My Review of The Shack
Two nights ago, I completed my reading of The Shack. I’d hesitated to read the book, mostly from hearing what folks like Mark Driscoll and Tim Challies had to say. After some conversations with people about the book, including Julie, I was encouraged to read the book and form my own opinion.
First, the good. It’s a good story. It’s fiction and I think it’s important that we keep the book in that perspective. Mack deals with tragedy in his life and as a result, he struggles with his faith. There are a lot of people in the world that have the same story as Mack. That’s one reason why I think this book is so appealing. It’s relevant to a lot of people’s lives.
Perhaps the best section in the entire book, and one part I whole-heartedly agree with, happens when Jesus is talking to Mack. In the context of Mack seeing “church” as an institution, Jesus says:
“Mack, that’s because you’re only seeing the institution, a man-made system. That’s not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs.”
Later, Jesus adds:
“It’s simple, Mack. It’s all about relationships and simply sharing life. What we are doing right now – just doing this – and being open and available to others around us. My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can’t build it. It’s my job and I’m actually pretty good at it,” Jesus said with a chuckle.
The church is not a building. It is the body of Christ lifting up His name and being in relationship with one another. That part, I can agree with.
The book’s downfall is when people read it as if it were theological truth about the trinity. It’s dangerous because while the book is fiction, Young (the book’s author) interjects his own views throughout the book. Many non-Christians and immature Christians are reading this book and thinking its presentation of the trinity and some of the statements made in the book are truth.
To be clear, my complaint with the book is that it could lead people astray. I would only recommend the book to mature Christians, or those that can keep its fictional perspective in view while reading.
