The Shack

This month I joined the hundreds of thousands of people who have read or are reading the book, The Shack. I have to admit, I was hesitant at first. I'm not usually one to jump on a bandwagon. Actually, I usually avoid all bandwagons as much as possible. And I had heard so many mixed reviews of the book that ran the gamut from some people absolutely praising the work to others questioning its theology. I suppose the main factor that pulled me toward the book was the fact that it is basically the biggest self-publishing phenomenon of the century (I realize we're not all that far into this century, but you get what I mean). As someone who works in the publishing industry, I couldn't help myself but to explore why so many people have been magnetically drawn to this story.

I'm only half way through, but I continue to be intrigued by this little book. I don't want to give too much away but I'll share that the main character encounters the trinity (God the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit) at "the shack", represented by three very unique and quirky characters. Do I think it is theologically sound to use a big, black woman named Papa to represent God the Father? Not completely. But I'm lead to ask the question, does that really matter? Surely it isn't the physical make up of God that matters (seeing as how He doesn't actually have a physical make up) but rather how the heart and character of Him are portrayed. I'm sure it's much easier to accept C.S Lewis' character of Aslan as a picture of Christ because a lion has been used to represent God in the Word and beyond.

As I was reading last night, I came to a very tender moment in the story where Mack (the main character) is sitting and talking to Jesus (represented by a Jewish Carpenter named Jesus - not a huge stretch of the imagination). Mack tells Jesus how it's so much easier to talk to him than God (Papa or Elouisa as "she" is also called - let's not get into the gender thing ok?) and the Holy Spirit (an Asian woman named Sarayu). Jesus responds by explaining to Mack that he is meant to be the relational "arm" of the three. He explains that he (Jesus) encompasses all of the best of the character of God and the Holy Spirit and is meant to make those things tangible and relational for people (I am completely paraphrasing here based on what I took away from the text). I'm still chewing on all of the theology involved here but I closed the book and went to sleep with such a tender image of my Jesus. Without over thinking the theology involved, this conversation allowed me to imagine such an accessible savior. . . one that allows the very supernatural nature of God and the Holy Spirit to be right within my grasp. Suddenly, the love of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit seems a little more real to me.

I figure if this story can open my eyes, it's likely that the eyes of many have been opened to such relationship. And I'm only half way through! Again, I am not saying I agree with every aspect of the method or the story line, but it seems to me this book is simply striking an emotional chord with people who want to see God more realistically. I'm sure many non-believers have picked up this book as well. I pray they will take every bit of truth out of its pages and turn that revelation into a real relationship with Christ.

I'm sure I'll post again before I'm done reading The Shack. But I've been struck so hard already by this book, I just had to share. I recommend anyone picking it up. . . but make sure you read it with an open mind!