. But the conversations, questions, and lessons are real. Paul had those conversations with God, although he wasn't lucky enough to see God appear as a big black woman. I believe it could be said that the characters of Mack, Willie, and Missie are all in some way the true character of Paul.

Oh, and one last interesting thing.......I could tell you the story of a guy who actually thought he was having hallucinations about a big black woman and two other people coming to him telling him it was time to deal with his "stuff". He went to see a pastor friend of his about his fear that he was finally going off the deep end, and the pastor just gave him a copy of The Shack. The guy came back after reading it, realizing he's been visited for real by a God who would go to great lengths to bring Him home.

This book is doing amazing things in people's hearts and lives, and God is using it for good. It makes me sad to see folks trash it or get on some theological high horse. If they had the opportunity like I did to open my heart on a plane and read the whole thing, and then have Paul and his sister sit at my table and share their stories with me, they would not be so quick to judge it as evil or as heresy.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but after my hero trashed the book last week, I've decided to speak up for Paul every time I have the chance. He's an imperfect vessel just like all of us, but God is working through him in ways that cannot be denied.

Yeah, steal the book from your wife and read it. I doubt someone like you could do this (as in someone with a brain that gives me a headache just thinking about it, you are aptly named Smart Guy), but try to just read it with your heart and leave your theological ducks and suppositions by the pond. It's a way better read that way.

Unknown said...

Is it just me or are people WAY, WAY, overacting about this book. It's Christian FICTION!!!! The author William "Paul" Young, who I met by the way, is the most incredibly down to earth person you'll ever meet. This book is just an attempt to share just how big GOD really is. I read the book at a time in my life where I had gone through a tragedy. It was such an encouragement to me. I thank God that Paul wrote this book. It really upsets me that he has taken such a beating over this. All he is doing is sharing with the world some things that God has shown him personally. It is not meant to take the place of the Bible. If you haven't read it please do so, especially if you have lost someone close to you. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I think the Mark Driscoll missed the whole point of the book and did not introduced the book well to the public. I do not believe the book was about the Trinity as much as it was about forgiving and learning to allow God to control your life. The book is a work of fiction so it is not religious doctrine. However, we should always try to keep an open mind about things we read. Try to take the good from things instead of the negativity.

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