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William Young's novel, The Shack, centers on dialogues between a miserable main character, Mack, and three unorthodox characterizations of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, embodied in a sassy black woman, incongruously called "Papa," ; Jesus, a big-nosed Middle-Eastern carpenter with a close-cropped beard; and the Holy Spirit, called Sarayu, an Asian Sylph. Mack's three year accumulation of secrets, lies, pain and fears over the kidnapping and murder of his six-year-old daughter, Missy, are swept away in a 48-hour encounter in the woods at- you guessed it- the shack where she was killed. Readers views of The Shack, and its message, are varied and, at times, contentious. Some critics argue that Young's book promotes universal salvation; as free to anyone as an open bar at a party. They understand his book to say that people can discover Jesus' love inside themselves, turn their life over to him, and they are on their way to eternal bliss. Some hard-line fundamentalist Christians view The Shack's message as deeply subversive, scripturally incorrect, and downright dangerous. Some ministers, like Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, say "it misrepresents God. Young misses the big E on the eye chart." To Driscoll, doctrine is essential, like a fence the Almighty erects to safeguard the saved from error. But the Shack also has fans. Many readers say that they have found solace and inspiration in The Shack. They overlook the clichés- "Religious machinery can chew up people," Jesus says at one point-, stereotypes, like the Jewish Jesus' big nose, and Young's awkward writing: the black female God tells Mack, "Don't just stand there gawkin' with your mouth open like your pants are full." Steve McVey of Tampa, author of Grace Walk, praises The Shack. McVey says Young connects with people outside of, or unhappy with, institutional churches that "tell us what we ought to do for God, while grace focuses on what God has already done. A person discovers grace when you come to the end of your own self-sufficiency and realize that you have been made acceptable through Jesus Christ and him alone. You can't score points with God." According to Young, the book is a vision of joy, however far it strays from evangelical dogma. He says he clarified the focus of his narrative by ripping out pages of theological jargon. The author posits that he has "a lot of freedom by knowing that you really experience God in relationships, wherever you are. It's fluid and dynamic, not cemented into an institution with a concrete foundation." Before posting this review, I spoke to a number of people who had read The Shack and, to a person, they all found the "Dallas"/"Bob Newhart Show" swoon ending confusing. If Young's goal was to present a parable for our times, why have the novel end with a question? For me, the book started off with a concept that was quite interesting and then devolved into exactly what a reader might expect from a religious writer trying to gain an audience. The Shack is a fast read and certainly inspirational in its own way, but not among the short-list of books that I would want to carry to a deserted island.Read full review
First I would like all to remember that this is FICTION,amazingly explaining why things happen,good and bad.And why many of us who have been hurt cannot get close enough to God.Nowhere in this book do I see heresy.When Mack asks the three which one of you is God?They all answer in unison "I am"(I Am?). When mack is in one of many deep conversations with Jesus,he asks if there are many ways to God,Jesus quickly sets Mack straight.You see,in our humaness our love truly falls short of God's.And because we don't love everyone.Especially if that someone hurts or offends us or our loved ones.But God loves ALL humankind.Remember,He died for us while we were yet sinners.Not because we were good enough,but because He loved us enough.I have been in church over 50 yrs. Believe me,church goers are just as human as the rest.Nothing but disagreements,backbiters,gossipers,slackers,etc.Truly some think they deserve eternal life.And most churchgoers feel the murderer should be executed,myself included.But think about it ... if your son or daughter killed someone, would you say he/she should die.Of course not and why..because you truly love them and you would speak in their behalf for life in prison..anything but death. It's no different with God but on a much larger scale. He truly loves each and everyone of us,enough to take on human form and come down to earth live as a pauper and become the ultimate sacrifice.Which one of you would go out on a limb for even kin that was always a degenerate without conditions."I'll help you,but only if and when you shape up!" That's not what God did for us!He died inspite of our sins.And even after we are repentive we STILL offend and yes sin! Because we're still human!That murderer is God's child too and God still wants to win his heart. Some are outraged at the fact that God "Papa" was represented by a large black woman who could cook up a storm. Well, the trinity being 3 spirit forms took on many forms to communicate with man, a burning bush, a gushing flow of water, dead dried out bones, a talking jackass, read the old testament people and just see how God came to man.He does what ever is necessary to reach each and everyone of us.Even becoming a lowly human.As the Bible says,Mans greatest wisdom is but foolishness to God.Jesus talked about fishing and farming because that's what the people understood.In this book, God knowing Macks mistrust in his alcholic, bible thumping father, an elder in the church, who beat his wife unconscious, then tied Mack at 12 yrs old to a tree, reading scripture and beating him for 3 days.So He came not as a "father" image just so Mack would be reachable.His goal was to help Mack understand God and learn to trust Him as he once did at the altar back when he was 12yrs.But when Mack needed a "Father's" strength,as he was about to find his daughters bones,God appeared that morning as a man,a strong and loving Father,because why,because Mack was ready for a gruesome discovery,but needed the support and trength of God the Father, to deal with it all. We REALLY need to know just how much God really loves us and how our humaness gets in our way time and time again.This book is second to none! If someone is refusing to read the Bible,give the is book to read,and let God take it from there!The author, a son of missionaries, truly taught their son well, who God really is.WPY's concept was brilliant!It was funny and REALLY heart wrenching!I was amazed at his ability.Read full review
I had a paperback version of this book that I gave to a family member to read. I enjoyed the book so much, that I wanted a hardback version to keep around. I highly recommend this for reading. The author makes the book easy reading and describes in detail whereas I can visualize each scene as it's happening. It's not your typical Christian book. It's a beautifully written story about how a situation affected the whole family. It's written from one person's view point and the suspense of what will happen next in the story made it hard to put the book down and take a break. Did they catch the bad guy? I recommend reading the story to find out.
The book definitely touches the emotions, but lets face it: it's a mix of Christianity and traditional Hawaiian religion. God is indeed love, perhaps much like what is portrayed, but he also encompasses holyness, judgment, and truth. God does not chum around as if he were your buddy; he demands the respect of a King. Remember, this is the same God that (unwillingly) provides a horrible hell for those who reject his offer and die owing for their own sins. We don't like this, but it's true. When repentance isn't part of a Christian story, you can be sure that story is heresy. The author of this book is an admitted universalist who believes everyone from Hitler to Charles Manson goes to heaven. It's a nice idea, but we must admit that The Shack's main point is contrary to that of the Bible. This book is heartening, but it's not an complete or accurate picture of God, and that's why most Christian heavy-hitters advise against it. (I suspect the book has been backed by non-Christian money to get so far.) Read Pilgrim's Progress instead, I'm sorry, but "The Shack", although tasty, contains some poison.Read full review
There is so much learning in this movie it’s not just a movie. It you watch it once and never again and think it was either a great or not that good you are missing something beyond this Is just a movie. Getting caught up in the characters is just the representation the author used. It’s much deeper that that. Either you found the movie or the movie found you, their is a reason, it’s up to you to find and if it’s for someone you know then pass on the name of the movie! The book is even more, I listen to it on CD’s. Very heart felt.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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