Well, since I'm the new guy today, and there are no posts in the Good Reads forum, I thought I would post a good read - or rather listen (audio book) - that I am in the middle of… it's a book called The Shack and it was recommended to me by my wife.  It is also a book that has become the topic of many Bible Studies - including some members of the band Superchick.

Check it out!  I downloaded from iTunes for cheap!

Corey

TrogPhoto.com

OK, so I have finished listening to the audiobook of The Shack.

Yes, I have “read” The Shack, which is apparently in the top 5 of ALL fiction books in Edmonton right now.  And the author will apparently be here twice this winter/spring!

So, what did you think of the book, Corey?  And anyone else who has read it?  I think as such a hugely popular work that is connecting with millions of people, we as Christians in culture should at least familiarize ourselves with it.

Here are my thoughts …

• I enjoyed the idea behind the book - the “set up” as it were.  Or “the gimmick”.
  • This is a “high concept” piece on almost the level of “Arnold Schwarzenneger gets pregnet” (yes, that is a movie, remember?).  The concept here “man's daughter is murdered in a shack, and God himself asks the man to meet him face to face at that Shack - the very place of his pain”.  It's high concept, but I liked the concept. I think the concept is compelling and raw and it spoke to me.  I love the idea that God would call me to the very place of my pain to deal with it.  Rather than route around it, He wants to meet me exactly there. In it's centre. And He wants to heal me. That is what I got from The Shack and that is powerful. I also believe that's why it is successful.
• I thought the characters were compelling enough and the first third was a “page turner” for sure. I was into the story and right there with Mac in his pain. I also enjoyed seeing the different representations of God and the creativity there. For those who don't know, this is an allegory, and I think the parts that obey the “rules of allegory” are well done.
• A lot of this book BREAKS THE RULES OF ALLEGORY.  About a third through, Mac sits down with “God” and starts asking questions. And God just … answers. Theology is laid down bare and point after point of our questioning is addressed with what the author deems to be the mind of God Himself. Now, I don't disagree with much of the books theology. What I don't like is that this book becomes just that - a book of theology. It breaks away from telling a compelling story and becomes didactic. This becomes the largest portion of the book, and while there are more compelling scenes to come (the judgement and Wisdom were great to me) I feel the book never recovers. In fact, it becomes more hokey as Mac even ends up using things learned in his “vision” to catch the killer.  Come on, is tragedy ever wrapped up so neatly in our lives?
• The book does not honor mystery. I don't know about you, but I haven't had one of these “theology dumping sessions” where God just downloads all the answers on me - replying to my every question with sweet, comforting knowledge and truth. I have a lot more open ends and mystery in my faith, and I think I like it that way. In fact, I think that's how it should be.
• The author has admitted himself that he's not a “real author”.  And thus, I don't think this is a great piece of literature. There is a great story in there, and certainly there is power for ministry and healing, but as literature, it will not stand over time. And that is why reviews are so divided on this book (apparently it gets either 1 star or 5 stars on Amazon - it is polarizing).

So, to anyone who is dealing with some serious pain and negative concepts of God, I'd say, read this book.  It will likely speak to you, even despite it's faults. For anyone looking for a good, challenging, though-provoking read, I'd say skip this one.

I'd like to hear what you think though. 

Oh - and take a listen to what some others think on this episode of The Kindling's Muse, The Shack Attack …

http://www.thekindlings.com/2008/09/30/the-shack-attackpodcast-live-at-hales-segment-1-of-1/

TJM said:

Though I'm not really well versed in christian literature…. or any literature, I don't believe a more accurate picture of God has ever been created.  Wether it's a well written mystery or not strikes me as beside the point.  In the end this is a book of theology.  I tend to think the authors intent was a revelation of Gods character rather than a good mystery. So, using mystery to get attention he draws people into a book of theology.  Ah geeze, I don't even know what direction to go with this. 

Hey TJ - glad to have a discussion going on this one!

First, don't knock yourself for being “not really well versed” - you are the common man (and I'd say a few steps up even), so this book and any book should be accessible to you and I to communicate well.  The fact that this book connects with you says something to its' credit for sure.

