DOES "THE SHACK" WARRANT ATTACK?

DOES "THE SHACK" WARRANT ATTACK?

By Jan Markell

To be honest, Christians are not called to "attack" but to "contend" (Jude 3). We're called to encourage discernment and show how today it is easy for wrong to be called right. So on live radio this weekend, my guests and I ask for your prayers as we tackle a controversial subject and as we "contend." Sadly, I can promise you, many will call it an attack.

(If this issue isn't relevant to you, please don't delete until you see our appeal for conference help below.)

We air live from 9 to 11 AM CDT out of AM980 KKMS, Minneapolis/St. Paul. We are simulcast with AM820 KGNW, Seattle/Tacoma from 7 to 9 AM PDT. My guests and I will consider the controversial fiction book The Shack as it is the number one best-seller on many lists including Christianbook.com and The New York Times in paperback fiction.

Find my earlier writing on it here.

Tackling the subject with me will be Eric Barger from "Take a Stand" ministry and Pastor Larry DeBruyn. We will hear comments from Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary who blatantly calls it "heresy." We are all doing our best to sound an alarm and say that the book needs a "buyer beware" label on it.

Yet millions of Christians have literally bought into this fiction that turns God into an African-American female and the Holy Spirit into a woman as well. The words and role of Jesus in the book are not the words and role of Jesus in the Bible.

Is it just an emotions-driven book? Are emotions trumping all doctrine since the Trinity is completely unrecognizable? And Trinity issues are only about 20% of the problem in the book. The "New Age" implications are legion.

There will be opportunity for your input into this program via our in-studio e-mail. You can "listen live" at AM980 KKMS or AM820 KGNW.

You can always catch it late Monday on my "Radio Archives," which is both dial-up friendly and also DSL accessible. For podcasting, check this link. We air in several cities and on satellite and can be heard internationally on the Internet.

You can order individual CDs or become a CD subscriber for $30 a month, getting two CDs a week of our "Understanding the Times" radio program. To do that, call 763-493-3010 or 763-210-8291.

If you would like to advertise on our Minneapolis/St. Paul live program, please call our office. The rates are quite reasonable.

AN APPEAL FOR HELP, PLEASE

I am also writing in part to ask you for a favor. Forgive my intrusion if these issues do not apply to you.

To your upper left is a small photo of our "Understanding the Times 2008" publicity flyer. When you click on it, it opens into a larger flyer that can be printed and handed out. It contains all the information one needs for the annual fall event, this year, September 26-27. Would you consider printing it out and passing it along to those who need to understand the times, contend for the faith, and be watchmen on the wall? There is no charge for this event but an offering will be taken to meet expenses.

This is our 11th conference since 2002. It features an overview of current events from a biblical perspective, apologetics, Bible prophecy, and even some political insight as White House correspondent Bill Koenig will be one of the speakers. Bill is one of just six believers in the White House press corps.

I sense that 2009 could be an historic year in many respects, not just in America, but around the world. Our speakers will outline the projected scenarios and from a biblical perspective.

Also, as apostasy continues to run amok, we have Mike Gendron to deal with that issue. Dr. David Reagan is our Bible prophecy teacher, and Nonie Darwish is one incredible lady. She is called by many "the bravest woman on earth." She is a former Muslim, now a believer, and author of the book, Now They Call Me Infidel. She has many warnings for America.

You can also find conference information at this link. Please note that our special conference hotel, SpringHill Suites, is about sold out. We have added a second hotel, The Residence Inn. Call either hotel at 1-952-944-7700 or 1-952-942-7479 by September 15th! There is a conference discount at both locations if you use the name of Olive Tree Ministries.

The address of SpringHill Suites is clear on our map. The Residence Inn is located at 7780 Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie, a southwest suburb of Minneapolis, MN. We have not been able to get this on any publicity other than this announcement. Both hotels are just minutes from the church and minutes from each other.

If you could be of assistance at this event, please contact us at this e-mail address. We need help in several areas. Last year's event drew about 6,000 people, which could be down this year but will still be a challenge. Please provide a phone number when you write to the above e-mail address.

Feel free to call our office with any conference questions you have. We will not have the speaker lineup for another few weeks.