The Shack

What an astonishing range of reactions Wm. Paul Young's little novel The Shack has provoked. The enormous number and variety of reviews suggest it is either a great work of literature comparable with Pilgrim's Progress if not the Bible itself; or worthless garbage on the grounds of its being: (1) anti-Christian and deceptive; (2) anti-intellectual and theologically bankrupt; (3) very weak literature that is: (a) arcane, ill-constructed, mush-mouthed tripe; (b) too simplistic; or (c) ponderous, impenetrable, and jargon-heavy. I don't agree with any of the above assessments, so let me propose a different one. The story of Mackenzie "Mack" Allen Phillips is presented as if ghost-written by his friend Willie; I think those who criticize the book on literary grounds are failing to allow for this nuance. The story has been accurately described many times in other reviews so I'll avoid repetition. For a father to lose a beloved child is hard enough; for this to happen in the way described in the book - her abduction by a mass murderer while the father was only feet away - would be as difficult an event to bear as almost any I could conceive. However strong someone's faith in God, these circumstances would surely test that faith to the full as is portrayed in Mack's "Great Sadness" and tension within his family. As a suicide counselor I heard countless people ask "Where was God?" in response to changes in their lives less profound than the fictional Mack's so I can relate to the issue on a personal level. For those who slam the book as anti-Christian I have this to say. It is a work of fiction; I thought of the events described at the shack as an elaborate dream that Mack experienced not as "real" even in the context of the story. But what is special about this dream (or real events if that is how others read the story) is that the experiencing of it brings about real and necessary changes in his life and those of his family. His faith in God is restored along with his engagement in the world and his ability to forgive; in fact his life is transformed by the experience for the better. I cannot see anything about this that could be described as anti-Christian; it is exactly what Christ asked of us. This is a short novel; I read it in under three hours. In no sense could it be expected to serve as an apologetic in the style of a CS Lewis, a Keller or a Copan. But it would be a mistake to dismiss the theology in the book, which at times is quite profound. Here's an example from p.127: "broken humans center their lives around things that seem good to them but will neither fill them nor free them. They are addicted to power, or to the illusion of security that power offers. When a disaster happens, those same people will turn against the false powers they trusted." Another is found on p.137: "Then is it's you who determines good and evil. You become the judge. And to make things more confusing, that which you determine to be good will change over time and circumstance. And then, beyond that and even worse, there are billions of you, each determining what is good and what is evil. So when your good and evil clash with your neighbor's, fights and arguments ensue and even wars break out ... And if there is no reality of good that is absolute, then you have lost any basis for judging. It is just language, and one might as well exchange the word good for evil." These extracts capture very well the reasons why we must not act as judges - which is one of Christ's strongest messages to us. Those who claim the book brings God down to our level or puts him in a box are missing the point of the narrative: I suggest they re-read it bearing in mind the points I have made above. All we know of God is that we know almost nothing - except that he is all good, all loving and merciful. So the fact that Young's allegory (actually that of the character in his story) for God may differ from someone else's is not valid ground for criticism; rather it should cause one reflection upon exactly why we feel that we have God figured out better than another person. The God described by Mack with Willie's help is clearly capable of appearing in whatever form suits his purpose; those who insist that God appear as portrayed in the Old Testament are actually more guilty of the "God in a box" error than Young. If it had achieved no more than warming the heart of a veteran (thank you Timekeeper Dave for opening your heart to us) this would be a worthwhile contribution to literature. That it has brought the faith debate down from the ether and into everyday conversation makes it especially valuable and I recommend it to anyone with an open mind.

