I was intrigued with William P. Young’s The Shack — I had finished reading the book and was partway into writing a review (published yesterday) when I thought I’d just drop him a note, say “hey,” and see about setting up a virtual interview. It was conducted via email, but just imagine we’re all sitting around a table in your favorite independent local coffee shop. We converse for a bit, but you’ll get your comments in edgewise a little further on. For now, grab that latte you ordered, pull up an extra chair and pass the biscotti.
Bro.M.: Willie, Pardon the intrusion… I was just preparing to write a review of The Shack, which I quite enjoyed. I wondered if you had time for a few questions…
WPY: Hi Brother, would love the questions…fire away. I actually go by my middle name ‘Paul’.
Bro.M.: Okay, Paul. You had me a bit confused there… but I’m the last person who should quibble about aliases! ;^) To start right in, I found I was able to relate quickly to Mack as the father of two girls myself. Knowing before I started reading that one of Mack’s daughters is abducted and killed, I was a bit hesitant… it’s not an idea on which many of us like to dwell. My wife is hesitant to read it for the same reason — what would you say to her about the reason you chose that event as part of Mack’s background experiences? Where did the idea come from?
WPY: We went through a six month period where my 18 year old brother was killed, my mother-in-law suddenly died of a massive coronary at age 59, and my 5 year old niece was killed the day after her 5th birthday. Having 4 boys and 2 girls myself, this is a situation that moves to the heart of theodicy as an issue. It is not about politics and cannot be easily put aside – it is about pain and suffering and injustice. I didn’t choose it for graphic reasons (as it is not very graphic at all), but because it captures our focus.
Bro.M.: I was curious about people thinking the book was a true story… not that I don’t have room theologically for the notion of God appearing as he did to Mack, but it seemed clear to me that the story was more literary device than factual account. What do you think accounts for this misunderstanding?
WPY: Remember, I wrote this story for my children (not to be published), so I took some liberties I might not have otherwise. In the first draft, I even had Mackenzie Allen Phillips as the author and me as the ghost writer, but after the book got away from me and a couple people almost flew to Oregon to meet Mack, we changed it, while keeping the idea of Willie ghost-writing for Mack. Beyond that the pain, the conversations, the process and the character of God are all real, so the line gets fairly blurred at times.
Bro.M.: So it was an earlier version that people had the confusion with, then. I think the whole motif captures your focus well, as you put it… in addressing the dilemma of evil (I was going to say “evil pickle,” but it sounded like a Veggie Tales villain!) through the story of an average guy to whom people can relate, the whole subject becomes a lot less “clinical,” as some of the treatments of the subject can be. That’s a lot of pain to pack into a year and a half, and I think the fact that you’ve been too close to the subject is partly what keeps it from being so clinical in the offer of a textbook answer. Thanks for writing through the pain, and sharing it. I appreciated the way this difficult touch of realism is woven into the narrative — and lots of Bruce Cockburn references….
WPY: What can I say… huge fan of Bruce Cockburn. As far as I am concerned one of the greatest lyricists alive (and an incredible guitarist to boot).
Bro.M.: I’m with you there… I actually enjoyed the allusions to or quotes from Bruce Cockburn, Bob Dylan, Larry Norman — and then Blaise Pascal, Paul Tournier, and Jacques Ellul. It seems the book is making a bit of a splash… I’ve seen one or two mediocre responses, but for the most part it’s gotten a lot of rave reviews. Have you had anything from the other extreme, or did you expect criticism? I’m thinking of accusations of advocating lawlessness (pp.122-3 & 203) or universalism (p.225)… I think critics may be missing the point, so I’m not going to offer any criticism there, but have you had those sorts of mixed reactions? Uneasiness or criticism over language from God in the first person?
WPY: I have had a couple (2) very negative responses, and neither person would read past the first half of the book. It seems that their issue largely stemmed from some pretty unique personal abuse issues within the new-age movement, and they thought I was advocating the same. Other than that, some small gripes but overall it has been overwhelmingly positive. There have been a handful of folks who have tried to read the book like a theological textbook and found it wanting. No one has balked at God in the first person… at least that I am aware, which is rather remarkable now that you mention it.
Bro.M.: Well, I don’t want to start anything! I got criticized for it here once, but I’m probably more abrasive than you are. ;^) People need to keep the intent in mind, I guess, and understand the story for what it is. So what can you tell us about the prospect of seeing The Shack on the big screen?
