The Shack is an amazing book. Not only is the storyline compelling, but how the book came into publication in 2007 is a tribute to the tenacity and sacrifice of the author, William P. Young. The Shack was a #1 New York Times Bestseller for 70 weeks, with over 10 million copies in print by 2009. The movie version is to be in theaters on the day this blog is published – March 3, 2017.
This highly spiritual and emotional book raises some compelling issues. A father dealing with the apparent abduction and violent death of his daughter receives a visit from a surprising manifestation of God. Through conversation and confrontation, Mack Phillips moves from anger at God to forgiveness of his deepest hurts. This fictional story will open new insights into God, human hurts, and the ongoing quest for understanding why bad things happen.
It wasn’t until the book had been released for 10 years that I read it. Christian leaders were often divided in their opinion on the book. So I decided to read it myself and I am glad I did.
For the most part I enjoyed the book. For those who have not read it I do not want to spoil the plot. There really isn’t a ‘surprise’ ending, but I still want to withhold some of the details so you can get the full impact from the book or movie. But I think I can share some of my favorite themes and some warnings.
Good Fiction….
Though the book presented God as very relatable and likable, it still depicted God as way beyond our comprehension. Read some of the narrative God uses for Divinity in the book: “The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn’t much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I’m not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think.”
I also liked the interaction between the members of the Trinity. It was refreshing. Depicted as three separate people, they were in complete fellowship and love and interacted with respect and even humor. A wonderful insight presented was that all the love and relationship we find in our world has its origin in the love and relationship God has always had within the Trinity for all eternity. Love and relationship is possible because of God.
Bad Theology….
Though it is a wonderful story, it must be remembered that this book is not a doctrinal book. It is fictional and has a lot of weak theology. It was very loose on the doctrine of who God is. God was presented as three normal people. The Father was a black woman. Jesus was a young man. The Holy Spirit was a beautiful woman. The ‘Father’ argues that God is neither male nor female so can appear however He wants. Yet, every time God appears in the Bible, He is always a male and is described as a male. I am very fearful of portraying God as anything that He is not. This story leans dangerously close to idolatry by depicting God in visual form. The 2nd of the 10 Commandments forbids making “any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above” (Exodus 20:4) which includes God. Caution is to be taken to form any image of God. God cannot be reduced to an image. Jesus is God incarnate and is the only “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Jesus is male. This story tries to make God more like us than He really is.
The book comes across that it doesn’t matter what religion you have or your belief system. As long as you love God, you are okay. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6). No religion can make you right – even Christianity. Only Jesus can. And it’s not just to love God or love Jesus. You need to trust Jesus, and Jesus only, as Lord and Savior.
The book is very weak on sin and judgment. Sin becomes its own judgment. Though the story is very strong on forgiveness, there is very little accountability for one’s actions except for its emotional effect on the person’s sin. But the Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Sin will be judged and was judged with a violent death in the body of Jesus on the cross. Sin is not its own judgment. Sin will be judged.
But with so many flaws, I think the book shines in its portrayal of forgiveness and the struggle to forgive. As Mack has to work through his pain, he discovers the freedom of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not so much for those we forgive, but for ourselves. We often want the one who has hurt us or our loved ones to suffer. But if we choose not to forgive, they continue to hurt us long after they are gone. Forgiveness, though difficult, is of extreme benefit.
For its story value, this book is very gripping. It will make you feel and emotionally react in a good way. Your spirit will be uplifted and give you positive steps you can make toward living a better and more peaceful life with others. Yet, beware that there are some unbiblical and weak positions taken that could give some people some problems. If you can eat the fish and spit out the bones, you will be enriched. But if you are looking for a good story with a solid Biblical foundation, you’d better read another book or go see another movie.
What do you think of the Book or Movie?