I never want to be one of those “bandwagon” Christian guys, but I have to say, The Shack by Wm. Paul Young in one of the most amazing books I have ever read. Aside from the BIBLE, it has drastically changed my perceptions about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and my place within God’s Creation more than any other book.
In The Shack, we join Mack Phillips as he wrestles with the question of “If God is SO good, why do bad things happen?” Mack’s daughter Missy was abducted and murdered and Mack is left to pick up the pieces. Mack, like many of us, struggles to find understanding why God would allow such pain and sorrow. This first 1/4 of the book was very difficult to read, many times I found myself crying. And as Mack’s story unfolds, we experience his transformation, as he interacts with God in a most unusual way.
Here’s the thing…I have given my life to God and try to communicate the goodness, the forgiveness, the greatness, and sovereignty of a mighty Redeemer….but all I have done doesn’t come close to what I experienced by reading The Shack. It challenged my preconceptions of God and how He loves His creation. I’m not willing to completely base my entire theology on the writings of WM. Paul Young, but I do believe that “Willie” has a view of God (Papa) that I desperately WANT to be true.
The thing that grabbed me the most was the logic of Mr. Young’s vision of how the Trinity interact with each other and with Their creation. Is the book Scripturally accurate, yes. Does it take liberties with how God is portrayed? Yes. Does it challenge the conventional theology of modern day church? Yes. Does is teach in parable as Jesus taught? Yes. Does it deserve the GOD HATE-BASHING from the EXTREME religious right? No. (And to those people I say: Chill Out – if you think that God is in Heaven just waiting to distribute his judgment upon a sick, disturbed, and deserving world….Be careful, you may not like it when He drops a lightning bolt on your asses!)
Look, this is an amazingly heartfelt story of how much God loves us and how far He is willing to go to lavish that love. It will touch you and if you allow it to speak to your heart and change you, The Shack will accomplish it’s purpose, God will be honored, and the Name of Jesus will be praised…and isn’t that what it’s all about?
I have been hearing about this book a lot lately. Everyone at work has been talking about it, and now I see this post. Wow, I guess I need to find a copy and read it. Thanks for the review. God is speaking to me in all kinds of ways lately.