As the blog header states, I would like this to be a place where dialog can take place about spiritual matters. My goal is to be able to have these conversations in a non-threatening environment. So to that end, my first post is a brief review on the novel, The Shack, currently #1 on the New York Times Best sellers list in the Paperback Trade Fiction category.Plenty has been written about The Shack both good and bad. Fortunately, I didn’t read any reviews of this book until after I read the book itself. I should say up front that I am coming from a different perspective than many of the serious reviewers. I have studied Christian apologetics off and on for many years and have been active in dialogging in matters of faith and spirituality with anyone who seems interested and open.
It is often difficult to open a door for these sorts of discussions even though many people struggle with the issues contained in the book. What intrigued me most about this book is the author’s ability to present these issues in a non-threatening way that engages the reader. Many have asked the question, “Where is God in the midst of pain and suffering?” The Shack attempts to answer that question and more.
There are many people outside of the church that aren’t looking to the church for answers to their heart-felt questions either due to unfortunate experiences from their past, other baggage they are carrying or barriers that the church unintentionally puts up. I am in favor of anything that opens doors for dialog so that people can more readily process spiritual matters. The bottom line is that many are being drawn closer to God through reading The Shack. I think whenever that happens, it’s a good thing. I didn’t agree with everything it contained from a theological perspective, but it deeply touched me emotionally and spiritually. Is the writing on the level of Dickens or Austen? No it isn’t. But it still has the power to touch and hopefully break down some barriers to belief. I would recommend this book as a conversation starter.
For an extensive critique on the theology of The Shack, a good source can be found on Tim Challies blog site http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/a-review-of-the-shack-download-it-here.php
