The genre of “Christian Fiction” is about as appealing to me as a second helping of chicken-ripple ice cream. I felt it needed to be said, and even though some fine people‘s wives write this genre. In my head I know that not all Christian fiction falls into the hyper-corny schlockfest category with longwinded explanations of how Jesus is the answer and everything’s going to work out alright for this Godfearing nuclear family and you can have Jesus in your heart too, Lucy… as explained by Sally’s mother. On a more visceral level, it has seemed to me that calling the genre “Christian fiction” is probably somehow redundant.
That should tell you where I was at when I first held William P. Young’s first book, The Shack, in my hands with the prospect of reviewing it. Except for one thing: the invitation I had been ignoring to join The Shack group on Facebook. I didn’t join the group because I hadn’t read the book… actually had never heard of it. But hearing of a book for the first time through Facebook was still novel for me, and the person from whom I received the invite is not overly given to fluff. So I read it.
The Shack, for those who don’t know despite an effective grassroots marketing campaign, is a story about Mack, a father of four who was once a father of five. God features in the lives of the family, but much more so for Mack’s wife Nan; Mack has been living with something he calls The Great Sadness for the three and a half years before the events in The Shack take place. Three and a half years earlier, Mack’s youngest daughter Missy was abducted while on a camping trip with Mack and two of the other kids — she was killed, her body never found. She was six and a half years old… and I had another compelling reason not to read this book — it was clearly going to have morbid overtones playing off the occurrence of what any parent can tell you may be their greatest fear. I have two daughters, the youngest of whom just turned six. You see what I mean?
Young does well to describe the events of the abduction with only the detail necessary to the story — and not at all in the macabre way that seems to gain television ratings so surely these days. (I’m not just referring to the six current often-grisly dramas featuring coroners and crime scene specialists that make Quincy look like Saturday-morning childrens’ programming, but pointedly, Law & Order: SVU — what is up with that?) Young finds a way to present the facts of the case in a manner that allowed me to read quickly past the chapter I didn’t want to think about and get to what is, actually, the “meat” of the story: Missy’s death is really just background material to help you understand the main character. The story actually starts when Mack receives a typed note invitating him to spend the next weekend at the shack where Missy had been killed. The clincher is that the note purports to be from God. Mack decides to go, and God shows up. Any more detail than that and we’re getting into spoilers… which in my opinion, several of the reviews I’ve seen venture too far into — if you should find a review that starts to tell you how God appears to Mack, stop reading and save it for the book. (Hey, some of us are more accustomed to nonfiction where “spoilers” aren’t really a concern!)
So, what do God and Mack talk about for for 156 pages of a 248-page novel? Well… a little bit of everything. It is this fact which prompts me to argue that the book is not Christian fiction at all, but creative nonfiction on Christian themes. The conversation is where Young makes his points — the novel tells a story, but the point of the story is in the dialogue between God and Mack, who has his thinking adjusted on several matters, changing many of his views of God, the world, and the relationship between the two. And, naturally, his own relationship with God — a cliché phrase I hate to even write. Honestly, the thing I found most difficult with the story was the fact that God is called “Papa” throughout. I wouldn’t say the name has a patriarchal tone in Young’s use of it, it’s just that it’s the one vestige of the kind of Christian fiction of which I probably wouldn’t have seen chapter three. Or two, perhaps… it’s that “redundancy” thing. Yet when I corresponded with him by email about the book, he referred to God as Papa then too, and it didn’t sound nearly so awkward to my ears in that context. Fiction? Probably the wrong word — but not entirely wrong either.
The fictional material in the book is really just a literary device — no different than what you’d find in books like Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality or Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey. These would be much more appropriate comparisons than anything by Frank Peretti. To illustrate the way in which Young attempts to prod the reader to see things differently, a few quotations are in order.
Relationship is Non-Hierarchical. When Mack is talking to God about the relationship of the trinity within himself, he refers to a “chain of command” he assumes within the Godhead, to which God responds with a Bruce Cockburn quote, “Though chains be of gold, they are chains all the same.” The conversation continues, with dialogue following between God and Mack.
“Mackenzie, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any over-lay of power. We don’t need power over the other because we are always looking out for the best. Hierarchy would make no sense among us. Actually, this is your problem, not ours.”
