The ShackMay 9, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A friend had recommended this book as a "must read", and I am glad I took her advice.
I definately did enjoy reading this book and feel that it is possibly God inspired. What a refreshing and interesting concept to explain that we humans cannot ever put God in a box. The explanation of the Trinity was awesome. More inportant than religion, a man made concept, is a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Makes you think. Everyone should take the time to read it. I will probably re-read it.
Truth wrapped in fiction...May 8, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Shack is a book that speaks to anyone who has ever experienced hurt, pain, heartache and/or sorrow. That's all of us, right?
The first 95 pages or so sets the stage and you have begun to wonder, "Should I continue to read this book?"
Well, the answer is--the book is like a rollercoaster ride and the first 95 pages get you to the top of the first "hill". The rest of the book is the experience of a 'lifetime' and not unlike the rest of a rollercoaster ride with all the thrills.
Out of the 248 pages, I only would have left out two references. The first is a 'political' reference to a political type who is on Public TV, often. The other (near the end of the book) is a politically correct statement with homosexual overtones--two males kissing 'on the lips'. Both could have been eliminated without being missed. A very bad judgement, imho.
If you know friends or loved ones who are 'stand-offish' when it comes to Christianity, then this book is for them. The Trinity-- The Father,The Son, & The Holy Spirit--are depicted as humans and we can relate to each of them.This is not a "religious" book but it will bring an 'open-minded' person to a closer relationship with(and better understanding of) God.
I found no contridictions of Scripture in the book; however, 'new ground' was broken with some of the characterizations.
Emotionally the book is too 'strong' for young teenagers and below.
Get a copy and expect that you won't want to put it down, especially after the first 95 pages. You'll enjoy God in ways you never have before.
the ShackMay 8, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a story for those who need to have the love of God reaffirmed. Those that are joyous in their relationship with the trinity and want to read an inspired and truthful story of hope, that may bring tears of sadness, but will fill the heart with happiness.
The Shack...a modern parableMay 7, 2008 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Though a work of fiction, The Shack is full of truth. Using the story of a father who has lost a daughter, the author creates a situation where man meets God in a very real, very intimate way. Anyone who reads this will be able to see bits of themselves in the story as Mack discusses lifes biggest questions with God. Questions like "How could you let evil things happen?" and "Why didn't you protect my innocent little girl?" The author's answers, and his personification of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit may challenge your preconceived ideas of exactly who God is and what He is up to. I was personally very moved by The Shack and it has caused me to want to know God more intimately then I ever believed was possible.
WWJD?May 7, 2008 7 out of 15 found this review helpful
WWJD?
A lot a rave reviews here for the shack...but why? No offense to the author, but I found it to be quite unsatisfactory.
Here's why. No one and I mean no one knows how God would answer the questions that Mack poses, and I don't find it very interesting to hear how someone thinks He might!
If you want to know what God is really like and what He would say when He speaks, look at the life and words of Jesus Christ. I don't think that Young would disagree and he draws from Christ's character at times, but fictionalizing a dinner and star gazing session with the trinity gives the term `literary license' its own deity.
I found an objective of the book was to break the religious stereotypes people learn from their peers, church leaders and so forth, which I don't have a problem with if accompanied with strong theology, but doesn't the book's representation of God simply replace what we may title as `old stereotypes' with potential new ones?
What makes anyone credible when speaking about God is how much what they say corresponds to scripture; Young falls very short in this respect. People should be like "Wow...have you read the Gospels???" Not "Wow! did you read the shack?" One is real history, the other theological fiction.
p.s. What a strange foreword for a fictional book I thought!