WPY: Big Screen — very possible, but only if it done right. The CGI alone would be quite expensive but necessary, so this would have to be a major motion picture budget. There has been talk of that since day 1, and a couple studios initially tried to buy up the rights, but we were not ready for that conversation at the time. I would love it to happen, but only if done right. Otherwise, I am not a whit interested.
Bro.M.: Reading the book has changed a lot of people’s thinking on certain issues away from their traditional views. What did you learn from writing The Shack? How has your interaction with telling the story affected your life? Greatest lesson?
WPY: Wow…big question. Writing the book was an amazing and emotionally wrenching experience. At times it felt like stepping into a river that simply swept me away and deposited me downstream. Many of the concepts that are in the book were present in my own experience, but some of it was tentative. It was like standing at the edge of the high dive for the first time. The Shack simply came up from behind and pushed me in. The two biggest transitions from me were learning to live in the present(ce) of God, within only the single day’s grace allotted to me, and second, to have Papa’s affection for me a settled reality.
Bro.M.: I saw someone refer to the book as part of the literature coming from the emerging church, and there are a few themes in the book which would seem to fit that context. Do you think of this an “emerging church” book?
WPY: There was no intent that this be part of the emergent movement – the intent was a gift for my 6 kids. I am not a part of anything myself, so have no agenda at all about any of this.
Bro.M.: I want to quip that that’s very “emerging” of you, but I think such a description limits the book and its message unfairly… it will be appreciated by those in the emerging movement, but it really isn’t full of emerging-specific themes and ideas. Tell me, how did you approach the story… did you come up with the story arc as a means of stitching together a number of other subjects you wanted to address, or did the subjects that God and Mack touch on in the dialogue come along after the story arc was conceived?
WPY: I initially thought about doing an ‘A is for ________’ (hey kids, this is what your dad thinks about…..). But I thought that would end up being rather boring. So I started with the conversations, filling legal yellow pads with conversations as i rode the Max train to and from work (40 minutes each way). The day that I sat in front of the computer to start typing the notes into it (so I wouldn’t lose them), I still had no story. But I began asking the questions: Who is asking this question and why? And the story simply began to emerge using our own family experiences (camping at Wallowa Lake, for example). Later, I sat with three friends (Wayne Jacobsen, Brad Cummings and Bobby Downes) and we spent a couple days blocking out the story as if we were writing a screen play. That helped us see the weaknesses and strengths and helped us focus on the next 16 months of re-writing. Chapter 15 initially set the tone, and that chapter is exactly the way I penned it one Saturday afternoon in 2005. The re-writing was to raise the rest of the story to the level of Festival of Friends.
Bro.M.: Ah yes, another Bruce Cockburn reference! So what led to your decision to self-publish?
WPY: The decision was made for us…nobody would give us the time of day. Religious publishers said they liked it, but it was too edgy. Secular publishers told us they like it personally, but there was too much ‘Jesus’ in it. So Wayne and Brad created a publishing company and did it ourselves. It is all about our relationships with each other. There are no contracts, no letters of intent, no signed anything.
Bro.M.: There’s something fundamentally refreshing about that… very relational. So, will there be a followup book? What are you thinking or writing about these days?
WPY: Other book(s)…probably. I tend to gestate a while before actually writing…so I am working on a something right now…we will see. I don’t feel any pressure to produce, and I am grateful for that. I have a few projects sitting on the shelf that need some re-visiting also. Vague enough? As of today, I still have my 8-5, M-F job, some part time consulting work and a home full of family and friends, and our first two grandbabies. Papa will have to free some time up if there is more writing to come.
Bro.M.: Glad to hear it, and vague enough, yes! Keep us guessing… but don’t stop writing. Some of the comments I’ve seen suggest people might be looking for your next book(s) already, and I do see people online saying they want to read the book every year or have read it several times already. Some people are buying multiple copies or even by the case lot to give away… you may have more publishing options open to you the next time around. In the meantime, thanks for taking some time with us, Paul.
WPY: It was fun to do… thanks for the opportunity.
Read my review for more on the book itself, which I can recommend. More about Paul’s personal journey can be found at theshackbook.com, and his short bio is on his blog.
…a non sequitur from well deserved accolades here..
who were you refering to in the dedication with initials KMW?
It’s natural to set in judgement and condemn, but when we do we forget….
