Comments on: Some Thoughts on the Shack Book

By: Heidi M

Heidi M — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:41:51 +0000

I LOVE that he described God as a black woman! Of course, that is not the point. But, still…

The Shack helped me put new words to my understanding of pain and God’s involvement. It challenged my theology in a way that was at moments uncomfortable but that’s something I enjoy. I have nothing unique to add to your post. If I were as smart as you, I would have written the same review. Seriously. I agreed with every single statement.

By: cloften

cloften — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:23:34 +0000

Melissa, Heidi has read it, and she definitely read it through her English major grid. Shoot her an e-mail and I’m sure she would give you her thoughts.

Jules, thanks for the great word.

By: Jules Rusinowski

Jules Rusinowski — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:44:04 +0000

I liked The Shack. Yeah, it was weird sometimes and not theoligically sound, but what I got out of it was how God loves us right where we are at.
God revealed Himself as a black woman, because the main character wouldn’t accept God as a father figure, because of his bad experiences with the father/son relationship.
It reminded me how God persues a realationship with us. He loves us and wants to lead us into a loving relationship with Him. I can see in my life, way before I acknowledged God, that He was working in my life situations to lead me little by little until I realized and was able to accept Christ as my loving Savior and Lord.

By: Melissa Simpson

Melissa Simpson — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:39:55 +0000

Charlie, has Heidi read it? I just wonder her take on it since we English majors are pretty “un-shockable” as far as content goes and near impossible to offend if something is used for a sound literary purpose.

I have not read the book, but it’s on my list. My concern is the same one I have with Da Vinci Code: people do not seem to realize that fiction means just that: fiction, not true, made up.

By: cloften

cloften — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:32:04 +0000

Niki B, I have not read that book, so I can’t speak to that book specifically. A couple of things though: first, just because a book is “Christian” doesn’t mean what it teaches honors God or represents Him well. I tend to discount all books, teachings, etc. that tell me about the “one thing.” Second, there is no law that says you have to finish a book. If you want, I can check into it. You could bring your copy to me and I could look it over.

By: Niki B

Niki B — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:13:31 +0000

Have you read his book “he loves me”? I am really struggeling with it. I know God loves me but he portrays it as the only thing that really matters. He doesn’t put any stock in using projects or groups from churches. But I guess that I am all about works for the church because that is how Christ works through youto reach others. However I just feel he discounts too much. I know we love and respect God but is it ok to have a small amount of fear of Him? Maybe I’m wrong and I still have more to read but right now I don’t feel that I am 100% in belief with what this author isportraying…

By: brad

brad — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:17:51 +0000

I was totally duped! I thought i was picking up a great buzz-worthy fiction novel, one full of plot and interesting characters (which the first 50 pages were). But then i start noticing, “He’s got an agenda!!! Dangit!!”

So that’s I left it– pretty disappointed that the little story it had was meant to serve the author’s valid thinking regarding a very, very deep and difficult topic that we won’t understand fully this side of heaven. For where I was at, I wanted less sermons better disguised behind a better story.

By: Judy Best

Judy Best — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:44:50 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, feeling stretched to an even more real faith in God than I could ever have imagined. I know it wasn’t theologically right throughout, but I don’t believe the author’s intent was to steer us wrong, but instead draw us closer to God. I too don’t recommend this book to everyone, but I find myself suggesting it to others quite often.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:41:19 +0000

Charlie, you did a great job handling a sensitive subject. If it matters, I see the book and its issues about like you did . . . but my biggest concerns have been created by the number people I heard recommending it that actually thought it was a true story.

What?

I can guarantee you’ll leave “The Shack” with bad theology if you don’t realize it’s a work of fiction, but such is life in the internet age, I believe. We’ve lost the ability to exercise discretion, reason, and common sense.