SHACK OR SHAKTI?
Pt. 1 - THE 'SHAKTI' OF THE SHACK - Parallels to the 'Shakti' of Hinduism, and the One-World Church:
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I didn't initially set out to write such an article as the one which follows; however, after reading several articles on The Shack, and of course reading The Shack itself, I felt led to write down some information that I had uncovered through further research on the subject.
To be fair, there are both positive and negative elements about this book, and both stood out upon first reading it. It makes you laugh; it makes you cry; it makes you fear; it makes you smile in agreement - and it also piques your discernment, and rubs your 'spirit' the wrong way at times.
In fact, quite often as I was reading The Shack, I noted many unscriptural elements throughout the book. This is problematic in that, while this story is a work of Christian 'fiction', it is however meant to be based on Christian belief and faith.
In most stories of fiction, even those based on historical fact, some 'artistic license' is allowable. However, when you are writing Biblical fiction, you cannot stray from Biblical teaching lest you come into grave error and lead yourself, and others, astray.
The juggernaut of a 'new-age', 'new world order' religion is earnestly bearing down and headed our way. As I researched this topic, I was astonished at the things I discovered. While I immediately saw many 'New-Age' and 'ecumenical' elements in my reading of The Shack, upon deeper investigation there are even more parallels with 'new-age' and pagan belief systems than first meets the eye.
I have no way of knowing if these pagan and 'New Age' elements in the book are intentional; however, the parallels are striking. If they are indeed intentional, it is just one more sign of the infiltration of New Age belief into the Christian church. Readers of this article may, of course, draw their own conclusions from what they find here.
The following excerpt from an article by Roger Oakland of Understand the Times is a fitting introduction to the dangers of some of the beliefs contrary to biblical Christianity that are entering the modern Christian church through many new practices and teachings, one of these being the New York Times bestseller, The Shack: He states,
"Christianity based on faith in the Word of God continues to be under attack from all angles. The emerging church continues to promote Roman Catholic experiences and contemplative eastern meditative practices ('Christian' mysticism). The gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly being redefined in order to prepare for a wide path that is open to people of all faith. This wide path is leading towards an ecumenical union with the Roman Church."
"Not only are the 'separated brethren' being drawn back into the fold, it is apparent that the religions of the world are being drawn into a global plan that is uniting all religions for the cause of peace with headquarters in Rome. It is also important to note the role that 'Mary - the mother of the Eucharist' and her son, the 'Eucharistic Jesus' play in this global ecumenical agenda."[1]
Many of the elements mentioned in the article by Mr. Oakland - particularly that of Eastern Mysticism and Ecumenical Union - are found within the storyline and characters of The Shack. As mentioned above, Mary - the mother of the Eucharist" and her son, the "Eucharistic Jesus" will play a role in the coming global ecumenical agenda.
Two of the main characters in The Shack seem to typify this 'Mother of Jesus' and 'Jesus the son' relationship. The character of God, who goes by the name of 'Papa' in the book, is portrayed as a large black woman who points out that the 'Jesus' in this story is "her son".[2]
This is, of course, in direct contrast to the Holy Bible which states very clearly that God is the Father, and Jesus is his one and only begotten son. (John 1:14; John 3:16)
Yes, the Bible does tell us that Mary was indeed the mother of Jesus - it does not tell us that God was his mother. While The Shack is "just a novel", it should still stick to the basic truth of the story about God, Jesus and Mary without blurring the definite distinctions made between these characters.
Does The Shack seek to 'deify' Mary in making the mother of Jesus 'God'? Or possibly to now give God the role of being Jesus' mother in place of Mary? Or, perhaps to let God share in that role...
Perhaps, but I think that there's more.
I think, rather, that the blending of these separate roles - a bringing together of the identities - may be to make them more or less one and the same, the reasons for which will become increasingly clear as we go on.