Judge not less you be judge…
The same way you judge will be the way you will be judged…
Whosoever is not against me is for me….
I rejoice the gospel is preached, whether our of pure motives or out of jealousy or resentment..,.but that the gospel is presented…
KNOWLEDGE puffeth up, Love builds up….
Jesus came full of mercy and grace…to serve not to be served.
I did not come to judge…but if I did judge…..
God is the only judge, not people. We are told to Love as Jesus did, not to be full of selfrighteousness, judgement and condemnation. No wonder we are a post christian nation. Christians have gotten so much like the religious leaders in Jesus’s days that I’m ashamed to call myself a Christian. The religious leader knew more scriptue that anyone and could recite more scripture than anyone, but they didn’t know God. They even killed Him. I used to be a studier and quoter of scripture doing what I saw was my duty to keep the church spotless and clean and in the process did a lot of damage, and i wasn’t alone. It’s still going on today all through the church. I’m sorry. I was wrong, I didn’t trust God to manage his own church. I was all caught up into being the perfect christian and hid my humanity so I would fall prey to others who were doing what i was doing in the name of Jesus.
Today, I’m a child of God saved by grace through the mercy, grace and works of Jesus Christ. I have no room to judge, condemn and reject anyone God has applied the blood of Jesus to. If God loves someone, then I love that same person. If I don’t then the Love of God is not at work in my Heart and soul. God’s love forgives and loves even those who might kill us. We are to Love our friends, neighbors and our enemies. Nobody is left out of God’s Love. God loves the errant brother as much as he loves Jesus. And we all are looking through a glass darkly. We are all in the process of being made more like Jesus. We can never fully be like Jesus in this life or the next, because we are creation not the creator. So we need to quit trying to look like we have arrived. We haven’t. We live and have our being in the Grace of God in Jesus Christ. We must love truth more than we love ourselves, our pride and the mask of being the perfect christian.
Love builds up, it does not judge, condemn and reject. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for not extending mercy and grace. I believe He is sad over us Christians who would rather judge and condem than Love.
Jesus said unless you remain in me you can not bear fruit . We are powerless to Love, only God is Love and only God can Love the way He wants us to Love. God’s Love is the fruit of His spirit living in us. He will bear his fruit if he is living in us. But if we don’t live in oneness with God then we are not bearing His fruit…His Love.
Christians are depending on their own ability to Love and are calling Judgement, condemnation and rejection Godliness. Christians are living in fear and pain. In this fear are not able to Love. Christians must become like little childern, who trust and experience Gods Love as a child so their hearts can be filled with Gods love so Gods Love flows out of them like rivers of living waters. We Love because He first Loved us.
The Book “The Shack” has a lot to say about trusting God and experiencing God’s love. I can see that a lot of people don’t understand what Mr. Young is saying, just like I can see that they don’t understand what God has said in His Book.
Mr. Youngs writes about having a servants heart, a heart of love, even for the person who does us the most damage. And God say’s a lot about the same loving servants heart we are supposed to have. Christians need to confess their inability to Love as Paul defined Love to the Corinthians. They need to climb into the bosum of Jesus and stay there and experience the Love of Jesus. Then the Love of Jesus will flow through them instead of their hurt , fears and selfrighteous bickering, judgeing and condemnation and rejection of those who God loves.
conclusion,
It is not of works less any many should boast.
As Paul said ,if he boast he boast in Jesus.
It’s got to be God and Gods power in us, not our own striving. God gives grace to the humble..not the striver striving to be Godly.
Question, How many hours did we spend just recieving Gods Love and experiening oneness with Jesus yesterday. If we don’t spend hours a day with God, it proves we think we can do without Him. Not studying or memorizing scripture, or preparing a lesson or a sermon Remember we are the child recieving love from our father in relationship, not in a task.
I spent the entire day reading this book as recommended to be by a friend. I am a Catholic and he grew up in Africa as a child of Baptist missionaries. We have completely different backgrounds in life and in faith. He never “warned” me about Universalism… and to be quite honest I don’t even know what that is. I don’t know New Age, New Church, Emerging anything. All I know is that this is a great book. A great book about faith. Belief, relationships, with everyone. Including God. I think most people who criticize are soley concerned with what they perceive as wrong with the book. But this is my take on it.
