I've just finished reading William P Young’s ‘The Shack’ and, from looking on the web, can see that this this book has generated a lot of energy (including heat!). Somehow I had missed all this and only became aware of the book when I saw it by chance in W H Smith's in Manchester Airport when we were flying out to Hungary in August to help with a children's mission. So I had no preconceptions about it and avoided all the hype.
I'm not going to go into detail about the story for fear of spoilers - but from my own perspective I would definitely recommend it. You need to keep objective though - it is just a story. It's not scripture or necessarily even great literature (though Eugene Peterson in his endorsement suggested that it ‘has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!’). Indeed theologically it may at times veer into unorthodoxy (lack of hierarchy in the Trinity for one). But, in my view, that's to miss the point.
This is where I tread on thin ice. At times it is possible for people of faith (I hate the word religious) to aim to be so right that they become wrong. Twenty years ago I would have described myself as a card carrying evangelical - but the older I get, the more I realise that all our systematic understandings of theology are at best only approximations of truth. It's not what you know or believe but who you know that matters in the end. Transformation comes through relationship with The Father/ Son/ Holy Spirit and fellow believers on the Way. Life is a journey - you don't arrive when you become a Christian, you walk through a door. In God's eyes some significant things happen but the work of transformation continues.
This, for me, is where The Shack hits home. It is inspirational/ motivational in the best sense. It encourages you personally to enter into a more intimate relationship with God, especially as Father. At the same time it deals with some of the stumbling blocks that as 'recovering' human beings we all face/ experience to greater or lessor extents in our lives. Scripture teaches that in Jesus we can know what the Father is really like. But is that really how we relate to God in our regular Monday to Saturday lives. Young's depiction of God in The Shack shakes our preconceptions. Do you really believe that he/she 'is especially fond of all' of his children? Are you able to call God 'Abba', or "Daddy', like Jesus did? Each of us will respond to different aspects of the story, but this is what struck a chord with me on a first reading
Another criticism that I've seen online is of implied universalism. All I would say on that hot potato is that again I believe that God's love and ability to redeem his damaged creation is much greater than my definitions sometimes allow. Interestingly, in his postscript the author quotes George MacDonald and the Inklings as among his inspirations. That made me ask who were my 'spiritual' inspirations (humanly speaking). Many, but top of the list would be Simone Weil, George MacDonald, John Wimber and William Barclay. At least two of those (MacDonald and Barclay) have, rightly or wrongly, had the accusation of universalism levelled at them. At the end of the day though, if we are co-operating with God in his masterwork of restoring humanity and creation, does it actually matter? One of the quotes that struck home to me in the book is that 'God is a verb' - it is the core of God's nature to be doing. He is the active ingredient that transforms from the inside - not a passive external observer. God cares about us and his creation. Enough for Jesus to limit himself, become a man and embrace the cross. A deeper appreciation of that truth has the power to transform our lives
I will shortly be leading an Alpha Group (for new christians/ seekers) and my instincts are, while pointing them toward scripture, to recommend it. Sometimes the heart needs to lead the head. In human terms if the blood flow stops the brain dies. Increasingly we are having to think about new ways of getting the gospel across to people. There's still a place for solid bible study (neglected I would argue) but that, for many people, comes later in the journey. Once again, the heart of the Christian faith is a relationship not a list. We are not under law, we have grace to enter.
4 comments:
Enjoyed your review of "The Shack" Thank you for taking the time to share.
I was not in total agreement with The Shack (I am not in total agreement with several of my favorite authors).Any book that includes conversations with God is bound to receive criticism. How can anyone put words in God’s mouth? But this is one moving book! I smiled, cried, pondered, prayed, and repented as I read ( I have been hurt a lot in churches so I was profoundly impacted.). I read it twice and now listening to the audio. Amazing! Be sure to check out "The Shack Blog and Forum.
I wrote a lengthy review on blog. Please visit.
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/my-review-of-1-ny-times-best-seller-the-shack/
Blessings,
Robin @ HeartofWisdom
I've got to say, thanks to you I've read the shack. I was one of those unfortunate souls that only heard the hype, and was repelled to read it when I heard the premises of the story (the main character is the victim's father, and that the girl gets murdered). Being a parent of two young children I didn't need to spend time entertaining those fears that already existed.
Well, I've been blessed with many of the George MacDonald books as of late, and your blog caught my eye. Then I was intrigued. I'm no longer in a place that I get affected easily by serious drama, though I still avoid horror movies, so I thought I give it a try.
Now that I'm done reading for the first time, I'd have to say that I agree with what you said and what Robin from Heart of Wisdom so eloquently reviewed. Most of the criticisms have to do with people that reacted to the siren words and didn't keep in mind that this book is FICTION! I loved the book's humorous parts and the stress on relationship!
Good Fiction ought to drive us closer and make us yearn for a closer understanding of God. This book certainly fills the boot.
I am just beginning to read The Shack but I had the privilege of hearing the Author speak several weeks ago when he visited us in Adelaide. I have to say that his own personal story is quite remarkable and if you have the opportunity he is well worth hearing.
In defense of the book - he did stress that it was not theology but allegory, but I will hold my opinion until I read it.
More generally on your blog entry - I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about relationship. GM indeed greatly influenced my thinking when I was in my teens and has informed my world view ever since (some 35 years since). To call GM a universalist is to miss the point entirely - indeed some of my main line friends look at me askance occasionally.
As for Alpha - when well run it is a great tool. I ran Alpha courses for a number of years and saw some great things happen in the courses.
Your review of "The Shack" is balanced, honest and reflective of an understanding and grace for all. I read the book last Spring and loved it! I truly believe that we begin to come into more and more truth as we know our 'Father.' GM's writings certainly speak to that as well. The negative reviews on "The Shack" on Amazon are surprising to me as readers are so stirred up and it is hard for me to understand why. Thanks for a great post!
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