When Pride of Learning Exceeds Actual Learning

In the most recent issue of "The Intermountain Christian News" there is a really good review by Dr. Youssef Shared of "The Shack." Most of you who know me well are aware that I am no fan of this book, and so it should be no surprise to you that the article in question is a critique of the book. You will find this review on page 1 of the paper, and it continues on page 5, along with a list of 13 heresies the author finds in the book. As exciting as it would be for me to share these with you, I will let the reader follow the link above and read it for him/herself.

What I want to actually share with you in this post is actually in the letters to the editor section of the paper...found on page 4. Apparently, the article is republished along with a couple of letters regarding it, one of them a positive and one of them a negative letter. Here is the text of the letter I wish to make a comment on:

"It saddens me that you have lost your own bearings. I know you to be educated but I’m pretty sure my theological credentials exceed yours. I have read The Shack twice with a careful attention to the story, the theological underpinnings and the fictional expression of exceptionally difficult but exceedingly critical personal issues.

Your adoption of this shallow (at best) and probably disingenuous critique of The Shack is disappointing and makes me think that you would have been one of the myopic critics of C.S. Lewis as well.

I recommend that you retract your endorsement of Youssef’s spurious and anxious critique as soon as possible lest you find yourself in the company of the Pharisees our Lord had so little regard for. You might discover that you have done a great deal of damage to the Kingdom of God in your zeal.
– John F., Boise, Idaho (Submitted 03/15/09)"

What struck me first about this letter is that in commenting on the article, the writer (who apparently challenges the editor to a war of theological credentials...such humility!) fails to address even one point brought up by Dr. Youseff. There is no "here is why he is wrong..." No, far from it. Instead the letter is filled with attacks that seem determined to make the issue one of opinion rather than facts. For someone bold enough to assert the supremacy of his own knowledge, Mr. John F. fails to demonstrate it through any interaction with the actual content of Dr. Youseff's article.

Furthermore, you'll notice the choice words used throughout..."shallow (at best) and probably disingenuous critique..." Okay, but how is it shallow? The article brings up 13 heresies and the reasons why the author thinks them heresies. Yet our theological warrior here instead says that the article makes him think "that you would have been one of the myopic critics of C.S. Lewis as well." Now how does that address anything in the article? Oh yeah, it doesn't. And what if you disagree with Mr. John F.? Why then you must be, as he says, "in the company of the Pharisees our Lord had so little regard for. You might discover that you have done a great deal of damage to the Kingdom of God in your zeal." Wow...strong words. And all they do is confuse the issue and, yet again, fail to actually have any meaningful dialogue with the content! You disagree with me? Pharisee!!! You dare critique an author I like? You damage the Kingdom of God!

Obviously I dont' know who Mr. John F. is...but I pray whatever lofty school he received those theological credentials from normally does a better job of teaching its students how to properly critique the writings of another person. Maybe he should read Dr. Youseff's article again...'cause that was a good example right there!