A REVIEW OF THE SHACK (Three out of Five Stars)
A lot is circulating about this little book, "The Shack." It is a polarizing book, and I do not agree with it wholeheartedly but I enjoyed it as fiction and am somewhat critical of it as any sort of theological treatise. I know that the author is writing cathartically and is biased - we all are in one form or another - but we do need to remember to filter this through the Scriptures, and to apply critical thinking as well as the Holy Spirit's guidance especially as this presents God in a very relational way which may be somewhat new. We, too, bring preconceived notions about God into this read, but most are very healthy. From Sunday School, or Bible Study, personal experience, or even other books, we shape an image about God. Hopefully, we are using the reading of the Scriptures, God's own Words, to get our best image.
At times, there is a tendency to get caught up in the groundswell in Christian circles and just go with the flow, endorsing various items, and I think that while there is much to enjoy about this book, there is much to be concerned with as well. I am not endorsing this book, and if I had to rate it I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. Overall I really enjoyed the book as it is an engaging story. The pace is moderate at first, picks up briefly and then continues on as Mack has his encounter with "Papa." Nearing the end there is too much going on without explanations and then wrapped up neatly, perhaps too neatly. It is one author's attempt to show the wonderful, loving relationship God enjoys with Himself (three separate personalities, one God) and that is pretty eye opening. The way that God interacts with Himself in the book is so loving. Joanna, my wife, really noted that God is into personal space, namely He "violates" interpersonal space, touching, hugging, etc. and is very physical. This is a neat picture of the great "Abba" or daddy realization that we need to have of God. My Aunt RoseLee said that it paints a picture and that picture can help us understand God a little better. That said, pictures can be wrong and although I do not think there is anything intrinsically wrong with the book, it still only presents one facet of God. After all, He is a great and wonderful creator, a God who lives in unapproachable light, who is to be feared, revered, and is Holy. So I do think the Shack presents a wonderful picture of God, and that as pictures go, can assist us in deepening our understanding of God, His 3-in-oneness, and the relationship He wants with us. On the other hand, just as pictures are limited by the moment they capture, (or what the artists paints), this book is limited in what it shows about God. My favorite part is the desire God has to include us (humanity) in on a relationship with Him. One other item I fear is missing from this book is repentance. Yes, God does pursue relationship with us but to truly experience full and complete forgiveness that God offers, there must be repentance, something that Mack and God do not discuss.
I do think the author has taken liberties in his novel that may stumble a younger believer and presents thoughts that are not all Biblical and may even be contrary to Scripture. I personally think a good balance to reading this would be to spend some time with Elmer Towns' series on the names of God. He has one for each member of the Trinity. Also "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges is an excellent primer on obedience and living the Christian walk. Charles Colson's "Being The Body" and Philip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace" are both dripping with practical mind-opening examples of how we should live in light of God's greatness.
A great review: http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf
I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.
A lot is circulating about this little book, "The Shack." It is a polarizing book, and I do not agree with it wholeheartedly but I enjoyed it as fiction and am somewhat critical of it as any sort of theological treatise. I know that the author is writing cathartically and is biased - we all are in one form or another - but we do need to remember to filter this through the Scriptures, and to apply critical thinking as well as the Holy Spirit's guidance especially as this presents God in a very relational way which may be somewhat new. We, too, bring preconceived notions about God into this read, but most are very healthy. From Sunday School, or Bible Study, personal experience, or even other books, we shape an image about God. Hopefully, we are using the reading of the Scriptures, God's own Words, to get our best image.
At times, there is a tendency to get caught up in the groundswell in Christian circles and just go with the flow, endorsing various items, and I think that while there is much to enjoy about this book, there is much to be concerned with as well. I am not endorsing this book, and if I had to rate it I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. Overall I really enjoyed the book as it is an engaging story. The pace is moderate at first, picks up briefly and then continues on as Mack has his encounter with "Papa." Nearing the end there is too much going on without explanations and then wrapped up neatly, perhaps too neatly. It is one author's attempt to show the wonderful, loving relationship God enjoys with Himself (three separate personalities, one God) and that is pretty eye opening. The way that God interacts with Himself in the book is so loving. Joanna, my wife, really noted that God is into personal space, namely He "violates" interpersonal space, touching, hugging, etc. and is very physical. This is a neat picture of the great "Abba" or daddy realization that we need to have of God. My Aunt RoseLee said that it paints a picture and that picture can help us understand God a little better. That said, pictures can be wrong and although I do not think there is anything intrinsically wrong with the book, it still only presents one facet of God. After all, He is a great and wonderful creator, a God who lives in unapproachable light, who is to be feared, revered, and is Holy. So I do think the Shack presents a wonderful picture of God, and that as pictures go, can assist us in deepening our understanding of God, His 3-in-oneness, and the relationship He wants with us. On the other hand, just as pictures are limited by the moment they capture, (or what the artists paints), this book is limited in what it shows about God. My favorite part is the desire God has to include us (humanity) in on a relationship with Him. One other item I fear is missing from this book is repentance. Yes, God does pursue relationship with us but to truly experience full and complete forgiveness that God offers, there must be repentance, something that Mack and God do not discuss.
I do think the author has taken liberties in his novel that may stumble a younger believer and presents thoughts that are not all Biblical and may even be contrary to Scripture. I personally think a good balance to reading this would be to spend some time with Elmer Towns' series on the names of God. He has one for each member of the Trinity. Also "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges is an excellent primer on obedience and living the Christian walk. Charles Colson's "Being The Body" and Philip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace" are both dripping with practical mind-opening examples of how we should live in light of God's greatness.
A great review: http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf
I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.
posted by Graham at 12:03 PM
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