“Really? How so?”
“Humans are so lost and damaged that to you it is almost incomprehensible that people could work or lie together without someone being in charge.”
“But every human institution that I can think of, from political to business, even down to marriage, is governed by this kind of thinking; it is the web of our social fabric,” Mack asserted.
“Such a waste!”…
…”It’s one reason why experiencing true relationship is so difficult for you…. Once you have a hierarchy you need rules to protect and administer it, and then you need law and the enforcement of the rules, and you end up with some kind of chain of command or a system of order that destroys relationship rather than promotes it. You rarely see or experience relationship apart from power. Hierarcy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.”
“Well,” said Mack sarcastically, sitting back in his chair. “We sure seem to have adapted pretty well to it.”
…”Don’t confuse adaptation for intention, or seduction for reality.”
“So then… we’ve been seduced into this preoccupation with authority?
(p.122-123) You can’t read this blog for too long without understanding that this is going to resonate with me… and it’s a good example of how Young knows his stuff, so although it’s not at all systematic, it would be a mistake to think of the theological insights as lightweight “fluff.”
The Problem of Pain. Clearly, Mack has some cause for discussing evil in the world, whether or not God is to blame, and how God can justify horrific events in order to achieve other purposes. In part of God’s reply, he says,
“Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.”
(p.185) I love here the observation that grace does not require suffering in order to exist.
Keeping The Law. Dialogue with Mack, God speaking first:
“[K]eep in mind that if you live your life alone and independently, the promise is empty. Jesus laid the demand of the law to rest; it no longer has any power to accuse or command. Jesus is both the promise and its fulfillment.”
“Are you saying I don’t have to follow the rules?”….
“Yes. In Jesus you are not under any law. All things are lawful.”
“You can’t be serious! You’re messing with me again,” moaned Mack.
…”[T]hose who are afraid of freedom are those who cannot trust us to live in them. Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.”
“Is that why we like the law so much—to give us some control?” asked Mack.
“It is much worse than that… It grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Enforcing rules, especially in its more subtle expressions like responsibility and expectation, is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. And contrary to what you might think, I have a great fondness for uncertainty. Rules cannot bring freedom, they only have the power to accuse.”
(p.203) Excellent observation about keeping the law as a declaration of independence… deeply insightful, and it’s just plain good theology. Young must have been reading Romans…
Forgiveness. The subject had to come up eventually.
“Forgiveness is not about forgetting, Mack. It is about letting go of another person’s throat.”
“But I thought you forget our sins?”
“Mack, I am God. I forget nothing. I know everything. So forgetting for me is the choice to limit myself. Son, …because of Jesus, there is now no law demanding that I bring your sins back to mind. They are gone when it comes to you and me, and they run no interference in our relationship.
…
“Forgiveness does not establish relationship. In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose relationship. Mackenzie, don’t you see that forgiveness is an incredible power—a power you share with us, a power Jesus gives to all whom he indwells so that reconcilliation can grow?
…
“Mackenzie, … I already told you that forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established.”
(p.224 & 225) The notion of God limiting himself comes up a few times, so it’s fairly closely linked in with the major theme of the book. There is some insightful stuff here about forgiveness and relationship, and the fact that the two are not synonymous… not the plastic Christian-fiction redundancy stuff. Here again, some of our traditional views are challenged. As with all of the direct quotations from God, Young isn’t claiming direct verbatim revelation of new truth or anything of the sort… but he is challenging us to think about those assumptions, and to do so from a fresh understanding of God’s heart.