Book review on the shack a shack in the winter a girl gone a poet in every chapter about life. This book is called the shack by William P Young a Christian book that teaches of you about the importance of forgiving the ones that had made mistakes no matter what mistakes they made this book is how a man named Mac and how his young daughter died, and he must learn to forgive the people that have hurt him something that moved the story forward is how it started gets kidnapped while they’re camping and they didn’t end up finding her but they find the dress and her blood so this leads to how he gets so upset over the grief he goes looking for her trying to find the guy that killed her then he ends up seeing this house in a spring feeling which confuses him due to the weather being winter then he meets God and God tells him it is important to forgive no matter what so they’re working and on their way to forgive the person that killed her they eventually find her and then she forgive because even though what he did was wrong. It is still right to forgive people that would appeal to this would be teens or adults that need more of an understanding of why God wants us to forgive and why it is still important and people that just want a general understanding of no matter how bad that someone did something it’s still important to forgive it really good strength about this book is how it really does describe and it’s easy to print pictures in your brain. It’s also really good for people to get a general under standing of how and when something isn’t there it could be there no matter where a person or God isn’t at still watching you and protecting you a weakness would be how it describes some of the stuff that it might be sad for some readers, it is a sad book, but it is still very thought through the dialogue starts to really make sense after you get the understanding and the concept of why is important to forgive and after you see what happened to this man too, Mac it really does make the dialogue. Make sense I really did like what the author did revealing characters because it brought out some of Max pass so we were able to see what happened to him as a kid and see what happens or what we get a better understanding of max life. I did like how some of the decisions seemed realistic, but it showed what some might actually be feeling when or if this were to happen to another person‘s life and it would really does bring out another person might be feeling that made it more exciting to read because of how we were able to see how it made this guy feel so the more we went on in the story it was able to make them understand why this other person might do did in the story I really do enjoy this book because of how it makes it seem that it is true and what happened sometimes so important to forgive and to get a general understanding of what God is this is a really great book because of the suspense at the end and the suspense that the ending just leaves exciting and how it leads all up to this and just it makes it more enjoyable to be able to see from a perspective so the ending is something you might not guess the shack by William P Young

I'd heard of The Shack a long time ago but never really considered reading it at the time. I'll admit, I became more interested when I learned it was going to be a movie. My personal rule of thumb is that I always have to read the book before I see the movie since there are so many more details in books than movies can possibly cover. I've also developed a fondness for Christian inspiration and Christian fiction books which was another incentive for me to read this book! The Shack is a fiction novel set in the Pacific Northwest and the main protagonist is Mackenzie (Mack) Allen Philips. Four years ago, Mack and his children were camping when his youngest daughter, Missy was abducted and everyone believes she may have been murdered. Understandably, Mack blames himself and enters what he calls his Great Sadness. His family tries to accept what has happened but Mack has issues from his childhood which also prevent him from moving forward. He also can't understand why God would let this happen, which is what many people may wonder. On a particularly icy day, Mack heads down his slippery driveway to the mailbox and discovers a note from "Papa," asking him to meet Him at the shack, a place Mack wants to avoid. He decides to go to the shack and it ends up being a major turning point in his life. I actually started this book once before I read it in its entirety this second time. The very beginning is difficult to read and digest but it's also a very essential part of the book. My mother-in--law also read it and said once you get past the first part of the book, it gets a lot easier to read. I agree with this and, once I got past the first part, I flew through it. Even though this book is a fiction novel, it felt like it could be a real-life experience. That's how much this book engaged me and made me think and feel. Mack has a lot of questions that many of us can relate to, no matter what our losses and issues are, so as he was working through his thoughts and feelings, I felt myself doing the same. Many of us have experienced loss of some kind or have questions that leave us wondering why certain things would happen to us. I've had some unresolved questions for many years and reading this book gave me some comfort that I'm not alone and God is always there. I'm so glad I read this book because I loved it and am now excited to see the movie! The book is very well-written and will make you giggle at times, cry at others and feel content. It may also encourage you to consider your own life and realize you aren't alone. If you have any interest at all in reading The Shack, I highly recommend it. I have a friend who is going to borrow it now that I'm done and she's very excited to read it as well!

