The Shack by William P. Young

[Anonymous]

I was fixing to say how much I gagged on the theology of The Shack. I was fixing to say how The Shack is very American and very Trinitarian. I was noticing my eyes glaze over as The Shack got technical about why there are three people in God so that relationship can exist because it already exists in God.

But then I noticed in awe the deep truths that The Shack was telling me about relationship vs. hierarchy, about condescension and voluntary limitation, about the power of unconditional love to heal wounds, about judgment and forgiveness, and about many other deep and important things. And I put away my weapons of war and observed.

I saw how and why the Trinity means so much to so many. I saw how ideas of the Trinity illuminate for many deeply important aspects of Godliness. And more importantly, I was validated and inspired in the great and core truths of humanity and divinity.

The Shack is a worthwhile glimpse into Americana and Trinitarianism that carries with it the important truths to boot. I’m glad I read it. I may even call the Highest “Papa” more often in the future when I pray.

[Anonymous]

Nice review, Tom! You made me think about a few things too. My wife read the book while I was at a conference. She couldn’t put it down. She also lost a daughter to a car accident 8 years ago, so it hit home. She loved the book.

I liked the story-telling style…and how the chapters flowed well. I too became a bit disinterested with the “shack” part of the story — and the trinity description. But you made me think of something I think is positive about the traditional view of Christianity…it is so hard to wrap my (alleged scientific) mind around, that it forces you to think in metaphor, rather than literality (my word…). And I think there is some merit in that today.

Thanks for sparking me a bit, Heaven knows I need it!

[Anonymous]

Tom, I couldn’t agree more. The theology was mind numbing in some respects, especially coming from a Mormon background, but with my new found heterodox views I got over that and saw the beauty for what he was trying to say.

Seriously, “The Shack” impacted me spiritually in a way few books have. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the emphasis on relationships was a much needed cry to action for our society.

I’ve been meaning to write a review of this book for quite some time. I’ll do so and post it.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Tom for reviewing this book.

“The Shack” is an easy, thought provoking, read.

I was given a copy of “The Shack” while trying to come to grips with the assumptive world collapse that was triggered by the stillbirth of my daughter, Emory. I think my fledgling assumptive world is less filled with guilt in part because of this book.

In the past the Trinity had been a disqualifier for me. Whatever any other church had, they were wrong about the Trinity, and if they were wrong about the nature of God they could be wrong about anything. At first I had a similar reaction to the Trinitarian viewpoint presented in this book. But over time it started to grow on me and I could look past the differences to glean some precious truths that were needful for me at that time.

I am reminded of a Sunstone Article about Heavenly Mother. The article concluded that the lack of clarity about Her allows Heavenly Mother to take whatever form that might be most helpful in the mind of the individual. Perhaps the Trinity, as it is presented in The Shack, has more flexibility to suite the needs of the individual than the Body of flesh and Bones, Perfected Man, Godhead that I am more familiar with.

I suppose my only complaint (and this might not be a big deal to others), is how God played such a crucial role in the discovery of the girl’s body and the eventual arrest of the perpetrator. I felt like if God could intervene at that point, then why not earlier when the little girl’s life might have been spared or perhaps spared any other little girls that might have been victimized during the past year.

I think that the author did that to show that the main character’s “shack” experience was more than just a dream, more than just something of personal significance for him, but a miraculous experience that allowed him to know things that couldn’t have been known otherwise. For me this became a distraction from the better miracle – that miracle of forgiveness and letting go, the miracle of seeing beyond our own pain to meaningfully touch the lives of others. I would have been happier if the book had ended on this note, without the nice little “case closed” package that was also included.

[Anonymous]

My favorite lessons from The Shack include:

1. God doesn’t worry about responsibilities. God wants us to be in a place where we are able to respond when called upon.

2. There are no expectations only expectancy.

Those two concepts changed my life.

Now while reading Eckhart Tolle “A New Earth” I can see where these two lessons are really about living in the present.

Mormonism was all about responsibilties and expectations that I couldn’t meet at the time and the book helped my rethink those paradigms.

I have read the book at Christmas 2 years in a row and plan to make it a yearly tradition. I find that I feel the spirit of Christmas more when I read that book.

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

I suppose my only complaint (and this might not be a big deal to others), is how God played such a crucial role in the discovery of the girl’s body and the eventual arrest of the perpetrator. I felt like if God could intervene at that point, then why not earlier when the little girl’s life might have been spared or perhaps spared any other little girls that might have been victimized during the past year.

I think that the author did that to show that the main character’s “shack” experience was more than just a dream, more than just something of personal significance for him, but a miraculous experience that allowed him to know things that couldn’t have been known otherwise. For me this became a distraction from the better miracle – that miracle of forgiveness and letting go, the miracle of seeing beyond our own pain to meaningfully touch the lives of others. I would have been happier if the book had ended on this note, without the nice little “case closed” package that was also included.

I can appreciate that. Good observations, Roy.

[Author]

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