The Shack, by Wm Paul Young
When a book, which was turned down by all publishers and ends up being self published, sells over a million copies and enters numerous best selling book charts, it has done something well. When the same book gets praise from across the globe, and is described variously as “The most heart warming, inspirational story I have read in decades”, “Riveting” and “a beautiful story of how God comes to find us in the midst of our sorrows, trapped by disappointments, betrayed by our own presumptions,” then we can really believe it is something special.
And The Shack certainly is. J. John, preacher, teacher and writer, reckons 'if you only read only book this next year...' If you are only going to read one book, you want it to be entertaining, informative, moving, and one that you would be unable to put down. The Shack certainly fits the bill.
Following the moving story of Mack, including the abduction of his youngest daughter and the great sadness that descends upon him, he then receives a strange note, apparently from God. The notes invites Mack back to 'the shack' where his nightmare began.
Without giving too much away, Mack goes back to the shack and gets answers about his pain. The book deals sensitively with issues such as 'where is God' and, portrays, the Trinity in a unique and interesting way – perhaps not entirely consistent with the Bible but certainly a way that enables you to start to understand how the Trinity may work.
An exciting and gripping story – just right for a holiday read and relevant for both Christians and non-Christians alike. But remember, it is only a story. Some people (including some I have a lot of respect for) have got very worked up about it, questioning some of the theological assumptions made, and its Biblical relevance, but it is just a story based very much on the author's personal life and his own faith journey. It will make you cry, laugh and think more about God
If you are not yet convinced, you can preview the book at www.theshackbook.com, but be prepared to dash out and find a copy as you won't be content with just the first chapter.
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