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An associate recommended that I read “The Shack,” a book that explores God’s presence in personal tragedy. As someone who is not a fan of Christian novels, I initially felt dissatisfied but decided to continue reading. I found the author’s descriptive prose entertaining, although at times I became more focused on analyzing the writing style rather than the content. The book took a Lewisian turn in chapter 7, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s use of metaphor and allegory to portray the character and attributes of God.
The author, Young, employs modern metaphors to depict God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, using the dynamics of a family relationship to explain the concept of the Trinity. While some portrayals caught me off guard, such as God being depicted as an Aunt Jemima-like figure, the author explains that God appears in a form that individuals can relate to. Jesus is portrayed as a handyman fisherman, and I didn’t fully grasp the representation of the Holy Spirit.
Looking beyond the entertainment value, I began examining the book’s theology and concluded that Young espouses classic Pelagianism, a belief that denies the tainting of human nature by original sin and emphasizes humanity’s ability to choose good or evil without divine assistance. This view contrasts with orthodox Christian theology, which recognizes the need for God’s grace in salvation. Young’s depiction of God in the book reflects a hands-off approach, similar to the clockmaker who winds up a clock and lets it run its course, intervening only occasionally to avoid interfering with human free will.
Young’s portrayal of the sovereign God described in the Bible seems influenced by Harold S. Kushner’s book, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” which challenges God’s omnipotence and omniscience. The book explores themes of blame and anger toward God for personal loss and raises questions about the purpose of suffering. In my counseling ministry, I have encountered individuals who are dissatisfied with their circumstances and blame God for not granting them a better life. They struggle to understand the purpose of suffering and often overlook the biblical teaching that trials and tribulations can shape and transform us.
Young’s attempt to personalize the Godhead by introducing two female members raises questions about the scriptural portrayal of God. The absence of feminine depictions in biblical theophanies and Christophanies contradicts Young’s approach. Perhaps he aimed to introduce diversity and foster human identification with God, but the comparison to C.S. Lewis’s portrayal of Aslan the lion as a representation of Christ is more readily understood.
My main concern with the book lies in Young’s inadequate understanding of sin, salvation, and the Gospel. His statements imply that forgiveness alone guarantees a relationship with God, overlooking the foundational doctrine of justification by faith. The book fails to address the question of eternal damnation and instead suggests that lack of relationship condemns individuals to hell, implying that unbelief is the primary sin.
In summary, “The Shack” is an entertaining read that I would categorize alongside Christian romance novels On Vampire Romance Books - It's no surprise that there's a significant trend for vampire romance novels today. Romance fiction has always been popular throughout history, with famous love stories from Shakespeare to Emily Bronte and Jacqueline Susann. Women of all ages turn to romance novels to fulfill parts of their lives that may not exist in their own realities.… rather than in the same league as classics like “Pilgrim’s Progress.” For a biblically grounded book on dealing with personal suffering, I recommend Jerry Bridges’ “Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts.” Bridges delves into God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love, providing a more satisfying and scripturally sound perspective.
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