How Do You Feel About…”The Shack?” January 27, 2009

About a year ago a friend of mine handed me a copy of “The Shack” by William Paul Young and asked me to read it.  And so…like a good pastor I said I would…took it…put it on my bookshelf and soon forgot about it.

BUT…I kept hearing more and more about it.  Finally Lucretia read it and had lots to say about it…THEN debate began to spread about it…so I figured I might as well read it and THEN form an opinion about it.  (As opposed to what numerous critics were doing.)

I loved this book…I thought it was very well written and the concepts and ideas that it introduced to me stretched me, challenged me and, at times made me feel very uncomfortable.

(One of the problems I think that many Christians have is that we don’t like to read anything that might go against what we’ve always thought to be true.)

One of the problems I know that I’ve wrestled with in the past is when I think I’ve got God all figured out…you know, reduced Him to a formula…and then BAM, He blows my formula up in my face…this book did that for me.
HOWEVER, I want you to hear me out on this…I loved this book AS a work of fiction and not necessarily a theological dissertation of the things I hold to be true in regards to Scripture.

I cannot say that I endorse every theological ideology that the book affirms…but then again I can’t say that I endorse every theological ideology that some of my favorite pastors/leaders endorse either.  Heck, if having to agree 100% with everything that everyone says is my qualification for endorsement…I am not even sure I could endorse myself!

My recommendation…read it…but as a work of fiction.  Do not place it on the same level as Scripture…but allow it to stretch you and teach you…who knows, you may learn a thing or two.

One more thing…there were several times in the book that Young’s description of the meals that were being prepared made me incredibly hungry.  If you’ve read it you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Just my opinion…