A very thought provoking book. I'm glad I didn't really know the premise prior to reading as, by not knowing the premise, I was open minded going in. "The Shack" is well written and delves into theological philosophy in a manner understandable to us all. Broken out into chapters, The Shack's premise is based around one man's internal struggle with his withering faith. *** spoiler alert *** The main character, Mackenzie Phillips, has survived a brutal childhood at the hands of a nasty drunk, his father. Mackenzie tries the seminary for a while before going off to explore the world and eventually marrying Nan, with whom he he raises 5 children. Relatively happy, Mackenzie and his family go off for the weekend during which his six year old daughter Missy is abducted. *** end spoiler alert *** A seemingly divine event draws Mack back to the scene of the abduction and this is where Mack meets God, the Christian God. The philosophy starts here as God spends two days with Mack and answers his questions about Mack's life. The philosophy portrayed in the book centers around the love of Jesus and man's quest for independence. As man became independent, via the eating of the apple, man moved away from God thereby allowing for free will. Despite this, the love of Jesus is always there. For a while I struggled with the answers but, as the book moved along, I came to understand. There are so many tender moments as Mack learns how Jesus' love shapes Mack and how through that love Jesus could, but didn't, intervene in the events that saddened Mack. The author, William Young, has done a wonderful job of presenting a "workable" belief in God that does not include the need for religion. For me, personally, I can accept this more than the traditional rules handed to us via the conventional religion. It's no radical shift from the conventional belief but it focuses more on the time we're alive rather than the afterlife. The biggest drawback to the book, is that it is firmly aimed at Christians. Had the author intertwined the trinity into one omnipotent God symbol, then this book would carry meaning for many more monotheistic religions. However, this should not deter none Christians as the reader can make these changes for themselves. In summary, it's a wonderful story that provokes thought and tares at the readers emotions. It's very well written and moves along at a pace that's easy to follow and keeps us connected. This is a book I intend to read again.

The Shack I will admit that I typically do not like modern day Christian books. Most authors that I have a great deal of respect for lived in the 1800's or earlier. The gospel in present day America has been so corrupted by the world. Either the “prosperity gospel” is taught, which is one of the greatest heresies I've encountered and I’ve seen an entire family destroyed due to the lie that accepting Christ will make you "healthy and wealthy." Another common theme in modern day Christian books is that they are nothing more than a self-improvement book that mentions Jesus, and they miss the whole point of the gospel. I'll admit that when I first read “The Shack” it was because I knew a lot of people were going to ask me for my opinion, and I wanted to be prepared to explain why they should throw it in the trash.  However, I was completely shocked, and pleasantly surprised, at the author's understanding of the true Christian life. The Shack does an excellent job explaining that God does not expect us to "try our best" to live like Jesus. Consider that for one moment. Since Jesus is God and walked in perfect love, how likely is it that you, being human, could ever possibly live like Jesus? It's absurd, and if you think you can, then to say you struggle with pride would be a huge understatement. The "Good News" of the gospel is that God knows you can't just try real hard to act like Jesus, and the Scriptures make it clear that God's game plan goes far beyond a self-improvement endeavor. The glorious and liberating truth of the gospel is that Jesus' work was not completed on the cross. When we become born again, God does a miracle and places the Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself within us. Therefore, we don't have to "TRY" to act like Jesus, but rather we have to "TRUST" Jesus to do through us what we could never do ourselves; walk in perfect love and forgiveness towards others. It’s clear that William P Young understands this greatly forgotten truth in modern American Christianity, and he has a gift for communicating this truth in a way that is understandable and life transforming for those who are willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus. The criticism of his book among certain Christian leaders is unfair in my opinion. He did not set out to write a textbook on Systematic Theology, but rather a work of fiction to help others consider the deeper truths of life, such as dealing with tragedy, forgiveness, hope, trust, love, and coming to a place where “Christ IS Life,” not just a part of life. Admittedly, the way he communicates some of his concepts in this book are quite unorthodox, but if you can move past that by accepting that it's not a Theology book, but a work of fiction, you may just come to understand the true Christian life better than many of our modern day American Pastors. I highly recommend "The Shack" to everyone; from unbelievers, to new believers, baby Christians, and seasoned ministers. I have given out copies of this book to people in every one of those categories, and all of them were drawn some degree closer to the truth of God's grace & love, and knowing “Christ as Life.” In Galatians 2:20a, the Apostle Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." I have dedicated my life to teaching that concept, which Hudson Taylor called the "Exchanged Life." I teach it through counseling, and by expositional teaching (verse by verse) through the Bible, and especially through chapters 6-8 in the book of Romans. Thanks to "The Shack," I now have another resource God can use to help people understand the Exchanged Life, and I'm certain that God has used it to reach people who couldn't relate as well to expositional Bible Studies as they could to the same concepts shared through a fictional story which seized their attention. If you haven't read "The Shack" yet because you heard some Christian leader criticize it, I challenge you to lay aside your religiosity for a few hours, prayerfully ask God if there’s anything He wants to teach you through this book, read it, and see for yourself if God uses it to reveal more of Himself to you.

