The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity
Okay . . . I've talked with a number of people about this book and I have been recommending it with a little bit of tentativeness. The reason for my tentativeness is that the book is an allegory/story and the author uses some images in this allegory that will be of concern and maybe even outrage for some readers. The book has been harshly criticized in some Christian circles as "new age heresy," etc.
The book is a story of a man (a Christian) who loses one of his young daughters in a very tragic, horrible, evil situation. I won't give the specifics, but imagine the worst and you're there. He becomes a sad, angry man.
The story is the Trinity inviting him to a meeting at the place (The Shack) which is where the evil took place.
The problem for some Christians is that the author depicts God the Father as an African woman! I can only say this - don't let this bog you down. There is a reason for it.
Here is what I like about the book:
William Young has done a wonderful job dealing with tragedy, suffering and evil and what it does to our hearts. He creates a conversation with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit where Mack's deepest heart issues are exposed and the love and wisdom of God is poured into each of those areas of life.
The book is a combination of theology, spirituality, and a bit of psychology, all without the technical jargon and presented in a very relational way.
The book is all about the love of God and God's intense desire to be in relationship with us.
The book challenges many of the prevailing, "diminished" ways of understanding the Christian faith.
There are a few places where I found myself disagreeing with the author, but far more places where there was a lump in my throat, my eyes were moist, my spirit quickened and God was speaking to me.
Check out www.theshack.com for more on this book.
If you get the book - let me know what you think.
Brian Rice
