"The Shack" - Part One of a Review

Let me begin by asking you a question: What would you do if you were invited to spend a weekend with God? This is not a question we are often asked. I don't know how you would answer it, but even in thinking about it as I write this blog, I struggle with my own answer. In his powerful best-selling novel, William P. Young - he likes to be called Paul - describes how Mack Mackenzie had such an experience. The book is titled, "The Shack" (published in 2007 by Windblown Media in Los Angeles, CA).

This book has had some rave reviews. Eugene Peterson - the author of "The Message" - wrote, This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" did for his. It's that good!" Michael W. Smith, one of today's leading Christian recording artists, stated, "The Shack" is the most absorbing work of fiction I've read in many years. My wife and I laughed, cried, and repented of our own lack of faith along the way. "The Shack" will leave you craving for the presence of God."

Is this book as great a piece of literature as "Pilgrim's Progress?" Remember, that book is the most translated book in the world, second only to the Bible itself. And, that book is nearly 400 years old. Is "The Shack" in the same league as "Pilgrim's Progress?" Absolutely not! Nor can it be compared to the fictional writings of C. S. Lewis or J. R. R. Tolkein. But I found it to be a book worth reading, and over the next several weeks I want to share an extended review of the book for your own consideration.

I want to begin with some background information from the author. The main story line of "The Shack" focuses upon Mack MacKenzie whose youngest daughter was kidnapped and murdered while on a family camping trip in the mountains of Oregon. Mack is filled with anger at the one who perpetrated the crime, at himself for not being there to protect Missy, and at God for allowing it to happen. In many ways, Mack's attitude is reflective of our own. How many times do we cry out in our pain pleading with God for some type of explanation of why things happened as they did. I sadly confess that I have done this on more than one occasion. Like the prophet Habakkuk of old, I want to blame God for the problems.

The author, Paul Young, in an interview found at www.subversiveinfluence.com, shared that through a six-month period his 18 year old brother was killed, his mother-in-law suddenly died of a massive coronary at age 59, and his 5 year old niece was killed the day after her 5th birthday. Originally the story was written for his own children to help them through this time of increased grief.

The book focuses upon suffering, not unlike what we find in the story of Job. However, unlike Job, Mack Mackenzie does engage God in a conversation about why Missy's life was taken so tragically. Along the way he learns much about himself, about repentance and forgiveness, and about God.

In the interview, the author is asked if he considered this to be an "emerging church" book? He answered the question with a resounding "no!" He had no agenda for writing this book other than for his own six children.

Here are some questions to reflect upon before our next time together. Given the knowledge now of the background of the writing of this book, and given the premise that God could and would invite us to spend a weekend with Him, what would you want to share with God? What do you think God would share with you? Those questions will guide our thoughts the next time we meet at "The Shack."