The Shack

There has been much said already about this book and part of me thinks I shouldn't bother. However, by definition this blog exists for giving my thoughts (see name), so I'll proceed. I've talked with people who have absolutely hated it and conversely those who loved it. I decided to go ahead and read it because there are millions of people reading it right now and I want to be able to talk with them about it. I've been trying to live up to something my all-time favorite theology prof (Western's own Dr. Gerry Breshears) said, "Don't talk about it if you haven't read it."

Overall I'm glad I read it and wouldn't say that anyone shouldn't read it. To me, Young's book comes across as pretentious at times and didn't have the best writing. It wasn't written to be a systematic theology even though it deals with theological themes. While reading the Shack it is important to remember it's fiction. Becuase it is fiction and telling an emotional tale I fell there is more wiggle room in the story. I think Young does a very good job of presenting the God as three persons yet one. The Trinity is a hard concept to convey, but I think he does well. Personally, I thought God the father as an Aunt Jemima-type personification was a little over the top, but I understand and appreciate his point (He's trying to break the stereotype that God is a white guy). Through the narrative Young presents a universal salvation that definitely undermines the role of the cross. The argument is made that since God loves all his children, it's inconceivable that he would ever condemn any of them. This undermines the role of Christ's sacrifice and the full character of God (love is the main characteristic presented to the exclusion of many others).

If you want to read more about the Shack from a couple guys who really know what they're talking about I recomend the aforementioned Dr. Breshears and Multnomah's own Dr. Dan Lockwood (Click the names to go to their articles).