The Shack by William P. Young
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Book Summary Author: William P. Young Edition: Paperback Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published) Published: 2007-05-01 ISBN: 0964729237 Number of pages: 256 Publisher: Windblown Media |
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Book Reviews of the The Shack
Customer Review: A review in response to a review.
Summary: 5 Stars
Reading the forward of this book I think one needs to realize that William Young isn't trying to sell some great theology. He makes it clear that this story is not perfect. I am a Pastor... I've been to Seminary. Sure their are things I could pick at through out the Shack... but then I would have missed the point of the book. Our ultimate source of truth is God's written word in the bible. If you are a true believer than that is a foundational given. No contemporary author's work is as permanent or as essential as God's word. Also we need to realize that we all have bias when it comes to our interpretation of God... he Says as much in the Shack. We all interpret God through our own lenses much of the time (including Tim Challies) ... instead of the ideal of seeing him through his word. All William Young has done is take those interpretations... concepts... ideas of his experiences and thoughts and put them down on paper in the form of a novel. This is not a theological text book. It is a fictional story. If one takes it as the word of God itself... well, then they have bigger problems than just a book.
Things I don't have a problem with in the book:
I don't have a problem with Papa. The large Black woman. I think its a beautiful illustration. Sure most of Scripture is spoken in the Masculine... it was also written in a Male dominated and God in His wisdom took that into account... however we should not be offended by the concept of God in the feminine. Firstly God is not male or female. Secondly Scripture refers to God in feminine tones on occasion. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)
Genesis 1:27 So God created man (referring to mankind) in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and FEMALE he created them. - Both the masculine and feminine are part of God's image!
I don't have a problem with his description of the trinity... for two reasons. This is a story... these illustrations are important literary tools that are part of the telling of a story. Secondly scripture itself speaks of three very distinct people all being one God all part of that unity in equality. We're not talking polytheism... William young was in essence relaying what scripture itself was says. We as Christians become so nervous to step outside of what religion says about God. We get hooked on the tradition of the church instead of the wasteful magnificence of a relationship with Jesus Christ... our creator. The telling of the fall of man in Genesis speaks of a broken relationship with God. A friendship (where God is the initiator) that was seemingly forever ruined. Through Jesus that friendship was restored. Sadly many..many believers look more like somber dutiful pew-zombies than passionately grateful friends with their creator!
This book isn't about perfect theology that fits in a neat ribbon tied box... It's about a broken feeble believer ...William Young... in his own way through his own faith trying to shine a humble little flashlight on his tiny understanding of His immeasurable maker. It's dirty... and broken and imperfect and beautiful. It comes from an honest heart... saying, "God... I don't understand you.... not even a little... but do I dare to try... to find a deepness in the relationship and friendship that you made possible with your son." I don't know about anybody else, but I get so tired of "Playing church".... I'd take the messy relationship that I don't understand, can't explain in words, and get wrong or missunderstand constantly... ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!