I really found God appearing in the image of a heavy set African American woman cooking in the kitchen quite comforting and here is why. When my stepfather died I was alone with my mother in the house that early morning. He had passed in the night and even though I was a grown married woman, had served in the military, and was well over the age of 30, I felt as helpless as child. The pastor came, the neighbors, the house was a flurry of activity, and my mother was in comforting hands and after I had made all the calls I went next door. To escape. When my mom’s neighbor answered the door (the heavy set african american woman)the aroma of home cooked food was overwhelming and wonderful. Having no children, husband with high cholestoral and buying into the “thin is beautiful” I hadn’t had a meal like that cooked in a Mississippi kitchen in a very very long time. She welcomed me in, gave me a glass of sweet tea and talked to me. She comforteed me. I was the child that came home very rarely because Mississippi just didn’t have that much to offer and I prefered to spen my vacations seeing and doing in exotic locations. This to me was most certainly a better learning experience that spending days in the hot summer in a sleepy southern town.Or so I thought. She fixed me a plate of food and listened to me and gave me the best advise on life, death, and God. She had it figured out. Her life was much simpler than mine. So I thought. Things were easier for her to understand because she didn’t have all the outside influences to distract her. What I realize years later is that she had all the same issues, complications, and influences as me. But here is the difference she had a realationship with God. And I just worshiped him. He was as abstract to me as Picasso. But for he he was a constant…support and guide. She trusted him, because she knew he loved her.
After a week I had to leave to come back to life as I knew it because it wasn’t going to stop for me or my mother’s grief. She promised me she would watch over my mother. And I believed her. I trusted her. And when I left I felt great comfort in knowing she was looking over my mother. Now, I don’t presume to say she is God. She isn’t I know. But what I do know, is that talking to her about the only things in life that really matter was a heck of a lot easier than it would have been had I been sitting across from Gandolf.
Once again, the “Christians” are yapping… I thought God was supposed to be the judge.
I was really moved by the book – in so many ways. I know almost everything there is to know about Christianity (raised Christian, went to Christian schools my whole life, attended Bible College, etc.). Plus, part of my university major is in world religions. In other words, I am well versed in all kinds of religions.
This book untwisted alot of “twisted” theology and I am appreciative.
Thank you for writing the book, Paul. It is nice to see a human heart among the masses of “Christians.”
I absolutely loved the book. Until I finished reading it and did some online research and found it to be completely fiction. For someone who knew nothing of the book to pick it up and read it, it read as if it were unproveable truth, therefore labled fiction. I have never gone to church and therefore reading the book made me think I was always right, that I did not need to go to church to be right with God. Having the ACTUAL author be purported as the “ghost writer” threw me off, to think this was real. Like I said, I loved it until after I immediatly finished it and found it to be complete fiction. I feel like I was dooped. There needs to be a note SOMEWHERE near the begining or on the back of the book that it is COMPLETE AND TOTAL fiction!!!! I feel like had I known it was total fiction I would not have invested so much in reading it. Now, I HATE the book.
I read The Shack last week and can’t stop thinking about it. I, like many or most forty year old women, have experienced great loss, and have experienced doubt and anger towards God (strangely, never Jesus). I knew before beginning the book that some “Christians” disputed and criticized the premise and details of it. After contemplating it, and I’ll continue to do so, I believe it IS a gateway book, BUT a gateway to a stronger relationship with Christ The Spirit God. I have been so confused, frustrated and furious at God for my pain that I have “cussed” at God outloud; if my neighbors had their windows open, the’d think I was at the brink of insane anger. I have questioned, “If you’re real God, why do kids die, good parents lose custody to abusers, best friends suffer horrid pain from cancer, innocent people starve etc. I completely understand that the book is fiction and realize that some fanatics or biblically ignorant individuals will blindly turn this novel into and instruction manual, but no one can stop ignorance completely. What this book does for our potential relationship with Christ The Spirit God is remind us that even with the bible, we will never, can never completely understand God- God’s power, God’s love, God’s forgiveness- God’s everything. As humans, how could we ever possibly get close to having all the answers about who God is and how God works.
Yes, there are allusions to other cultures in this novel. Yes, there are plenty of bible verses that can contradict Young’s portrayal of Christ, The Holy Spirit, God and How-it-all-works. Yes, Young is not a prophet (well, I don’t think so, but God only knows ;-). But, it does clearly and without any hesitation, speak that without Christ we have no relationship with God; God loves us beyond our understanding or ability to love anyone as much; and The Holy Spirit is God’s voice. They are three in one. The novel supports the idea that we must somehow figure out how to forgive everyone who tresspasses against us because not doing so is a festering poison that keeps us from fully connecting. And let me tell you, I have been struggling with that one every moment for 18 months. I don’t know if I can or how I can forgive one person in particular, but I know I have to try.