I want to recommend the book, and fairly highly. I think Eugene Petersen’s praise for it was a bit too high — likening it to Pilgrim’s Progress is just too much for anything to live up to. But it’s well-written, insightful, and a superb conversation-starter — which would make it a reasonably good book club choice. It’s good fodder for anyone to whom you might suggest Blue Like Jazz or A New Kind of Christian, but in an even more introductory and/or broad way, to people who have no particular beef with the church but who still want to see things in a new light whenever they can. I’m going to contend that those who take the brief time necessary to read The Shack will find a message directly to them, from God. If you’re in particular need of such a message, read the book. I’ll spell it out for you: get yourself a pencil, and write down the page number, 242. Don’t peek ahead, just wait until you get to it: it won’t have any real meaning or impact if you try to take a shortcut, but at the end of the book, Mack delivers a message from God to Willie, on page 242. This message, if you’re paying attention, is also intended directly to the reader — if you like, stroke out Willie’s name in the sentence and write in your own. By pure coincidence I’m sure, when I read it, I think something must have dripped onto my cheek, maybe a raindrop or a splash someplace, perhaps from a leaky ceiling… but it was moist somehow. You’ll know it when you get there.
Tomorrow, I’ll post an interview with William P. (Paul) Young, the author. In the meantime, if you’ve read The Shack (or even if you haven’t), drop in some comments… particularly if you had a favorite passage or insight from it. If your comment has spoilers, please mark it with **Spoilers** so those who haven’t read the book can skip your comment until they have.
In an era of my life where so many relationships have been ended abruptly, I loved the whole relationship theme of this book. Here was a God who knew relationships and wanted me to be in one with him. In coming out of a rule oriented, do good-get good, do bad-get bad kind of thinking this was like grace being poured out on my soul in tangible, liquid form.
I have read it to my 12 year old son, my Husband and another daughter. Even though it delves into very deep subjects it did not bore my son. Husband had the same wet cheek sensation that you did – only much more so. My one daughter who is running just as fast as she can from all things of God even read it and with tears in her eyes told me what her favorite parts were. Another daughter – very bitter at the whole church thing right now and questioning if there is really a God, almost became angry and wanted to know if this God that Mack talks to is really real because it sound too good to be true. The Shack has vastly affected all who have read it.
I encouraged others on my blog to please buy more than one because they will want to give another away when they are finished.
I find it interesting that several of the quoted passages and the points related to them have raised those yellow “okay… but…” flags in my mind. However, since I haven’t read the book and don’t know the full context I will refrain from challenge or discussion on them until I do have the facts. And maybe even then.
Sounds like an interesting read. I’m still trying to slog my way through Fantastic Anton Succeeds (about the wisdom of practice from those who’ve raised or worked with kids with FASD).
Brother, the Abbess may have to get yet another book! This guy seem to be saying so many of the things I’ve been saying…it will be nice to be able to hear it from another angle!
Three things, in particular, struck me:
1. About 10 years ago I heard a man (can’t remember his name) on TBS who was calling them to account for using the name of the Lord in vain when they assumed his approval…the quotation, as I have remembered it all these years: “Don’t assume God’s apparent blessing with his seal of approval of your methods.” This is so important! Just because God makes good out of junk doesn’t mean that the junk is good!
2. A while back I commented on the Smackdown thread about freedom…especially challenging “how much freedom can you stand”…and it is still a good question!
3. For about 15 years now, I have held to the belief that God’s restraint is his most important attribute, rather than his omnipotence–as is so often stressed. It was great to see that thread here about God chosing to restrain himself in order to have relationship with us. A little “open theology” here?
4. A little “universal salvation” in the forgiving of the sins of the world on the cross, requiring only the receiving of the grace and the building of the relationship as adopted child…very thought provoking, indeed! I remember Corrie ten Boom’s response when someone asked her how, when she saw a certain man in the neighborhood, she was not constantly reminded of his horrible betrayal of her family to the Nazis. “I distinctly remember forgetting that.” It was a powerful word about freedom…because in choosing to forgive and “forget” she was free from the hate that built up in her during her time of imprisonment.
…when to get to the bookstore…hmmm….
Thanks and blessings.
“Dear S.I.”
I’m glad you took the opportunity to review the book…I just posted on my blog something about The Shack as well..I’m still thinking about whether to “review” the book or just give people an encouragement to read it and let that stand on its own. I liked the book…a lot. And I don’t even know why…except that I would have loved to have an experience like that…to hang out with the Triune God is a fascinating premise. The fact that the author claims it is a real experience blows my mind…anyway, I’ll look forward to further posts on this…
Robin
Robin,
Just to clarify, the book is not actually a true story, it’s just told that way as a literary device… but at the end of the day you consider that and say, “Okay, but why the heck not?” Maybe it didn’t really happen that way… but I don’t have any issue with the idea that it could have. And that’s mind-blowing! We touched on this in the interview as well.
