The Shack
Book Review – The Shack
The employee at work insisted that I read “The Shack.” He didn’t give much detail about the book. but says the book
reveals the grace of God in a personal tragedy. After several initial mistakes, I was finally able to start the book.
I’m not a huge fan of Christian novels. I was immediately disappointed but kept on reading. I have to confess that I
was entertained by Young’s prose as he provided clear details that helped me visualize the story. His style eventually
became a distraction when I began to analyze his style and not. Interested in his message, however, every author has
a different style. I should have left it that way. In Chapter 7, he becomes CS “Lewisesque” where he turns the reality
of our hero (Mark) into a realm of fantasy, uh… Lord of the Rings. Let’s go. (I like watching movies but can’t read books)
Book Review – The Shack
If you’ve read C.S. Lewis, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” or John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim Progress,” you’ll understand how
the author uses parables to illustrate God’s nature and attributes. Young uses contemporary parables to reveal God.
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit He let the dynamics of family relationships describe the Trinity. Readers can
immediately identify the three persons of the Godhead according to the roles Young assigns to them. I’ll admit that
God playing Aunt Jemima had me in the loop at first. However, “God” explained that “she” came in the form that
Mark needed the most: a nurturing mother. Jesus was portrayed as a handyman, a fisherman, a good boy.
I never understood the Holy Spirit.
In addition to Young’s entertainment, I began to analyze his theology. And I can easily conclude that Young believes
Book Review – The Shack
in classical Pelagianism. Pelagianism Wikipedia defines Pelagianism as “the belief that original sin does not spoil
human nature and that human will can still choose good or not.” Evil can be without the help of heaven, so Adam’s
sin is a bad example for his offspring. But his actions were not like that. Other sequels are referring to original
sin. Pelagianism sees Jesus’ role as a role model for the rest of humanity. (Therefore, it is against Adam’s bad
example.) In short, humanity has full control and full responsibility for its own salvation. take full responsibility for
all sins According to Pelagian doctrine, because humanity does not need the grace of God for salvation.
The young man, unfortunately, tried to manipulate the Godhead in exchange for God’s sovereignty. Young’s gods
Book Review – The Shack
were similar to the gods that Pelagius had in mind. God created the world and sat down and observed life as it
manifested – intervening for a time. only time but doing so in order not to disturb the so-called God’s “free will”
tends to resist the temptation to intervene because of His love for His creatures. which is no different from a
watchmaker who winds the clock puts on a coat and watches the time pass A watchmaker’s only chore is to wind the
occasional clockwork.
Young’s simple approach to portraying the Great God described in the Bible made me think he was influenced by
Harold S. Kushner’s book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” It was printed in the early 1980s and was a
big seller. In it, Kushner destroyed the omnipotence of God and omniscient. Kushner said, “If God cannot make my
Book Review – The Shack
sickness go away, What good will he be? who needs him God doesn’t want you to be sick or crippled. He didn’t give
you this problem. and he did not want want you to have it anyway But He couldn’t make it go away. That’s too hard
for God.” Of course, I don’t know if Young had read Kushner, but that thought had been running through my head.
I would rate Young high for his commentary on the lead character’s umpire encounter. Young captures the
underlying cause of our character’s continued remorse and broods about his personal loss. Our hero is blaming God
for his loss and angry at God for not intervening. People murmured and complained that life “Dealing bad cards for
them” is a stab at God.
in my mentoring mission, Most people who seek solutions to their problems are unhappy that God has not let them
Book Review – The Shack
rest. Whether it’s a better parent or a more loving and responsible spouse. The counselors were disappointed with
God that He had not given them a life without difficulty. They do not see the purpose of suffering. And they certainly
do not appreciate Romans 8:28-29. “And we know that everything works together for the benefit of those who love
God. for those who are called according to his will because of those whom He knew beforehand He also
predetermined the appearance of His Son. so that he may be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” “How
can all things work together for God with those who love God?” I believe that trials and tribulations. (“Things”) help
us become more Christlike in our nature and behavior.