Young’s image of heaven and our possible reuniting with our loved ones but most importantly Jesus Christ The Spirit God, is not new- let alone New Age. It’s heaven; who knows what it looks like or how Humans are when they are no longer human. The novel doesn’t contradict heaven as described in the bible, it fills in detail that remains a mystery to us. Human beings do that; we imagine and wonder about everything we don’t have all the answers to until we do have the answers. Young isn’t claiming (I don’t think) to have all the answers to Christ The Spirit God. He just shared his imagination about all the things he doesn’t have proof of with his kids and with his readers. If I ask my son to draw a lotus flower, which he’s never seen, and he draws something that doesn’t resemble a lotus flower, I can show him the flower and he will draw it like the flower appears; If I ask him to draw what he believes heaven looks like, I am not going to say “That’s wrong!” and cover my eyes fearing that his portrayal will mislead me away from biblical teaching. I accept that the bible shows it differently and that I’ll hopefully know the real heaven someday.
Young isn’t attempting to rewrite the bible, he is just drawing a picture of what only God knows. Mostly, his story encouraged me to focus on getting rid of the “stuff” that keeps me distanced from my Savior and salvation and hoping that dispite God’s disappointment in our mistakes, CTSG wraps warm, loving and forgiving arms around us time and time again even if we don’t always recognize them.
I will continue to suggest this book to others unless The Spirit discourages me. I will also warn them not to lose sight of the fact that it is, in fact, fiction. I will tell them that I had my moments where the story was such a pleasant notion that I wondered if it might hold some truth. As a Christian do I think that Satan is capable of misleading us away from God in creative ways, yes. Do I think the book might bring more people to Christ the Spirit God than lead astray, yes. I think so, I pray so. Lord, let this fictional novel from one man’s heart lead some of your straying or lost sheep back to you, and please help others wisely realize it is not a manual, but rather an invitation to meet Christ through the original Book that teaches Christ’s life and love. In your name I pray.
By the way, Mopey, if you read the first two critic blubs on the back cover, both use the word “fiction”. Also, The word fiction is used on the very first page of the book (5th & 7th review). In addition, the word “novel” means a fictional work. Your frustration seems to be displaced. It would sadden me to think that we need bold warning print because someone might not read the back cover or know the definition of novel. It is sort of like the disappointment I feel knowing that there is a reason why the directions on a frozen dinner has to read, “Remove plastic before eating.”Even so, discovering your mistake does not seem like a rational reason to suddenly hate a story you loved moments before. What do you think?
OMG!!!!! Just got done reading The Shack, absolutely loved it. I laughed, I cried, was truly inspired. Do you have any other books that you have written? I would love to know so that I may read them too. Congrats on a wonderful story!!!!!
When we get past the notion that 1) it’s fiction and 2) that it’s an allegory, the book carries a very fresh, new way of looking at the love of God. As it stands, the evangelical movement has put God and what’s become to be evangelicalism into such tight little boxes that if anyone deviates from the narrow way of looking at things like that, it’s immediately branded as heresy, blaspheming or something worse. Perhaps it might be time to brand the ‘Left Behind’ series as the same. The story line in these books has very little in the way of biblical truth attached to them and millions of gullible people have no problem swallowing this stuff without even bothering to check them out. We need to remember that ‘The Shack’ is NOT a theological treatise but it simply draws a fresh picture of one person’s perception of the love of God as it was revealed to him. Why is that so bad?
I just finished the book and found it interesting; I was not surprised to discover from the author’s bio that he’s a fan of C.S. Lewis whose fantasy, The Chronicles of Narnia, is a delightful way to discover insights into Christ and creation that are orthodox.
Though The Shack is not a theological work some of the insights can be confirmed from a Catholic perspective.