I read the negative reviews before I read this book. I wanted to see why so many people thought it was so bad whereas so many more thought otherwise. The issue is simplicity. People make it more complex than it has to be. This book is a work of fiction. This book nowhere claims to be The Word of God nor does it throw around buzz words and Scripture. It is the author's way of sharing what he feels in his heart is the simplicity of God; having a close and personal relationship with Him. He expands on this main point to address issues of judgement and forgiveness. It is only natural for the author to be attacked when trying to share the love in his heart with others who for whatever reason are threatened by that. So threatened that some even proceeded to attack people who liked the book (and obviously missing the points). This book will not change your life, the questions you are faced with in regard to your own faith are instead aroused, and answering them for yourself may change your life. This book does not promise perfection, Bible thump, go off on theological tangents about denominations, about why believers and non-believers cannot get along. This book does not ask you to say a prayer or urge you to be "saved" or judge the readers. So if you are looking for apologetics this book is not for you. If, however, you want to explore a creative way at looking what a personal relationship with God may be like, this book is for you. If you want a better understanding of mercy, this book is for you. If you want to know more about judgement and forgiveness, this book is for you. All too often people get caught up in man-made complexities of faith, when all God desires is a personal relationship with Him. If you are just going through the motions, don't truly trust God, can't speak from your heart when you pray, don't feel comfortable simply talking with Him; this book encourages you to revisit just how personal your relationship with God is by showing the reader how very impersonal Mack has made his relationship with God. Labels aside, people judge others harshly. One key point in this book that sticks with me is when God acknowledges Mack's judgemental, condemning nature. God gives Mack the opportunity to judge, sending some to heaven, others to hell. Mack is unsure but once he realizes that he must judge his own children, he tells God he cannot do it; He cannot condemn his own children. God gently sympathizes as He too does not find joy in condemnation. This is where God's mercy and forgiveness shine and it's a good way to drive a message home to people who could be more merciful themselves, or, know someone they would like to share this point with. The author is using a great imagination to show the aspects of God (Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit); he is by no means declaring that God IS; just a creative way to explain that God shows Himself to us in various ways to best communicate with us according to our circumstances. By no means does the author of this book claim that he is this amazing, perfect Christian and he does not claim to be teaching theology. If you allow yourself to get caught up in the nonsense you are going to miss the very basic, simple to see messages the author does a fine job of getting across. This is one man's way of driving home God's desire for intimiate relationships with each one of us, that God loves us unconditionally, that God's grace, love and mercy are so powerful, and instead of condemning others we need to remember God's mercy and forgiveness for us and show it to others. And these points, they ARE Biblical.

I am normally do not take the time to make reviews. I nearly did not with this book, either. Considering the quantity of reviews this book has, it nearly seems to be waste of time. None-the-less, "If anything matters, then everything matters." For me this book was very timely and helpful. As I read it, I found my heart yearning to know a God of love more and more. Time and time again I would have to stop reading and cry. Why? Simple. For me, no matter how hard I try not to, I keep turning God into something that he may not be - a harsh task master. Oh of course I know God is love. Sure I do. I've read it and heard it a thousand times - I've preached it to others as well. But I know now again what I have known before. I barely believe it. Because of my own destructive nature, I always gravitate to the sides of God I perceive as harsh. God, in effect, for me, is more like a military drill instructor. "Get up and move soldier! Stop whining! Because I love you darn it!" And I never really let my heart believe for a moment that I am free and loved, that God takes pleasure in the things I do - that I don't have to dot every I and cross every T to prove to God that I love him so he will spare me. I am of works in every way - only I call it "grace". So I see once again how truly lost we are as humans. Every good thing, we destroy by our nature - even God's grace. In unintentionally allowing myself for a spell to dare begin to believe in such a God as is characterized in this book, while being lost in this story as in some fairy tale, I found myself falling apart and weeping bitterly. I want so desperately to be loved like this. Who doesn't? Of course all of my theological knowledge put on its battle gear and began to remind me of how and why the God characterized in this book was not the true God and I am getting into grievous and soul-endangering error. Whatever. Let's see, the God in this book is one of infinite tender love, care, compassion, understanding, and wisdom. Surely this sounds like heresy right? The real issue is the same we all struggle with. How can these things be true in consideration of other images of God revealed through biblical text, particularly in the Old Testament. Then someone argues that the wrath of God had not yet been satisfied and I point out that he struck two individuals dead for lying in Acts Chapter 5. I can't explain these things. But it is interesting to me that I have difficulty in believing in a God of love in consideration of harshness displayed at times. Why would it not be the other way around? Why is it I don't have trouble believing in his harshness in consideration of his love? That alone I think tells me something. What I know again by virtue of reading this book is that love is the way - that I need very much to be loved - that I need to let go and trust in God and quite striving to prove myself worthy of his love. If by any means I can find a way to do this, I trust I will be made well, little by little. I want to feel alive inside. I want to have joy, hope, and peace. I don't want them as a laundry list of things I use to describe what I have in God ( because I was told I have them, though I don't really); I want them experientially. I want the promises. This book has helped to open my heart just a little to believe once again that it may just be possible. In terms of literary value, I thought the book was well-written and I enjoyed it as the first work of fiction I have read in, well, longer than I can remember. Read the book.