(See Pt. 2 - EASTERN MYSTICISM: The (Un-)'Holy' Trinity)
© Copyright 2009 / His Faithfulness Ministries
Read entire eBook FREE on Amazon!
I didn't initially set out to write such an article as the one which follows; however, after reading several articles on The Shack, and of course reading The Shack itself, I felt led to write down some information that I had uncovered through further research on the subject.
To be fair, there are both positive and negative elements about this book, and both stood out upon first reading it. It makes you laugh; it makes you cry; it makes you fear; it makes you smile in agreement - and it also piques your discernment, and rubs your 'spirit' the wrong way at times.
In fact, quite often as I was reading The Shack, I noted many unscriptural elements throughout the book. This is problematic in that, while this story is a work of Christian 'fiction', it is however meant to be based on Christian belief and faith.
In most stories of fiction, even those based on historical fact, some 'artistic license' is allowable. However, when you are writing Biblical fiction, you cannot stray from Biblical teaching lest you come into grave error and lead yourself, and others, astray.
The juggernaut of a 'new-age', 'new world order' religion is earnestly bearing down and headed our way. As I researched this topic, I was astonished at the things I discovered. While I immediately saw many 'New-Age' and 'ecumenical' elements in my reading of The Shack, upon deeper investigation there are even more parallels with 'new-age' and pagan belief systems than first meets the eye.
I have no way of knowing if these pagan and 'New Age' elements in the book are intentional; however, the parallels are striking. If they are indeed intentional, it is just one more sign of the infiltration of New Age belief into the Christian church. Readers of this article may, of course, draw their own conclusions from what they find here.
The following excerpt from an article by Roger Oakland of Understand the Times is a fitting introduction to the dangers of some of the beliefs contrary to biblical Christianity that are entering the modern Christian church through many new practices and teachings, one of these being the New York Times bestseller, The Shack: He states,
"Christianity based on faith in the Word of God continues to be under attack from all angles. The emerging church continues to promote Roman Catholic experiences and contemplative eastern meditative practices ('Christian' mysticism). The gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly being redefined in order to prepare for a wide path that is open to people of all faith. This wide path is leading towards an ecumenical union with the Roman Church."
"Not only are the 'separated brethren' being drawn back into the fold, it is apparent that the religions of the world are being drawn into a global plan that is uniting all religions for the cause of peace with headquarters in Rome. It is also important to note the role that 'Mary - the mother of the Eucharist' and her son, the 'Eucharistic Jesus' play in this global ecumenical agenda."[1]
Many of the elements mentioned in the article by Mr. Oakland - particularly that of Eastern Mysticism and Ecumenical Union - are found within the storyline and characters of The Shack. As mentioned above, Mary - the mother of the Eucharist" and her son, the "Eucharistic Jesus" will play a role in the coming global ecumenical agenda.
Two of the main characters in The Shack seem to typify this 'Mother of Jesus' and 'Jesus the son' relationship. The character of God, who goes by the name of 'Papa' in the book, is portrayed as a large black woman who points out that the 'Jesus' in this story is "her son".[2]
This is, of course, in direct contrast to the Holy Bible which states very clearly that God is the Father, and Jesus is his one and only begotten son. (John 1:14; John 3:16)
Yes, the Bible does tell us that Mary was indeed the mother of Jesus - it does not tell us that God was his mother. While The Shack is "just a novel", it should still stick to the basic truth of the story about God, Jesus and Mary without blurring the definite distinctions made between these characters.
Does The Shack seek to 'deify' Mary in making the mother of Jesus 'God'? Or possibly to now give God the role of being Jesus' mother in place of Mary? Or, perhaps to let God share in that role...
Perhaps, but I think that there's more.
I think, rather, that the blending of these separate roles - a bringing together of the identities - may be to make them more or less one and the same, the reasons for which will become increasingly clear as we go on.
(See Pt. 2 - EASTERN MYSTICISM: The (Un-)'Holy' Trinity)
© Copyright 2009 / His Faithfulness Ministries
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