'The Shack' bringing 'another gospel' to the big screen -
Critic warns, 'Script will lead people away from God of the Bible'
Posted: August 22, 2010
12:45 am Eastern
By Drew Zahn
William Paul Young and his controversial book
One of the best-selling – and most controversial – Christian novels of
the last decade may be coming to a movie theater near you.
Author William Paul Young confirmed in an e-mail that he is writing a
screenplay to make his publishing phenomenon, "The Shack," into a
motion picture.
"The Shack," a story of a man who meets God in the woods following the
kidnapping and death of his daughter, has sold over 12 million copies
and has spent 111 weeks – and counting – on the New York Times
best-seller list, including more than a year in the No. 1 spot.
"The Shack," however, has generated not only revenue but also harsh
criticism for its portrayal of God and messages on salvation. Some have
even blasted the book as "heresy."
James B. De Young, author of "Burning Down 'The Shack,'" for example,
alleges Young's bestseller negates God's holiness and judgment,
distorts the work of Christ upon the Cross and falsely offers
forgiveness and salvation to everyone regardless of their relationship
to Jesus.
"A relationship with God comes only by personal trust or faith placed
in Jesus Christ," De Young said. "For the book (and the film) to ignore
this core of faith is to propound another and different gospel to that
of Jesus and the Apostles. It is the heart of the gospel, but it is
ignored in the heresy of universal salvation."
He continued, "A film will only reinforce such a distortion. Indeed,
what people see will have a greater impact, potentially, than the
printed page. If Young is true to his novel, his script will no doubt
continue to lead people away from a total understanding of the God of
the Bible."
Rumors of a "The Shack" being made into a movie have been swirling for
some time, pushed in part by a website that lists the "The Shack" among
works in progress of Downes Brothers Entertainment.
Young said, however, that he has not authorized anyone to begin work on
making "The Shack" into a feature film.
"Nothing at all has happened with regard to the movie," Young wrote in
an e-mail. "Anyone who has attached themselves to such a project are
incorrect. Currently I am working on the screenplay but have not begun
any of the anticipated process of getting it to the screen. In time. No
rush."
The questions about the movie rights, however, pale in comparison to
the controversy over who owns the rights to do what when and to make
how much money from the book.
The Los Angeles Times reports that last November Young filed suit in
state court against the team of pastors and publishers that helped to
bring "The Shack" to the public. Young alleges he is owed about $8
million in lost royalties and that Windblown Media, the start-up that
first published "The Shack," should have its publishing and
distribution rights for the book terminated.
Financial controversies aside, millions of people have read the book,
and many have testified that its redemptive story of a wounded, bitter
man finding a God he never expected talking and dancing and walking on
water with him has changed their lives. They've said it helps them see
past the imposing image of God they adopted through painful experiences
in church to find healing and joy in a clearer picture of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.
Author De Young, however, asks in his "Burning Down 'The Shack,'" at
what price are people turning to God and what god are they turning to?
"Is it truly helpful if someone helps people in one area while
simultaneously propounding error in another area?" De Young writes. "If
the love of God is affirmed but his justice and/or holiness is
shortchanged, will this not lead to a distortion of God and one's
relationship with God?"
He continues, "One does not use error to teach truth. Jesus is love,
but he is also truth. By deemphasizing or neglecting the justice or
holiness of God in s the service of propounding a heresy about the love
of God, one cheapens the love of God."
De Young answers his own questions in the biting conclusion to "Burning
Down 'The Shack'":
"Paul Young's 'The Shack' is a subversive attack on the Bible and
Christian faith," De Young writes. "It has the potential to damage
Christian theology for several generations."