By Summer 2008, nearly everyone had heard of The Shack. Not long after that, nearly everyone had read it; William Young's runaway first novel has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for months.
Back in June, I wrote a short survey of the response The Shack was eliciting from theologians and pastors. As you can imagine, for every word of praise for the novel, there was a criticism. No doubt you have heard both from the people you minister to.
If you're still uncertain what to make of the book, help may be on the way. Roger Olson's Finding God in the Shack: Seeking truth in a story of evil and redemption (IVP, February 2009) is an effort to address the major theological questions the novel raises. Here are some chapter titles: "Where is God in Senseless, Innocent Suffering?" "Is God Really a Family of Three?" "Can God Be in Charge but Not in Control?"
Olson addresses several places he believes the novel can be misleading. But overall, he finds a helpful, and theologically sound, message of hope and truth in The Shack. You can take a look at Finding God in the Shack here.
In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you think of The Shack and what resources you've used to help the people you minister to interact with it.
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Yawn. This book would have been useful when people were talking about The Shack, but that was six months ago.
What next? A new book about Sarah Palin's wardrobe? Or a blog post on how to cope with $4/gallon gasoline?
This is another example of Christians trying to catch the wave after it's already passed. You missed it, Dr. Olsen.
Posted by: Sally | December 31, 2008 9:58 AM
I read the The Shack. Passed it on to many people. If you're a grounded Christian, and know who God , Jesus and The Holy Spirit are and have a grounded relationship with Christ what's the big deal. I thought the way the author revealed the Trinity to the man was good. It was in the man's coma that the Trinity reveal Himself. Maybe that's what God felt he needed at that time. And as for your book, maybe it will help some people out too. I think The Shack is a good book to get people talking about God who maybe never would have. I think it's a better way than having some "Christian" walk up to them and hand them a tract leaving that person on their own. This is just my opinion- I think the people who hinder the spread of the Gospel the most are, ready? Christians themselves. I include myself in that too. May we all get out of our own way and allow the Holy Spirit to be the Holy Spirit.
Posted by: Richard Maranitz | January 1, 2009 7:45 AM
Instead of trying to analyze everything about the story through a theological spectrum let us thank God for fresh insights on some aspects about our relationship with God that are highlighted in the book and that was needed to be heard again.
Posted by: Mart Griesel | January 1, 2009 10:10 AM
This was one of the most powerful books, revealing the love of God and His participation in our life that I've ever read. I've been a christian 59 yrs, am Baptist and a seminary grad and Bible student and teacher. You can nitpick it if you want to but the message is incredible and I finished it realizing we can never know the depth, length, height and breadth of the Father's love for us! In spite of the shock of John 15:9. I've recommended and given this book to many people and thank God for it!
Posted by: Beverly Pierce | January 1, 2009 12:15 PM
Yes, there has been a lot of discussion about The Shack. Any theologian or thinking Christian can find problems in any novel. Even technical theological books receive significant criticism. No humanly written project is perfect. Maranitz' words have significant wisdom, "May we all get out of our own way and allow the Holy Spirit to be the Holy Spirit." Perceptive reviews of any work are in order, but the tendency among Evangelicals to demonize everything they don't agree with is the single most offensive trait that alienates unbelievers from Christ. Early Christians won the world by visibly loving one another, and this love, as anyone who has read early Christians knows, was certainly not without critique. But love trumps demonizing each other in front of the world. Kudos to Paul Young for daring to speak his heart, and Roger Olson for perceptively speaking to the book. As a theologian and seminary professor, I and my students have talked with many people in the last year who discovered or rediscovered God through this book.
Larry Shelton
Posted by: Larry Shelton | January 1, 2009 12:39 PM
I've just finished listening to The Shack on audio book at my senior pastor's urging. Now I want to go buy a copy so I can go back and "chew on" some of the themes that were presented. While I wrestled with some ideas presented in the book and questioned their theological roots after completing the book I came to the conclusion that this wrestling was not bad, not bad at all. As a Christian I should never be afraid of anything that challanges what I believe (my theology). I better be able to look at those ideas that cause me to question or doubt and be able to present a response, rooted in the Word of God, for what I believe. And if I can't, if I am shaken or disturbed then it is time for me to find some time to get alone with God and His Word and find out what it is that I truly believe. I would reccomend The Shack to any believer, if for no other reason to give them a tool to challange them to think and evaluate what they truly believe and what their belief is based on (their own thoughts and concepts or the Word of God.) The Shack is a winner in my book!
Posted by: Jill Zeck | January 10, 2009 11:56 AM
I would direct you to Randal Rauser's book, Finding God in the Shack, available this month from Authentic. The press release is available at www.tbbmedia.blogspot.com.
Posted by: Audra Jennings | February 3, 2009 10:31 AM
What a wonderful theodicy!
I've got to say that this book took me a little deeper than I've been before into issues of suffering and the goodness of God.
I appreciated that the writer wasn't afraid to ask difficult questions that all people think but aren't usually encouraged by the Church to ask.
I find it disheartening that so many Christians are attacking this man. It's like we aren't even allowed to think anymore, and if what we think doesn't fit into this perfect box, we get yelled at.
This prevents growth and honesty.
I was surprised at how theologically on-target it was, and it's funny to me when people say it purports a low view of Scripture...it's packed with Scripture throughout!
But just because we have the Bible doesn't mean that God doesn't want to talk with us and interact with us NOW!
I think people who deny it make God very small and are afraid of surrendering to the Holy Spirit and not being in control.
Maybe they should re-read the Shack!!!
Posted by: Mallory Pickering | March 5, 2009 9:24 AM
Remember, there are many who preach the word of God and hail the name of Jesus for alternative motives, for their own financial gain. Richard Maranitz is a great manipulator who practices the art of deception. He is an internet ordained pastor http://tcolw.tripod.com/id18.html who was recently convicted in a plea bargain agreement in Ocean County Superior Court Toms River New Jersey for weapons possession. His deception partner Edward Murachanian a former Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor runs a scam out of Fellowship Chapel Point Pleasant Beach New Jersey where the church members have been deceived for years.
Posted by: Mike | September 29, 2009 5:00 PM
I liked the Shack because even though it was a departure from Scripture in many ways, it was a beautiful allegory of the Holy Trinity and God's love for all His children. If you like The Shack (or even if you didn't), try Forgiving Ararat by Gita Nazareth. It's about a woman who unlocks the mystery of her own murder from her place in the afterlife. It's a historical and religious exploration in a suspenseful murder mystery. I am a publicist and fan of the book and would love to read any comments on this website should you choose to read Forgiving Ararat
Posted by: Sharon Leee | December 14, 2009 5:03 PM