A Little Poison

Three things there are which men never ought to trifle with: a little poison, a little false doctrine, and a little sin.

-J.C. Ryle

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A sequel to The Shack will hit bookshelves later this year.

While this is not good news, it is a wonderful opportunity to prepare to respectfully give a defense of the biblical doctrine slashed and maimed throughout The Shack.

I read The Shack many years ago, and while the author is a capable writer, he reveres a god of his own making, rather than the one true God of the Bible. This book is dangerous because it is touted as Christian fiction, despite teaching heresy, scantily disguised in persuasive writing.

Satan masquerades as an angel of light and make no mistake about it: this book is in his back pocket.

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A few months ago, I met Mindy while working out on our parallel treadmills. Although verbose, she spoke kindly, and when I shared my faith, she smiled.

I am a Christian, too.

She told me her life’s story piecemeal, a saga stuffed with heartache and punctuated with: God has always brought me through.

As the days slipped into weeks, all seemed well.

One morning, she appeared on the treadmill next to me, asking if I had seen Addie.

Yes, she was here yesterday, I said. In fact, she asked me a few questions about God, church, and my personal faith. Although curious, she denies her need for Christ.

Mindy nodded. Did you know she is a millionaire?

No, I said, shaking my head before adding, ‘For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?‘

Mindy slowed her treadmill. Kristin, you don’t understand. She and her husband do kind things for people with their money. They are the nicest people I know.

Her voice was not so quiet.

That is kind of them, but doing nice things never brings anyone to heaven. Jesus said, ‘No one comes to the Father but through me.’ The only way to God is through faith in Jesus.

And then the wheels fell off the bus.

Her formerly calm face contorted. With mouth set and eyes ablaze, she stared me down. Later, I told my husband that the change in her demeanor was truly frightening.

You are not God, Kristin, and I do not know what Bible you are reading, but Jesus is gentle and kind, and you will be surprised at all the people in heaven who did not confess him here.

I prayed, Help, and felt the Spirit’s peace blanket me.

I told Mindy that while I am definitely not God, the Bible speaks plainly about sin, repentance, and faith in Christ alone. As I began to softly share another Scripture, Mindy steamrolled me, speaking loudly to muffle my voice. I stopped talking and kept exercising, stunned to be having this unexpected conversation so early in the morning. While I knew it would be unprofitable to argue, I refused to fold.

After a minute or two of twisting Scripture, Mindy ceased her tirade.

Mindy, the Bible tells us that the way is narrow, and few will find it, I said. And I personally can think of nothing worse than giving someone a false assurance that they will spend eternity in heaven while they are openly rejecting Christ. How devastating! I would be happy to bring some helpful articles and Bible verses for you to read, and perhaps we could discuss—

She cut me off.

If you bring articles, I will not read them.

Her petulance–upturned nose, pouty lips–reminded me of a toddler.

Okay, I said. Please know it’s not my desire to argue with you, but I stand by the Bible. Every Word is true.

She said nothing more.

And that was that.

I was surprised that after a day or two of enduring her chill, Mindy began to warm up and warble her life’s stories to me once again. She is a delightful conversationalist and an interesting person, a woman with captivating speech. She no longer speaks about Christ or Scripture, but I am not giving up, praying that in time, we can return to deeper waters.

Millionaire Addie remains curious about my faith, and I feel her studying me as I exercise and converse with others. My faith remains a mystery to her, and I pray that the Spirit will open her kind eyes.

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Doctrine matters.

What we believe in the depths of our hearts determines our actions, conversations, and decisions.

Obeying the Bible and speaking truth, no matter how kindly, will cost the true Christ-follower something, and often thins the crowd.

It is wise to prepare for hard conversations before they happen. Fill your heart with Scripture and trust the Spirit to give you his words. Those hard conversations correcting false doctrine ought to be laced with calm, gracious speech. Strong words anchored in Scripture, born of conviction, and seasoned with respect.

The Shack is a devastating example of the make-up-whatever-theology-suits-your-fancy type of literature, and it is wreaking havoc on undiscerning people. (I recommend this detailed review of The Shack.) People who embrace heresy are headed for eternal danger. Remember this as you seek to kindly share truth.

Do you know God’s Word? Are you ready to give a defense for what you believe? When someone you care for promotes false teaching or raves about books such as The Shack or its sequel, are you prepared to honor God and risk contempt? Or will you fold in an attempt to keep relationships copacetic?

Walk boldly today, embrace courage, and be willing to gently ruffle some feathers for the glory of God and the good of others.

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¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Ephesians 4:14-15