Now, is this really a book of theology?  I think in some ways yes, and in some ways no.  I think it can be dangerous to take it as thus (what if we find out that God isn't actually a wise-cracking woman from the southern states who loves to cook us up some grits?).  I think my discomfort with the book comes from the assurance the author seems to have - if he really sees this a straight teaching book - that what he is teaching is the truth (and not just a possible manifestation of the truth). I know many people are taking their theology from this book these days, rather than from scripture, and as much as I love a good story, that's one of the dangers of story. It can be so effecive that we don't even question what it is teaching us. I think any theology in this book (like anywhere else) needs to be lined up with Scripture.

I guess all of that to say, yes, I am sure the author intended to teach things about God with this book, and the story was just his vehicle to do that.  But, (A) The better you tell the story, the better you teach, actually (the reader should not even be aware that they are getting a lesson on theology - at that point, the story itself has lost its' power) and (B) we should accept that this is one man's interpretations on who God is. While I see a lot of truth there, it is not Gospel. As much as these depictions of God may appeal to you or I (north american well-to-do Christians), they may seem repugnant to someone else (too sentimental for one, not relevant to another). That's why we need many slants on God - many sides to see him from. This story is a valuable entry into that mix, but not the defining one, I don't think.

For instance, Aslan connects with me so often on so many levels in Narnia (and I am not a cat-lover!). But for others, they may not get that, or may not like Aslan much. And that's OK, because, after all, Aslan is NOT Christ, but a pale picture of Him. And Narnia is not scripture. So, I just worry about putting too much stock in any one story - we see Christ clearest when we look for Him in every story, and build a composite from those truths, I believe.

Case in point, you said, “I don't believe a more accurate picture of God has ever been created.” But I find Aslan a closer representation of Christ to my understanding. Neither of us is right or wrong - just connecting on different levels with different parts of a very complex Personality.

Now, about the power of this story to move people, I totally agree with you, and I was moved. Again, I believe that's why this book is succeeding - it has much to say to many people who may not even pick up a Bible any more - this may be all the theology their getting (which, again, is a heavy burden for any author to bear). People are being healed and touched by the book, and I doubt you're the only one with break-time red-eyes from reading it at work. It teared me up just listening at points too.

So, I don't want to be overly critical, I just think that as artists, we need to evaluate these things from another level as well. I have seem people genuinely touched from the most horrible garbage (which the Shack is not, don't worry), and to me, that validates the power of the Holy Spirit more than the power of the work itself. The Shack has been panned by many critics, so I wonder how much more powerful it may have been if it could have connected with people who have a very high standard for what they read?

To refer to Narnia one last time, people are still reading it, not because it is Christian necessarily, but because its' story works so well with or without a message. The message becomes a treasure you discover more and more with time. And people that are brought into that simply as a literary classic are also exposed to that message. I don't think the Shack will have that kind of reach, but I believe it could have.

Hmm - good thoughts, TJ. I suppose it is important who reads the book, as to how much they should know they are reading a theology book. A total non-believer would likely feel cheated and quit the book once it “lays on the heavy” in the middle, whereas many non-believers continue to enjoy Narnia. That is one reason I would say Narnia is closer to the stories Christ told than The Shack is.  Christ's stories definitely had a point, and he made no bones about that, but the point was not laid out plainly. In fact, even his closest disciples were often downright confused. He told stories so we would be,

“seeing, but not perceiving. Hearing, but not understanding”.

What?

I guess I just prefer that mystery approach to story telling - a truth one discovers is more impacting than a truth one is simply told, in my view.

But not every reader is me. And I still think the central story of The Shack is quite powerful.

As for the truth of the story - it's entirely fiction. William does say he faced sexual abuse in his past and that he has had to deal with a lot of crap, and that he has known people closely who have lost a child like this. But there is no Willie, no Shack and no Little Lady Killer.

William says he gets emails asking about Mack, etc. So he has woven a convincing tale. But I just wonder where those people will draw the lines as to what is “The Gospel” and what is “The gospel according to William”.

The interview was actually really interesting - I can lend it to you if you like. Interesting to hear how he doesn't even consider himself a “real author”, and yet has been blown away by how God is using this story (which he only wrote for his kids originally).