Very thought-provokingAugust 30, 2008 Some traditional thinkers will have difficulty with this book, but I found it to very stimulating and thought-provoking.
I'm a retired and "refired" minister. I was a full time Associate Pastor in churches ranging from 300 to 3,000 in attendance for 30 years. Currently I've "refired" and am serving as an interim pastor.
ExcellentAugust 30, 2008 The most thought provoking book I've ever read. Completely brought to light an excellent understanding of God's plan for our lives and His purpose and intentions for us as human beings. Clearly explains that separate from Him, we are subject to our limitations. Defines how God is not a puppeteer, but gives us free choice to live with or without Him and how living without Him brings us extreme limitations. Amazing analogies of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.
The most refreshing, amazing book I have read in years!August 30, 2008 This is the most refreshing, amazing book I have read in years! You will cry, laugh and shake your head all at once. I don't think any book has ever resonated so deeply with me about the heart of our Creator. One word of caution: The beginning of the story is tragic, so plow through the first 4 chapters....you will be so glad you did!
John The Poet
The ShackAugust 30, 2008 Excellent book with a lot to think about. Would love to do this with a group and have lots of conversation. It was somewhat hard to get pass the "characters" but after continuing with the words it made sense. You really have to read it to understand. I found it very profound and after reading it almost a month ago I am still thinking about it and have given it to several friends and waiting for them to all finish so we can discuss. Definitely worth the read. It goes very quickly but has a lasting impression.
Counterfeit?August 30, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It took me awhile to figure out why I was disturbed by this book. After all, we all want fresh insights about our indescribably great God, and the Shack seemed to be delivering. But then things started to seem a little too flippant, and there was a growing sense that "Papa' never judged anyone for anything - just loved them. So we're not supposed to judge (that's scriptural) and 'God' doesn't either! What's wrong with this picture? A loving God has no choice but to judge all that is not holy and good. Yes He redeems it as we walk with Him, but consequences are part of the game. Secondly, on page 136 it says "both evil and darkness... do not have any actual existence". This is the opposite of what the Bible teaches. And the author of evil (do we need to name him?) would like nothing more than for us to carry on as though he did not exist. This is serious stuff here, friends. When I came out of the 'new age' movement, after experiencing some awful spiritual horrors, the one thing I could say I learned, (and I was NOT back to Christianity yet) was "I know there is good and bad". Before, it was all part of good. The Shack has some wonderful truth to it, but to me it is simply like counterfeit money.. so close to the real thing yet of no value. And it DEVALUES the Word of God (remember, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God" John 1) and there's no judgment. Pretty palatable for us creatures. Reminds me of a meal once offered so long ago in a certain garden... in the beginning... Let's not fall for it again.