One other thing — the book is a trinitarian delight, you’re right about that!
I am just in the process of reading this book….and I’m loving it!
Mr. Young has put into words the concepts I have had to wrestle through with God…and he does it simply and well.
I, also, am deeply disappointed in christian fiction these days, as many of the books published are not worth reading.
I own a christian bookstore, and like to read books to recommend to my customers, and have found it difficult to recommend many….mostly older fiction like Alcorn, Peretti (some)and T.Davis Bunn.
I wonder why it is that somehow the idea that a perfect conclusion must happen because a character gave their lives to God?
What a crock…I’d like to see some books that walk out a closer parallel to real life..in all it’s ups and downs…Just a thought.
Anyways, I will recommend “The Shack” as it’s well worth the read.
i rarely read fiction, but you’ve convinced me.
Ché,
Hit the “wives write” link in the first paragraph to get to Lisa Samson’s website. I’ve never read her stuff, but she writes Christian fiction and was nominated for or won a Christie award. She’s known for having some pretty earthy characters in her books — you may want to investigate her work further as well.
Cindy,
I don’t think you’ll regret it… and if you do, I’m sure I’ll hear about it! ;^) Like I said, I wouldn’t really consider it “pure” fiction (although I think that’s its official genre), but creative nonfiction.
I really enjoyed “The Shack” and also felt the same way about Christian fiction. :) I did not agree with all of the author’s theology, but I didn’t think that was the point of the book anyway so I wish people would not criticize it for the areas where they don’t agree but rather catch the gems of the book that have nothing to do with theology or doctrine. God has touched my heart through “The Shack” and it is giving me a lot to chew on regarding how I view God and still deal with my own “Great Sadness”. As I keep saying, I believe this book is especially for “those who are sick” rather than those who do not need a doctor (Matt. 9) and I’m praying for my own “shack” to find healing.
This book was wonderful. I read it twice… because I wanted to make sure I didnt miss anything.
Young is brilliant in writing this book, I dont know how he stayed so focused! Incredible theology throughout its pages. When you finish this book you will see your relationship to God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit in a whole new light. Im sure you will come away “especially fond of them..” Amazing read. I recommend to everyone I know. Alot of people dont want to read because of what happens to the little girl… but like the reviewer said, it is merely “background” for a much deeper issue. What happened to Missy, begins Mack’s journey to something much bigger, that will change his life completely. When you finish this book….YOU will be forever changed in the way you think.
I am A Penticostal preacher, and my daughters readinh circle teacher told me about the book
Iam an avid reader of all types of reading material but this sounded exciting as she was
talking to me about it she said she had to set it down and come back later to it this made
me want to go home and look up some reviews, the reviews have me shouting pacing and
singing, I know God in this light I can not wait to read this book I will be back
Rev. Celeste curry
I’m way behind on this one. My mom sent this to me at Christmas, just included in a box of stuff she thought I might find interesting – she’d never read this! Someone else had given it to her.
I wasn’t enthusiastic about reading it – am not attracted to “Christian” fiction – though I love lots of fiction including things about religion (like C.S. Lewis’ books). I didn’t care for the use of “Papa” at all – made me squirm. While there were some things throughout the book that didn’t flow well for me, I appreciated enough of it, including some of the passages you quoted. And one you didn’t comment on that I liked a lot was the exchange on page 181/182 that addresses the openess of God. I’ve been battered a number of times by religious folks who have chosen such narrow thinking that they think only their way is THE way. I think this book is a good starting point for many conversations – it’s so accessible.
This book was the basis of our sermon in church today.
I supposed at first that there was the chance that the reader did not do the book justice but, from what I have read both on this site and others, they gave a pretty fair representation.
If this book and the ideas within it are people’s idea of a loving “god” then count me out.
This book, and the ideas about “god” within it are not totally to blame for my rejection of religion but they have been the final straw.
It seems appropriate, therefore that this site should be the location for my first public statement that I no longer have any belief in a “god” of any type.
Thank you to Mr Young for helping to free me from the burden of religion.