A Readers' Group Review of the Shack by William Young

What follows is a summary of the discussion by the Readers’ Group that I lead, as part of the discipleship at our church. This was in response to the list of questions I posed for the group – all of which may be found at the end of this summary.

STYLE

Some of the group felt that the book had been written in three distinct styles, and that there were times when, for various reasons, they felt they didn’t want to read on. However, we all agreed that we found ourselves increasingly drawn into the story and, despite its sometimes harrowing nature, thought it an amazingly uplifting novel, overall. Certainly one which we would be happy to pass on to non-believers to open up a dialogue about faith.

WHERE IS GOD WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?

The theme is stated on the back cover of the book as “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” Most of the group felt that this issue was the biggest stumbling block for unbelievers, though some thought it a cop-out: a mere excuse for lack of faith in the sense of a rhetorical, almost sarcastic question, “and where is God when you need him?”

When the question is re-phrased as “Where does God stand when it comes to suffering” some of the group felt that non-believers, and possibly some Christians, seem to take this to mean does God “allow” suffering (in the sense of “sending” it). Personally, in the light of James 1:13, I don’t think believe that God “sends” pain. However, his stance on suffering is very clearly demonstrated in the crucifixion. But not simply as an illustration: Father and Son suffered in agony. They don’t just use our pain to make us into “better people”. They know it. They feel it. Because they’ve “been there” and “done that”.

HOW ARE WE TO DEAL WITH CHRISTIAN BELIEF THAT THE BOOK IS HERETICAL?

When it came to the reviews quoted in the Questions, and others that members of the group had read online, the Oedipus complex was dismissed as rubbish. The issue, quite simply, did not occur to any of the readers.

Some of the women questioned the men in the group as to their reaction to a female God, and received an overwhelmingly positive response. So often, if was felt, the church was perceived as stern and legalistic and, by implication, so was God. Consequently, the motherly, nurturing aspects of a plump black woman called Papa, conjured up an altogether softer, more approachable image. After all, said one woman – a retired missionary – if God could choose to appear to Moses as a burning bush, why not as a woman to Mack. By toppling all our previously held conceptions, Papa was seen to be an accessible figure! Which, of course, was the reason the temple curtain was torn on Jesus’ death.

There was some discussion about the importance of numbers and symbolism. Missy was six and a half years old when she disappeared: not quite the perfect seven of the Bible. It was three and a half years (half of seven) after her death before Mack returned to The Shack. And then there was the Narnia-esque metaphor of Winter turning to Spring when he found Missy there.

By far the most difficult passage in the book came at the end of Chapter Twelve. “Is that what it means to be a Christian,” asks Mack. “Who said anything about being a Christian?” Jesus replies. “I’m not a Christian.” He then goes on to list people from every creed, race and political persuasion, as well as those of the criminal class and the self-righteous. All, he declares, may love him and be transformed into Papa’s sons and daughters without ever becoming Christians.

Controversial? I’ll say! Heretical? I don’t think so. When asked by Mack if that means that all roads lead to him, Jesus replies unequivocally that most roads lead nowhere, but that he will travel any road to find “you”. That’s you, and me!

The discussion that followed questioned the relationship of faith and deeds and asked if leading a good life was a prerequisite of a Christian. Clearly not, we concluded, given that the thief on the cross had no time to make amends for his wickedness, yet was emphatically and instantly accepted by Jesus and given access to Paradise. With that in mind, how can we doubt that we may well encounter many of those listed on page 182 if, and when, we reach heaven ourselves?

Hard stuff to comprehend. But as one member put it: God often offends the head, in order to reach the heart.

This is, in my view, definitely a book for our time. Whatever we think of the book, in the light of Philippians 1:15-18, how can we doubt that God brought it into being for this time of recession, when losses of all kinds are being visited upon mankind on an unprecedented global scale? Loss of a child may be the ultimate pain. But loss of job; economic stability; self-worth; home; marriage; perhaps, even, family must come pretty high in the suffering stakes. And if there’s one thing that this book shows, it’s that Christian belief in the grace and compassion of God is the answer to everything. The only answer!

QUESTIONS

PART ONE: GENERAL IMPRESSIONS

• What do you think of the style in which the book is written?


• Can you identify the theme of the book?


• The book was originally self-published and, it has been said, would have benefited from editing. Do you agree?


• Following is a comment left by the reader of a review of The Shack. Would you agree that this sums up the plot? “The main character seems to be going through a psychic metamorphis (SP) of sorts….
  


• 
  Mac has a cruel father. Mac, as a child runs away from home after poisoning his fathers liquor bottles, and finds a wife that has more mother-like qualities than spouse qualities…he comes to the shack with anger towards a Father God who has allowed the horrific death of his child…he is greeted by a motherly figure called Papa, in place of the “traditional” father God…the mother, as his wife has, can communicate with Mac, Mac hears his own thoughts, and they are comforting….in the end the mother is replaced with a middle aged man (Mac himself) and the oepidal complex (Mel’s notes: Oedipus complex – identified by Freud – is the subconscious sexual desire of a – usually male – child for its mother and consequent exclusion of its father) is complete. He has replaced his earthly father (killing him and marrying a mother figure) and then replaces his Heavenly father (with a mother figure, then himself). The cycle is complete, the complex remains.”
  


• Do you think these images are helpful a) to Christians; b) to non-Christians.


• Depending upon what you answered in Q2, why do you think the book has become so popular? (The theme is stated as “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?”).

PART TWO: POSITIVE PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS

• Did you find the book enjoyable / beneficial / inspirational? If so, how / in what way? (A ‘No’ answer will be dealt with later).


• Thinking of other examples of allegory – e.g. Narnia Chronicles (C.S.Lewis); Pilgrim’s Progress (John Bunyan) do you think this a good medium in which to convey spiritual mysteries? a) to Christians? b) to non-Christians? (A ‘No’ answer will be dealt with later).


• How do you think this story might have a positive effect on non Christians?


• Has the story helped you to talk to non-Christians about the Gospel?

PART THREE: NEGATIVE OPINIONS

• Are there inherent dangers in interpretation of allegory a) on the part of the author? b) on the part of the reader?


• Do you think the book’s popularity is due to an emotional reaction rather than a reasoned or spiritual response?


• If so, what does this tell you about its readers? Do you think they – Christians and non-Christians – are searching for a God they don’t find elsewhere?


• Following is a review of the book. Would you agree with the conclusions and if so, how? (The website below accesses the entire argument) “The Shack has been received among Christians with decidedly mixed reviews. While many have acclaimed it as a groundbreaking story that brings to life heart-stirring theology, others insist that some of what it teaches is patently unbiblical.” /archives/book-reviews/a-review-of-the-shack-download-it-here.php
  


• Does the following statement make you feel uncomfortable? If so, why? “Where Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver says it “has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim Progress did for his,” Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary says, “This book includes undiluted heresy.”
  

PART FOUR: CONCLUSIONS

• Did you come to the Readers’ Group with firm opinions – either positive or negative – about the book?


• Will you be leaving, tonight, with those views unchanged?


• If not – i.e. you are now either more positive or negative about the book – will that help your personal walk with God?


• Will the shaping / reshaping of your views help you to challenge non-Christian perspectives in a positive and helpful way?

A Readers' Group Review of the Shack by William Young