God’s infinite love and redemption: “You must have boundless faith in the Devine Goodness, for the victory is absolutely certain. How could you think otherwise? Isn’t our God more concerned about our salvation than we are ourselves? Isn’t He stronger than hell itself? Who can ever resist and overcome the King of the heavens? What are the world, the devil, the flesh and all our enemies before the Lord?” St. Padre Pio
Relationship and Prayer: “Those who pray will go to heaven; those who don’t, won’t.” St. Alphonsis Liguori (Young’s reference to God’s invitation to relationship, which some may refuse)
Forgiveness: Christ forgave the “good thief”, Dismus, crucified with him and promised him paradise. God is more willing to forgive than we often are to ask for forgiveness. Missy forgiving the criminal who murdered her (and Mack being coached by “Papa” to forgive him) has a precedent in the true story of 13 year old St. Maria Goretti who refused and fought off the sexual advances of their hired man who then stabbed her repeatedly, sat down at the kitchen table and ate lunch while watching her die. as she was dying she spoke his name and said, Alexander, I want you to be in heaven with me.” Years later and finally repentant, Alexander asked Maria’s mother for forgiveness. The mother replied, “If my daughter can forgive him, who am I to withold forgiveness?” And a non-Catholic reference: anyone who has read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom knows of her sister’s forgiveness of the Nazi prison guard who was viciously beating her, telling her sister not to hate the woman whom she viewed as pitiful in her spiritual starvation. After the war Corrie found the grace through prayer to forgive a former Nazi whom she met on a train, if I remember correctly.
Dale Brown’s criticisms (March 31, 2008, above) are legitimate and they well express the caveat I would have in mind, but with good knowledge of one’s own faith much can be viewed as poetic license. For instance, God appearing to Mack as a black woman, done since Mack would negatively react to a man in view of his own father’s abuses and the resultant expectation that God the Father would reflect his natural father’s attitude. If one keeps in mind that these are literary devices used to convey an idea, it is not harmful. The emphasis on the community of the Trinity is good, as is the fact that through Christ we are brought into the very Life of God, communnion with the three divine persons.
I guess I was impressed overall.
I’d like to ask Jody, August 12th above, Who is “Jesus Christ The Spirit God”? Sounds like a denial of Jesus humanity, an old heresy that considers him God wearing a human costume with no real human nature. Other than that, I thought Jody’s comments good. Forgiveness is the key, though extremely difficult and in some instances impossible without God’s special grace. Read The Hiding Place.
Just for background, I am 60 years old and can relate to many of the struggles Mr. Young has experienced. I have read the comments on this blog and find that the large number of those very critical of the book are the same members of the various congregations who want to put GOD into a box and forget that GOD lives outside any box we try to put HIM in. The Holy Word of GOD was written as a LOVE story and not an encyclopedia for us to highlight and use to judge. The Shack was a great example of another method for us to try to understand the limitless love of GOD!!!
I understand after I read “The Shack” why many people found it moving and thought provoking, but after I read it, I felt impressed to ask God what He thought about it. Anyone, who has a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit understands that we serve one God with three “Essences” of His being for lack of a better word at this time.
I like to get God’s feedback and confirmation about the things I read, no matter who “writes” it because people are fallible, and we have to be discerining about what to chew on, and what to throw away. I did some soul searching about this book. I reflected on my relationship with God, the Word of God, and what it reveals about His character. And I read some comments regarding this book, and looked up some information on the net regarding some other subjects related to the arthor.
I believe that as Believers we need to be very “cautious” about embracing this book. The Lord has given me the gift of poertry, and I may be writing short stories to publish one day. I am saying this to say, that when you’re inspired to write by Holy Spirit, however creative it may be, one thing that you will want to do and not from a “complusive religious nature” is allow Him to help you as best you can, line up whatever your storyline is with a sincere desire to portray any reference to His character in a manner that is Bibically based, including you own unique experience. Of course, everyone may not be able to identify or even be interested in what you have to say.
God is not the author of confusion. If you notice when you read some of the “deep, deep”awesome prophetic revelations of Ezekial, Daniel, and Revelations God gave John, no matter how supernatural, terrible, and awesome they are, there is a Holy Spirit connection that so powerfully communicates to your human spirit that this is of the Lord (even though you may have to wait for Him to give you more revelation). It doesn’t contradict the “essence of His being”. You recognize “Papa’s” nature because it lines up with what you see in the Old and New Testament.
I am an African American woman (not that it matters to me) However, I have some real concerns about his portrayal of God as this “over weight” AA Papa/woman (turned to an old white man) and Jesus (with so much emphasis on His humaness) and the Sarayu/Asian/Holy Spirit and Wisdom Hispanic/Sophia woman (who he referenced almost like he would a sexy woman). I don’t have time to go into alot of other things here that concern me.
