The Shack
I just finished reading The Shack. And I’m not sure what to think. Honestly, I think I need to reread it.
The Shack is really a book about God and spirituality but it is woven in through what starts off as a sad storyline. The main character, Mack, is grieving for his daughter who was murdered four years earlier. He has seemingly shut down and the rest of his family isn’t doing much better.
Without giving too much away, he is invited to a shack for the weekend by God. I know what you are thinking…what? Admittedly, the premise is crazy. But as a friend pointed out, the ending gives the reader an out if it is just too much to handle.
The book proposes different ideas on things like forgiveness, what it means to be “Christian”, and even how God appears to Mack.
Normally not the type of book I read but I think it paves the way for some interesting discussions with others who have read the book. I won't lie, I found it challenging to read. There is a lot of dialog about a lot of big ideas.
If you want to know more about it before delving in, check out the website associated with the book at www.theshackbook.com . You'll find it to be a hotbed of discussion. There are lots and lots of very strong feelings about whether or not the book is on track.
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I was intrigued
by the cover of the book at Costco and have been waiting for it to come out at my local library.
What is it that's developing in the big ideas area?
Is it written as fiction
The cover
is eye catching. It is just a beautiful photo/illustration.
@mjc2020 - I guess when I say "different" ideas maybe there are just different to me. For example, when talking about forgiveness, it always seems like there is a pronouncment and then you are done with it. But the book challenges this idea and Mack learns that forgiveness is work everyday. It isn't done with one pronouncment. Maybe I get that from my Swedish Lutheran upbringing.
@MtnMom - It is a work of fiction, however the author indicates in the book and even on the website that part of the book come from his life experience. He is trying to keep us guessing I guess.
The Shack
A couple of weeks ago I was "shacked." The book ("THE SHACK") arrived in my mailbox in a brown paper envelope from "papa's love.com" and I hadn't ordered it. I'd never heard of it. I was intrigued. Didn't have any idea where it came from. But I began reading. . . and I, too, had to review after I finished it but it suddenly made sense as I re-read.
Then I discovered how I could "shack" someone else. Free. I could surprise another reader with a fine novel. (One can donate toward the cause of "shacking" or you can send a gift to someone free.)
In the story, Mack spends the weekend with the Trinity. God (known as "Papa") turns out to be a lady. A black lady. I hesitate to tell you more. . . just READ and ENJOY! Remember, it's fiction. You may be glad I reminded you of this!
ray stone
I browsed through The Shack at a local bookstore and ended up reading about four chapters plus the ending. VOOOM! Powerful. Creative. Controversial. Despite some awkward sentencing and some obvious theological loopholes, the book is a stunner. If Young was trying to be theological correct, he failed miserably and has misguided his readers. But if he wanted to soften many of our views that God is an auster, cruel, insensitive Spirit, deteached from human suffering and often times orchestrating it, he accomplished his job. I believe that the greatest lesson in the book is the power of forgiveness. The work is certainly and purposely out of the box. Heretical? That will always be a cause to debate. For an equally powerful work check out “A Step Into Deliverance” by T. Pugh. It is scriptural and controversial -about a pastor’s journey down the road to the deliverance ministry. A real page-turner!