The Shack by William P Young

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There’s a lot of talk out there regarding this book. I read it to see what all the fuss was about. I didn’t read any reviews of the book before I actually read the book so that I could come up with my own conclusions. This isn’t a review of the book. There is a lot out there already that attempts to show flaws in the book. There are a lot of reviews out there that talk about it’s life-changing effects. This is neither. Mainly because I didn’t come to any real conclusions after reading the book. I finished the book last night and have had a day to process it. Here are my random thoughts of what I took from the book:

1. I can now add another book to the list of “Books that actually made me cry” (the list is a veritable who’s who of popular schmaltzy novels, fiction and non-fiction alike, including P.S. I Love You, Marley & Me, and the last book in the “Left Behind” series where Jesus has returned to Earth and shares an intimate conversation with everyone…just imaginging that happening to me was enough to start the tears flowing). Anyway, there were three places in The Shack that turned on my waterworks. As a father it hurt to read some parts of this story. It was hard to read on vacation while I was away from my little one.

2. When I finished I tried to figure out where all the bad theology was. Regardless of my attempts to avoid book reviews prior to reading the book I couldn’t avoid hearing that the book was both heretical and full of poor theology. Now my theological index isn’t set to “Emergent” or “Universalism”, but I honestly could not pick out what was wrong with the theology in the book. I’ve since read this review by Tim Challies that picks apart the poor theology found in the book. I’ve also read this response by the publisher of the book to much of the criticism floating around.

Here’s why I think I missed the “poor theology” (I’m putting that in quotes because I agree with the publisher’s response that much of what is argued as incorrect theology, or heresy, is poor interpretation on the part of the reader) in the book. I wasn’t approaching the book as an allegory or story of all of Christianity: creation, God, Trinity, salvation, works, sin, and any number of other things that make up Christian theology. I have my own theological framework, I wasn’t looking for another one and reading this book didn’t change any of my ideas, which aren’t necessarily right or wrong and I’m willing to change them if I feel they are wrong. However, I picked things out that seemed true to me or made me think a little deeper about things. Things like trusting God fully. Loving God. The love of God for me. The relationship I claim to have with God and what a true, more complete relationship could look and feel like. I think the book does a great job at making God’s love personable. I don’t think that diminishes God any more than everytime we try to think of him we diminish Him due to our limited human brain function and understanding. We won’t truly understand or know God until we are in his presence.

Does the book promote universalism? I don’t believe so, but it does clearly state that God’s love is universal, which is a solid truth.

3. Here is my one concern: that people will replace the Bible with The Shack. There are a lot of comments out there that the book has changed their lives completely. I’m sure that the statement is more dramatic than it sounds from most people. We can all be overly dramatic and sensational at times and that idea tends to fade as time passes. But as I stated above I came into the book with an on-going relationship with God, I have accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus provided, I believe I am blessed by the Holy Spirit, and I have had many years of study to form some type of theological foundation. People who walk into this without that type of background will either accept this book as complete Truth or as a jumping off point to a new faith journey that I hope will lead them to the actual Truth (Jesus, the Bible). It’s the ones that stop with The Shack that worry me. As the book gets bigger are we looking at a more watered down spirituality or the deeper relationship with Christ and others?

4. I was suckered into believing the book was non-fiction. It wasn’t until the very end that I finally learned it was all fiction. Which actually made me feel better. I know that much of the story has and will continue to happen to actual people. Would I have cried as much if I didn’t believe the story was true? I don’t know.

5. I was afraid the book would be watered down, or new-age, or something more intune with Oprah’s theology than what the Bible says. But it didn’t; it didn’t keep it purposefully vague. Is the standard, orthodox view of salvation presented in a manner most Christians are used to? No, but I don’t think it was left out either, it just doesn’t look and feel like how we were taught in Sunday school — there are no color coded diagrams, no tracts with pictures, no step by step process to assure yourself you’re going to Heaven, none of that is presented in the book. The book clearly has issues with Orthodox Christianity and the box that it tries to put God in, but much like Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law but rather fulfill it I think this book isn’t looking to change Orthodoxy. I think it is meant to add to it, take away some things that maybe aren’t necessary, and remind us that we are saved by grace and not our own works. Put down our nets and follow Jesus, remove ourselves as judge and let God and relationship with Him be the center of our lives, that is clearly presented in the book and that seems the core of salvation. If that means that we lighten up a little, don’t sweat the small stuff, and begin truly loving one another as God loves us, then the book was a success.

Why are so many people’s lives being changed by the book? So what can I take from the book and apply everyday? I don’t know that there is anything. I’ve long felt that my trust in God is minimal. I speak words that are hollow at their core and then do the opposite with my actions. I think it’s encouraging that this book isn’t life-changing for me, I think it means I’m already well on that path. I’ve long realized that I have a lot to work on, I’m not perfect, I don’t have a perfect relationship with God and I am continually lost in sin. If anything, the book makes me desire to hear God more closely. Which ultimately means putting down the book, turning off the Wii, and spending time in prayer and studying the Bible. I don’t think God is going to send me a note and whisk me away for a weekend retreat with him, so I’ve got to take some initiative and desire this relationship as much as he does. I can’t keep thinking about God, that does not make a relationship, I’ve got to put forth some effort, spend some time, talk and listen, and do the things that slowly but continually turn my soul from my selfishness and towards God’s love.

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Tags: books, Chrstianity, God, The Shack, Theology