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Our Goal ... not to endorse, not to bash, but to engage.
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Thoughts from Haven listeners:
Only in the last year have I begun to realize that God is not solitary. There is the joy, there is the intimacy, and there is the servanthood of the Trinity. Only in the past year have I begun to see afresh John 17 and the prayer of my savior, Jesus, that just as Father, Son, and Spirit have fellowship, I am invited into that relationship. Who would have thought? A fallen sinner, saved alone by grace, could enter into such kinship. Paul's novel has troublesome points - theologically blurring the distinctive roles of Three-in-One and One-in-Three and the unclearness of which road and how many roads lead to God. But systematics aside, the Lord used Paul's issues - abuse, affair, financial failure and who knows what else - to lead him out of his shack and into relationship with the creator God who saves and keeps. May we all find this relationship, the only way for deliverance from the shack of our lives.
Charles Morris
California
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i READ THE BOOK TWICE. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I GOT OUT OF IT OR HOW TO EXSPLIAN IT OTHER THAN TO SAY FASCINATING,INTERESTING,CAPTIVATING,THOUGHT-PROVOKING.I GUESS FOR ME IT SPOKE OF RELATIONSHIP.THE PRETRAILAL OF GOD BEING A WOMEN KIND OF BOTHERED ME.I GAVE THE BOOK TO MY BROTHER TO READ AND HE WAS KIND OF TURNED OFF BECAUSE OF THE IMAGE OF GOD BEING LIKE A AUNT JAMIMA.ALL IN ALL I LIKED THE BOOK IN THE SENSE IT LIFTED MY THOUGHTS UPWARD TO THE AWESOME CREATOR. WITH WONDER AND AMAZEMENT I CAN'T WAIT TO BE WITH MY SAVOUR,JESUS CHRIST.
JIM MARTENSON
Indiana
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I loved the book. Having lost a child and also having a 6 year old daughter, I cried through the first several chapters. The most beautiful part of the book to me was the portrait he painted of forgiveness, God-enabled forgivness. I'm still working on that!
After listening to the program, I loved the author's statement around 21 minutes: “You know, Papa, I will never again ask you again to bless anything that I do. But, if you’ve got something that you’re blessing, then it will be okay for me to hang around. I’d be all over that. And I don’t care if I clean the toilet, or shine the shoes, or hold the door open, I just want to be around you." (not sure I've quoted this verbatime)
Oh, if only all of our identities could be so wrapped up in being with and making much of God and who He is ... and not making much of ourselves. I'm grateful that we have a brother-in-Christ who is willing to be genuine, transparent, real ... and points us to spending time with God.
L. Rose
Pennsylvania
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God , in his infinite wisdom, appeared as exactly the figure Mac was willing to listen to & learn from & be challenged by while not being intimidated. Mac had a poor relationship with his biological father and that colored all his perceptions and experiences. ALSO God needed to challenge the "parameters " Mac had set on what God SHOULD be like. We don't get to define God. He defines us! And defies ALL attempts to put Him in a box. Jesus was not what the Jewish establishment expected, required. He didn't fit the description the disciples had envisioned for their Messiah. He didn't act the way his brothers thought He should act. And Paul had certainly been blinded to God's real plan by all of his misconceived notions and proper religious education.
Susan
Georgia
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The author was creative in not using the typical stereotypes of how we often describe the multifaceted chararcter of the Trinity. His ideas of how God relates to us individually was also different from other approaches I've encountered. Both of these aspects have encouraged me to consider my own preconceptions of how I think of each member of the Trinity.
J. Graham
International
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I try to listen to your program every morning but only caught the tail end of your discussion on The Shack. I have read the book and I can tell you that it touched my life in ways that I can't explain. It helped me understand things about the 3 in 1 that I am so thankful for. The way they were portrayed brought the story to a human understanding level for me about so many things. I am going to read it again. It was so uplifting in
communicating to me how much God loves us and how simple things would be if we would do things His way and not our own. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the
true love and meaning of God.
Sallye Wallace
Mississippi
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1Cor 2:11 For who knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God". I know people cannot get past the author's perceptions of God, but that's the beauty of our Lord. He will be whoever we need Him to be at the time and if Aunt Jamima is what we need then that's Who He'll be. The one thing the Holy Spirit has instilled in me is that God never comes the way we expect. Think about it, Isreal who knew the book of the law inside and out and studied the coming of the Messiah did not recognize Him when He came because He did not come as expected or as they interpreted the scriptures written about Him. I relate this also to reading the Word of God. What we read may be factual but the problem comes in how we comprehend it. That fact was never more clear than the Beattiudes where Jesus says "you say...but I say..." in which Jesus took the facts of the law to another level that could not be comprehended with human wisdom. My point is this book will challenge our theology just as Jesus challenged the theology of the Pharisess, Saducees and the Scribes of His day. But let him who has an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying. John 14:17 - For the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him for He dwells with you and will be in you" John 14:26 "But the Helper the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name He will teach you all things and bring to your rememberance all things that I said to you". Thank You God for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth who brings us the mind of God.