But, I will say that as a AA woman (Believer/Child of God is my identity). This thing with God/Her/Papa talking the way She/He/Papa did concerns me as well. (Sho’nuff, I is and all that….). Where is that coming from? I know to some extent what He was trying to portray in the book. The healing, and life lessons were very interesting.
However, God may have blessed all cultures with certain unique attributes to be used to glorify Him and bless each other, but My “Papa” doesn’t speak like a “stereotyped’ AA woman to me “ever”. And to reduce God Almighty to this level, to feel like you have to make a point like that, to me contradicts a great deal of what I think he meant to get across. There are many subtle theological things that concern me too. I think that this book “masks” some things the arthor may be really believe in a “covered” fashion.
We need to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.
(Updated) I understand after I read “The Shack” why many people found it moving and thought provoking, but after I read it, I felt impressed to ask God what He thought about it. Anyone, who has a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit understands that we serve one God with three “Essences” of His being for lack of a better word at this time.
I like to get God’s feedback and confirmation about the things I read, no matter who “writes” it because people are fallible, and we have to be discerning about what to chew on, and what to throw away. I did some soul searching about this book. I reflected on my relationship with God, the Word of God, and what it reveals about His character. And I read some comments regarding this book, and looked up some information on the net regarding some other subjects related to the author.
I believe that as Believers we need to be very “cautious” about embracing this book.
I may publish short stories one day. I am saying this to say, that when you’re inspired to write by Holy Spirit, however creative it may be, one thing that you will want to do and not from a “compulsive religious nature” is allow Him to help you as best you can, line up whatever your storyline is with a sincere desire to portray any reference to His character in a manner that is Biblically based, including you own unique experience with Him. Of course, everyone may not be able to identify or even be interested in what you have to say. (I know it ran together, but I’m just trying to make a point).
God is not the author of confusion. If you notice when you read some of the “deep, deep “awesome prophetic revelations of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelations God gave John, no matter how supernatural, terrible, and awesome they are, there is a Holy Spirit connection that so powerfully communicates to your human spirit that this is of the Lord (even though you may have to wait for Him to give you more revelation).
And not to mention brother David, and all the very human drama/tragedy/victories his life played out in the Bible, “I recogized David’s God” no matter what he was going through. It doesn’t contradict the “essence of His being”. You recognize “Papa’s” nature because it lines up with what you see in the Old and New Testament. Yes, He does have a wonderful sense of humor.
I am an African American woman (not that it matters to me) However, I have some real concerns about his portrayal of God as this “over weight” AA Papa/woman (turned to an old White man) and Jesus (with so much emphasis on His humanness) and the Sarayu/Asian/Holy Spirit and Wisdom Hispanic/Sophia woman (who he referenced almost like he would a sexy woman). I don’t have time to go into a lot of other things here that concern me.
But, I will say that as an AA woman (Believer/Child of God is my identity). This thing with God/Her/Papa talking the way She/He/Papa did concerns me as well. (Sho’nuff, I is and all that….). Where is that coming from? I know to some extent what He was trying to portray in the book. The healing and life lessons were very interesting.
Many cultural/ethnic groups have people with different dialects, accents, and educational backgrounds (placing God in an “image” (mimicking) a certain language style, that people who interact with the “real” God don’t even know Him talk that way. God is “real” enough without us trying to make Him into “our” preconceived image.
However, God may have blessed all cultures with certain unique attributes to be used to glorify Him and bless each other, but My “Papa” doesn’t speak like a “stereotyped’ AA woman to me “ever”. And I believe if the author “really” seeks God’s “mind” about this, he may get some really interesting revelation as to why it might not be a good idea to relate Him in this way.
I never needed God to be like an African American Woman/Papa/God to make me feel like I could relate to Him on any level. And to reduce God Almighty to this level, to feel like you have to make a point like that, to me, contradicts a great deal of what I think he meant to get across.
And believe me when I say, God has seen my life played out on so many levels. (I could write a book on brokeness and restoration) and His love is healing me. There are many subtle theological things that concern me too. I think that this book “masks” some things the author may be really believe in a “covered” fashion.
Let us stay truer to “Papa’s” biblical identity. Have I found out more about Him in my personal relationship, of course, but believe me it’s still recognizable.
