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The Shack I recently had a friend call and ask if I had heard anything about the book by William P. Young called The Shack. Interestingly, I was already reading the book because someone on our staff had given us a copy to read. He quickly asked what I thought about it, then asked if I would write a Reflection about the book. Hence, here I am writing. I normally don’t bother to read books that are popular in the church because most often they are just another “pump-up-your-flesh, stir-your-emotions, get-you motivated-to-get-busy” kind of book. But when something is as controversial as The Shack, I get very interested because I begin to smell the potential of the Spirit of God moving. So often we forget that Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34). Jesus’ life and ministry was very offensive to religious people, so wherever Christians are stirred up about something, I figure there must be something to it. So it is with the Shack. I just finished reading the book last night, and it was like a breath of fresh air to me. The main story in the book is one of a fellow who was depressed for years because of the alleged murder of his daughter. He is angry with God and himself for what has happened. God sends him an invitation to spend a weekend together and the story moves forward from there as Mack interacts with the three parts of the Trinity throughout the weekend. If you read and miss the author’s heart, his intent, you will be offended at many things in the book. For example, God (Papa) manifests Himself to Mack as an large black woman, but later explains that He really is neither male nor female. He has done this to blow away Mack’s concept of who He really is and to meet Mack where he is at in his own hurts & history. If you read The Shack trying to prove what you believe you will likely be offended. If you read The Shack with the ears of your heart and spirit, there will be the sweet aroma of Life that will minister freedom to your soul. Eugene Peterson called The Shack the Pilgrims Progress for this generation. However, I find it more profound than that. I have never found the one true God to be the person that religion has made Him out to be. So much of the message that Young gives in The Shack parallels the teachings God has given me to share through LCMI. The Shack is not for the faint of heart, and it certainly is not for those who are content in their religion. But, if you are up to reading something WAY outside the box, I highly recommend The Shack. If you are offended at the book, then you have missed the author’s intent (which is the very heart of God) and you might just want to ask yourself if you really know God. It may be that you are just caught up in yet another religious structure that in the end is really anti-Christ. Shalom, (to Learn More about The Shack visit http://theshackbook.com
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