Had an interesting interaction with a customer the other day. This guy approaches me and asks if we carry a book called "Burning Down The Shack", a critique of the fiction title "The Shack" by William Young. I had heard of the book but neither he nor I could remember the author's name. So off to the computer I went and as I was searching for this author, he began to explain to me why he was inquiring about this book.
He had seen the author being interviewed and immediately agreed with the author's statements regarding the errant theological views presented in a novel. He spoke with his wife about the interview and she informed him that she and other ladies at her church did a book club study on "The Shack" a couple of years ago. He became enraged that something like this could happen at his church so he came to me to find this book in order to understand why this fiction was so evil. Then came the statement that I can't get out of my head, he said, "Now, I'm never gonna read 'The Shack'. I just want this other book to tell me why it's wrong." Judgement had already been passed on a subject with which he had never interacted.
Ugh.
I was so angry, I stepped to the stockroom to have a moment to vent and calm down.
Unfortunately I encounter this paradigm all the time regarding spiritual matters, Bible translations, music styles, author perspectives, denominations, etc., well-meaning individuals simply repeating what their favorite pastor/teacher/theologian/author has said or written. I guess this makes me so angry because for much of my life I did the exact same thing, and probably still do to some extent. Growing up in Bapti-costal churches, preachers spoke with intense authority, sweating profusely, slinging spit and Bible quotes all over the congregation. These (exclusively) men were never questioned and the congregants were required to simply listen and obey. Questioning their authority was akin to questioning God Himself. During some of my most formative years I lived believing blatant lies about God, Christ and daily life simply because I did not seek the truth myself. I relied completely upon the sayings of one who possessed more authority than me. I'm still recovering from some of the hurts those lies inflicted on me and those I love.
I'm not big on confrontation, so I helped the customer find his book and sent him on his way. I wish that I could redo my interaction with the Shack-hating customer. I wish that I could go back and say to him, "I would encourage you to read 'The Shack', because it's good to have first-person knowledge of the issues that concern you and your family. Then after you have read it, thought through the concepts presented in that work of fiction, read the rebuttal that you are buying today. First look at the content, then come up with your own conclusions, and finally share those insights with a trusted friend."
I can't go back in time and communicate some advice to that guy, but I can remind you to think and discover for yourself. Don't get caught being a repeat button for somebody else's heart or brain. God gave you those organs for a reason, use them.
