ONE OF the best-selling books aimed at Christians in recent years, The Shack presents a gospel that the Apostles of the first century would not have recognized.
Prof. James DeYoung, author of Burning Down ‘The Shack’: How the ‘Christian’ Bestseller is Deceiving Millions, talks about the deceptive, unbiblical doctrine of universal reconciliation and how it’s propelled The Shack to the top of the New York Times Best-Seller Lists.
The View From The Bunker archive and links to the live show are at the new View From the Bunker website, www.VFTB.net. And check out the other like-minded Christian podcasters at the Revelations Radio Network.
Click the arrow on the player below to listen now, or right-click (control-click if you have a Mac) the “download” link to save the mp3 file to your hard drive.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Update from PID Radio:: P.I.D. Radio Live: Burning Down 'The Shack' -- Topsy.com
I was thinking about the statement, “Jesus died in vain if everyone will be saved”. Would not the Universalist respond, “Everyone is saved because Jesus died”. Without further, deeper explanation, the original statement appears weak. It is not weak when fully developed. Shane is calling in as I write this and he is touching on reconciliation vs salvation, a fair example of more complete development. Just an observation.
Great interview. I read “The Shack” and recognized the Universalism but enjoyed the book for other reasons. My view of God was not altered but enhanced (however much) within the framework of an already secure (to some degree) theology. If however one has little or no theological framework and “The Shack” becomes a building block, the resulting building will tend toward peculiarity. If one knows only a judgmental God and not a loving God, then maybe they receive some welcome balance from “Shack” but that balance is better received from proper study of God’s word and not man’s fiction.
The book’s success has an unnatural element to it. Many Christians ascribe supernatural success to God only, probably due to the prosperity gospel. We forget the other side of supernatural. Derek had a good point, “when everyone is speaking well of you …”.
Derek and Sharon you have done it again! This episode is one of the best I have heard. The interview with Prof. de Young was excellent, the callers were wonderful but being able to listen in on the tete-a-tete between such excellent Christian minds as you two was SUCH A BLESSING (sorry for the all caps but it does make me want to SHOUT!). This is why I love P.I.D. Radio so much. You address issues that I do not hear addressed anywhere else but are SO IMPORTANT! (Oops, there I go shouting again.) Were it not for you two there are those of us who would feel like the Lone Ranger…and that’s not a good thing. You make me realize the REALITY of The Body of Christ and that makes me feel BLESSED!
I listened to this interview and have recently been looking into universal reconciliation for many reasons. I did not however identify personally with the statements made about people who are tending towards universalism. I believe that the crucifixion of Jesus was and is the ONLY way to God. It was a necessary part of Gods plan. I totally believe in the personality of the adversary and his role in Gods plan. As for hell I have always been perplexed about this issue it seems to have no purpose….unless you think unending torture serves a purpose. Also having studied in some depth the Tenach and the Torah where there is no concept of this place called hell…I find it very strange that if such a place as western minds and most pagan religions believe to be hell does exist then do you not think that God, through Moses ,whilst giving’ the law’ and teaching the people about himself would have made it abundantly clear that to die in sin meant something so horrific that normal human minds could never comprehend the terror of it….and yet Moses was silent regarding this issue..???
Furthermore how does it glorify God to have the vast majority of humankind burn in hell???? I have often heard preachers say it states that you have to come to a knowledge of Jesus in this life or its curtains for you…however although they say it and I have read the bible..several additions now cover to cover I cannot find where it says this…if you could enlighten me with this scripture then I would be happy to look it up. The parable of Lazarus we must remember is one spoken to a Jewish audience specifically the religious ones who did not have any concept of eternal torture..if you do a study of the parable you will see it is not actually talking about hell at all…too much to write about here. Anyway still studying but just wanted to refute the claim that people who lean to universalism think x, y, z, My Father in heaven is purposeful and will glorify himself despite us..and as ALL died in adam (a man) ALL will be made alive in Jesus (God) does all mean all..and whos fall and whos sacrifice has the most power??? Just a thought.
Deborah Farr: How about this from Luke in the New testament.
There was a certain man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores, and desiring to be fed the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table, moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receiveth thy good tidings, and likewise Lazarus evil things: But now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Then he said, “I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren: that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” Abraham said unto him, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “Nay, father Abraham: But if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” And he said unto him, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31
Long time pid’er, first time caller.
Yes, regardless of what the Shack says, I’m with Deborah.
I too have looked afresh at the idea of universal (or ultimate) reconciliation and have found it quite intriguing and Scriptural.
Bobby- As far as I can tell, there is fire and suffering in Hades. Whether or not it is an eternal/fruitless fire or a time-based/purging fire seems the question to me. Even death itself is destined to end up in the lake of fire, maybe at the same moment the mystery of time is no more?