Many pertinent questions about God are addressed throughout this life-changing book. The Shack offers many insightful and scriptural thoughts about God, yet opponents of the book see it as an "abomination" because it seems less than main stream, conventional, or traditional in THEIR (not-so-humble) opinion. Most of the criticism over the book comes from those that have God in some "box" that they have created for Him with their finite minds and western mindset. God cannot be comprehended by our human intellect, and as much as some would have you believe they have Him all figured out, this is not possible. Even our interpretation of His Word is fallible therefore we'd do well to tread lightly on the topic of God. Much of the controversy comes from those that haven't even read the book, but primarily from those that feel that they are to be "watch dogs" for the Christian faith. I am always very concerned about anyone that I feel is being critical or judgmental of another, especially when the criticism is of another brother or sister in Christ, just because it doesn't fit someone's narrow view of all things God. Using phrases like the book is an "abomination from beginning to end." Such as the statement made by The Bereans. This is incredible to me! For someone to criticize so strongly is bad enough one Christian of another, but the man wielding these harsh words admitted that he had NOT read the book! He called it "blasphemy of the worst sort." That attitude not only SHOCKS me, but DISTURBS me, since it reminds me of the Pharisees and "religious people" of Jesus' day! Jesus was neither conventional nor traditional and didn't fit in their boxes for a Savior either, and they rejected His message too; straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel. The interview I heard, the Berean leader being interviewed, stating that the "writer should tremble because he is going to stand before God." Yikes, mister, we will all stand before God . . . and The Bible says, "We will give an account for every unwholesome word we have ever spoken." My Berean friends from this interview are dangerously casting stones. I do not feel comfortable judging another man's work. I am more interested in bringing people together than I am in dividing people. I am working hard to DRAW people to Christ, not polarize Christians and divide those that already call Him Lord. I know that they seem to think we can't see the truth from a lie without their help, but their God is my God too. He is more than able to "lead me into all truth" therefore I do not need them to tell me what is WRONG everything, and some people do seem to find something wrong with everything. I believe this is a huge disappointment to God for the use of their time here on earth. The old gentleman in this interview (in my opinion) is way off base, especially if he thinks that what is written in The Shack "corrupts the mind", or "corrupts the heart" because that couldn't be farther from the truth. I am shocked that he feels so confident in his opinion of this book that he has never read, and the others whose names that he mentioned with contempt calling what they are doing for Christ "Apostasy and Blasphemy!" Wow, I wish I was that close to God or that sure of everything that I believe, but I am of the opinion that none of us are as perfect as we seem to think we are, or as worthy to sit in judgment of another. THE SHACK is the best book that I have read in my entire Christian life and I am proud to tell everyone that I know to read it. In fact, I now have it on my must-read list for my 12-month course, Mentoring Women. I believe that God can come in any form that He needs to in order reach the hearts of those He loves, even if the so called, "watchdogs of our faith" don't like the form He chooses. He's never been too afraid of what people might think. He chose to reveal himself in burning bush, but we don't worship bushes. He chose to speak through a donkey, but we don't worship them either. His voice is like thunder some times and still small voice at others! He is God, and we are not.