Bishop's Book Review
"The Shack"
by William P. Young
(Windblown Media, 2007)
Of all the books I have reviewed in these years, “The Shack” has been probably the most popular. I see this book mentioned in congregational newsletter articles. People recommend it constantly to me. Others on Sunday morning around this Synod ask me what I think of the book. Indeed, the copy I own is a gift from a parishioner. Thank you, Dale Eltman!
“The Shack” is a systematic theology disguised thinly as a novel. It represents well the thinking of a 21st century author who is both immersed in evangelical religious conviction and American in individualistic culture. In some ways, it is a modern version of C.S. Lewis’ classic “The Screwtape Letters” in that the story of the book is shaped by a religious message the author wants to popularize. And, in both cases, the books have an almost whimsical attachment to reality.
“Mack” is an evangelical Christian who is overwhelmed by the world. His daughter is murdered. And now in deep depression, he is invited by God to a shack in the middle of the woods. Drawn to this unlikely Mount Sinai, this man meets God. God the Father is portrayed as an African American woman; God the Son is a young carpenter complete with tools, and God the Holy Spirit is a feminine mystery woman. And, in this meeting with the divine, Mack is healed and even re-born.
In the book, Young hits many of the systematic theological topics, including: the Trinity, nature of freedom, nature of the will, nature of God, healing miracles, suffering and pain, Jesus as God, Spirit, Trinitarian hierarchy, Trinity as relationship, sin, good and evil, relationship between men and women, judgment, love, cross, church, universalism, reality, and forgiveness. As a Lutheran I was struck by how much I could agree with. Indeed, the theology unfolds in an orthodox way - for the most part. However, I felt his ideas on the church and justification by faith were inadequate and incomplete with confusing comments made about both the institutional church and the universal church of Jesus Christ. Young says in the voice of Jesus, “My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can’t build it.” Perhaps, but I wanted more explanation!
In many ways, this book was written for Americans who seek an individualistic relationship with God and God’s people the Church. I wish Young also spent more time on the atoning death of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Eucharist to the world. Both were largely missing.
This is a novel and one man’s attempt to explain God to a world that is hurting, lost and lonely. In that I congratulate the author for his effort. I recommend this book as a wonderful way to explore the Grace of God. I hope many of our congregations use this work as an opportunity for adult study groups. The fact that “The Shack” is a best seller tells me that it is an approachable way (even with its imperfections) for the Church to explore what it believes about God and God’s work in our world.
+Thomas A. Skrenes, Bishop