We need to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves
Hi my name is Lisa from Canada, i do not read on a regular basis i do not enjoy reading but this is the first book i have read in a very long time. I have being going through a very difficult time in my life, 42 and im a christian but im in a very deep valley right now and this book is the only thing that has kept God in my sights, people that are against please be a little open minded, its not the bible and he is not saying its a true story he is just showing how he feels and how God gets him through and if that can help others why on earth would you not promate it to friends. Its like people want to say its a terriable book and should not read it its not promote witch craft or satinism its promoting love and relationships and that is what God wants to show us. So please rethink your attitude about the book and show love. Im on my way back to God and haveing a relationship with him again, cause no matter what i did or do i know he loves me.
Lisa
Lisa, I really appreciated your comment and how the SHACK touched you. So many well meaning Christians look at the SHACK and try to equate it to scripture. It is an allegory! GOD works outside the box that we as Christians try to put Him in. You got the main message. GOD wants relationship with you and HE died for your sins and wants fellowship with you. Keep on praying and seek out a fellowship of believers who practice grace. Blessings on you and your journey to know GOD as your savior.
If you like The Shack, you should try Forgiving Ararat by Gita Nazareth. It is a murder mystery/supernatural thriller with a wonderful Christian message. It’s about a lady lawyer who dies and goes to a sort of Limbo where she’s told she must defend souls in the Final Judgment. While she explores this amazing afterlife she’s in, she struggles to unlock the mystery behind her own murder. This is an intellectual, religious and historical journey unlike anything you’ve read before. I’m a publicist and fan of the book and I’d love to read your comments here should you choose to read Forgiving Ararat by Gita Nazareth.
I felt the story could start many people talking about God and prayer. I never forgot it was intended to be a story and the image of Papa, the loving, maternal God was one of the most comforting images I have ever conjured. However, this book will not win approval for someone cooped up in their literalness.
I thought it was interesting and researched for materials on The Shack. I noticed that this book has been compared heatedly to the likes of Forgiving Ararat by Gita Nazareth and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, as Sharon has suggested above.
I understand that the three stand on similar premise of life and death, but The Shack would be a truly religious read whereas Forgiving Ararat creates a platform for discussion and reassessment. Lovely Bones would be more similar to Forgiving Ararat albeit in a weaker voice.
I loved this book. I thought the theme of the breadth of God’s love was such an important reminder. For me, it answered so many questions, as well as opening up new ways of thinking of things. I also agree with previous commentators concerning Forgiving Ararat. This book too explores themes of judgment and forgiveness and love in the face of violence. As a fan and publicist for this book, I’m interested to see what parallels are drawn between the two.
Putting aside my disappointment in the literary quality, I was appalled at the story the father read to his little daughter of the princess that jumped off a cliff to save her people. After comparing this to Jesus giving his life to save people, the child could not get a decent answer from her father what this meant – this is too much for a little child to understand. Then, when a man came to Missey and possibly threatened to harm her family if she did not come quietly, the child could have followed him, from the teachings of her father, believing that she was saving their lives. Simply not a book for me. It is in knowing that God does punish evil, that I can live with the pain I’ve endured in life. I taught my children to recognize evil and to avoid it, not to embrace it and forgive it.
I thought the book was real. The things God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirt said were deep and profound. I read them over and over.Are you that deep and mature a Christian. Where did you get the spiritual part of that book and where did the part about Missy come from? How did you come up with an obduction and Seral killer. I have never read a book so real, couldn’t put it down.
I am 70 years old, been a Christian for over 50 years.
I would really and sincerely like to know the answers to these questions
Started reading it 2-yrs ago — stopped at ch.3 and set it aside. Last month bad weather gave us a surprise day-off. As I walked thru the mall I ruminated on what I’d do with the rest of the day. Saw a copy of The Shack and remembered I had started on it.
Got home, dusted it off and lo-&-behold, read ’til chapter 30-something (I don’t read much so that’s a big deal).
The next day, weather forced the cancellation (again) of work. I posted on facebook; “universe wants me to finish what I’m reading” — so I did.
In the back of my mind something said “You needed to read this for what’s to come.” and a sly wink said: “sure its fiction.”
Lately, I have been needing to recall what I learned from The Shack for so many trying things.
BTW, as I write this, the power just fluctuated — normally it would’ve gone off & this would have been lost and I would’nt re-type this since its not saved anywhere — I expect after I send this, the power will go off.
Ah the Universe…what a sense of humor.