NoelHeikkinen.com

The Shack

Aug 26, 2008 Print This Post

“The Shack” (William P. Young)
Every once in awhile, I feel compelled to post something a specific topic. Today is one of those days.

I am going to post about the book “The Shack.” I don’t really feel strongly one way or another about this book, but it seems like I get 1-3 people a week either giving me a copy or asking me what I think about the book. Because of this, I’m just gonna throw my thoughts out there. Take them for what they are worth.

My Summary

I thought it was an average book both in its literary merit and its content. It was predictable and didn’t flow well. For me, that probably kept me from really getting into it. I seem to be in the minority on this one, but that’s OK with me. I think there are a few times and places I would use “The Shack,” but quite honestly not many. For instance, I gave it to a Native American “holy man” I met on a plane. I thought it was perfect as an introduction to Christianity for him based on our conversation.

My Concerns

The goal of the book was not to be theological, but in many people’s minds it teaches theology. That concerns me a bit.

The first concern I have is that I believe Scripture should always be our “filter.” I have concerns that the book leans a little heavily on “personal experience” and feeling than on what the Word teaches. Of course to be fair, he was trying to write an allegorical tale, but because of the subject matter the subtle digs on the church / those who find direction in the Word alone are a little concerning. I agree with the book when it talks about seeing God in creation (he is after all the creator), but not at the expense of the Bible.

Another concern I had was the authority issue. If I remember right (it’s been awhile since I read the book), it downplays God’s role (and corresponding authority) in the Trinity. That subtle message begins to cause us to not see the value and importance of God given authority in the church, family, and government.

Things I Liked

The author of “The Shack” clearly states in interviews that this was a book written to his children to tell them about God and was not meant for wider distribution. I don’t know his children, but I know that as a father I want my children to know God. Each of them are in a different place in their journey and the stories I would use to tell them about God would differ. That helps me to offer him grace on some of the issues I have problems with because he knows his children and I don’t.

I love the picture painted in this book of God relentlessly pursuing the main character. I need to be reminded of that again and again in my life.

The picture of forgiveness and how important it is not only for those who have sinned, but those who have been sinned against was cool. Too many people I know stay chained to other people’s sin and can’t see that forgiveness is the way to break that chain.

Final Thoughts
Great and godly men and women disagree with me on this and I’m OK with it. If you liked the book, cool. If you didn’t, fine. Just make sure that you examine everything you read through the lens of Scripture. Of course, you should do that with anything you read…including Scripture.