The Shack

[glorywatch]

I am curious if anyone has read this and if so, what did you think of it?

http://www.theshackbook.com/pages/page1.html

[EricH]

The Shack is very well written and tells a wonderful story. It will resonate with anyone who has ever felt disappointment with God at some level. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for the church, as people of all levels and types of faith are reading it and enjoying it. As Christ-followers we should view this as a bridge to spiritual conversations.

The one caution I would offer is that it should not be read as a definitive theology regarding the Trinity and the nature of God. It is a work of fiction. I like to compare it to C.S. Lewis's, The Great Divorce. Like The Shack, The Great Divorce tells a very compelling story. In the case of The Great Divorce, the topic is the after-life. It gets you thinking about the reality of heaven and what it will be like. However, Lewis never intended that it be used as a source for accurate information regarding the true nature of the after-life. The Shack should be read with this same understanding.

Comparisons to the DaVinci Code are not really appropriate. The DaVinci code is a work of historical fiction. Historical fiction has rules that govern the genre. One of those rules is that the major historical details of the period in question should not be fictionalized so as to change historical facts. The fictional aspect in an historical fiction work should be in the details of the lives of the characters and minor details that would not change history. An example of good historical fiction is the book, Killer Angels, set in the civil war. The author did not change the historical details of the battle of Gettysburg. The Union still prevailed and Pickett

[glorywatch]

Eric, thank you for the wonderful reply. I am mid-way through and must admit at first I was a bit taken aback but thought, "STOP", keep reading and see where this is going. I really have enjoyed it so far even though I am not finished with it. I love some of the explainations of who God is which is really what has kept me reading. It is well written and I can't wait to see how it unfolds. Thanks for sharing your point of view.

[eagleswings]

My opinion is that whenever we start taking other books to point to God other than the bible then beware!!!!! There are many views on this book... I myself believe firmly it promotes new age and would not touch it with a ten foot pole.....what a shame in church everything but Jesus and Hiw Word is discussed and dissected!!!!!! just my humble opinion......

[Xan]

My opinion is that whenever we start taking other books to point to God other than the bible then beware!!!!! There are many views on this book... I myself believe firmly it promotes new age and would not touch it with a ten foot pole.....what a shame in church everything but Jesus and Hiw Word is discussed and dissected!!!!!! just my humble opinion......

So, in your opinion all commentaries and books written by Christians should be avoided?

[glorywatch]

My opinion is that whenever we start taking other books to point to God other than the bible then beware!!!!! There are many views on this book... I myself believe firmly it promotes new age and would not touch it with a ten foot pole.....what a shame in church everything but Jesus and Hiw Word is discussed and dissected!!!!!! just my humble opinion......

It's a novel about a man discovering God. I am not sure how that can be bad. No one is suggesting this should replace God's Word. I am not sure what church you attend but in the one my family goes to, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are what is lifted up in praise and worship. Thank you for sharing your opinion.

[Massorite]

I am curious if anyone has read this and if so, what did you think of it?

http://www.theshackbook.com/pages/page1.html

I looked at many of the Christian reviews and decided not to read it. But my wife had already read it and asked me to give it a chance. I don't like reading other books about God but I gave it a chance. I am 2 thirds of the way through it and I must confess that the Christian reviews were wrong. I don't agree with all of the concepts in the book about God but the book so far is harmless. There is no new age or any other form of false belief that I could see so far and alot of the book is right on que with the bible as far as the characteristics of God and how He handles or works with us.

It just goes to show that we should never take other mens word for anything when it come to God and we should always remember that God can inspire men to write other book about Him and He can bless other books written by men about Him.

[nebula]

EricH -

The last thread about this book presented some concerns.

The one I recall the most is the portrayal of God the Father as an elderly woman and such like that.

What is your perspective on this?

[glorywatch]

I finally finished reading the book and I must say I was glad I read it. It has some wonderful analogy's of how our relationship with God should be and how we mess it up with all our 'religion".

Nebula, the point the author was making is that "I AM" is what God is for all of us. You would have to read the book to understand the point and for those who haven't read it, going into detail may spoil it for them.

[zaidenmom]

"I AM" is what God is for all of us.

This sounds like an exact statement that Oprah made on her show one time. To me it sounds New Age.

I think our main objective to any reading should be to pray that God gives us discernment and go from there.