Giselle
North Carolina
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I am beginning Chapter 9 A Long Time Ago, In A Garden Far, Far Away, and frankly I'm having a hard time continuing to read the rest of the book, although I shall. Actually, I've had a hard time since he arrived at the shack and everything changed. I hold God in the utmost esteem, not only as my Heavenly Father, but the creator of the Universe, not that He's untouchable or unapproachable, but revered. I'm just having a hard time with this, actually it's become boring and not holding my attention as it did before we "reached the shack." I have this uncomfortable feeling as I read about these "characters" portraying the Trinity.
Barbara B.
Florida
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A year ago, I was about 1/2 way through The Shack, I said to my wife, "Honey, I think this is going to change my life...but I'm not sure I'm ready for it." I was on a very interesting journey away from the "religious" or "performance-based" form of Christianity that so many evangelicals become comfortable with, into something new and exciting. The Shack pushed me along the path I believe God was leading me already. I find it interesting that Stackhouse would say that if you want theology then this is not the book, but if you want a closer relationship with God, it's a great... Seriously, what good is theology if it doesn't lead you to intimacy with Father? What else matters? For me, sitting here with a degree in theology, nothing.
Brad
Edmonton, Canada
Brad
International
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As I listened to this mornings program I was shocked by what I heard at the end. Both on the program and here on your web site you say "Our Goal ... not to endorse, not to bash, but to engage." I have no problem with this. But then you said when you send a gift we will send out this book to you and we have stocked up copies of this book so that we can do it. What was the last book you stocked up on that you did not endorse? We are easily blinded by our own pre-ideas. Within your program you encourage listens to "over-look" the views of God within the book and search for something deeper or richer. I say this lovenly. You say and maybe believe you are not endorsing the book, but your actions say otherwise. It is like our government saying we do not encourage drug use, but here are free needles or we do not encourage teen sexuality, but here are free condomns. Actions do speak louder than words and I encourage you to be honest about this instead of saying one thing and doing something else. May God recieve the glory!
Theron
Georgia
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I thank the Lord, that I bought this book. I nevr read novels, & I still don't understand why I bought this one; but I wish that I could discuss what I read with others. I am glad for the opinions here on this sheet, but I didn't know how to get the audio you had by author for 2 nights on your program.
Ken
Pennsylvania
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I read the beginning and the end of this book. When I got to the part where he presented the Trinity, it offended my at my core. It was almost like being stabbed in the heart and I couldn't go on. I might be narrow minded, but I hold my God especially God the Father in a much higher position than I feel he was portrayed. In other words I couldn't handle "Him" being "Her". I skipped through the book til I got through the "dream" section and read the end. While there may be some worthwhile concepts here, I really feel that it is not worth causing young christians or pre-christians confusion from the unBiblical theology.
AJ
Pennsylvania
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I heard your program today, June 19th, and the topic was on the Trinity. I would like to just share on the Messianic view of the Trinity. The Word used in Torah is "Elohim" The ending "im" in Hebrew is plural, so, when talking about God, we are saying that we worship "one" (Echad) but "plural" God, So, how many Gods are there? Three? or one? we would say "ONE God" as expresed in the "Shema" (Hear O Israel, Adonai Our God, Adonai is ONE)
The word "Eloheinu" (our God) comes from "Elohim" which again is the plurality of God. What can we compare His Oneness yet plurality with?
If a family consists of a mother, a father, and a son, All three are part of the same ONE family, yet each member has his or her own identity, his or her different function. YET, how are they ONE? each memeber has the same DNA, which makes them ONE.
A good scripture to look at which expresses all THREE of the Elohim (Trinity) is Isaiah 48:16 "Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time, there AM I; and now the LORD GOD, and his SPIRIT, hath sent ME.
Yeshua (Jesus) speaking through Isaiah is saying that the FATHER and the SPIRIT has sent ME (Yeshua) and what more, all are MASCULINE sense, even the title ELOHIM indicates masculine identity, "im" being masculine in Hebrew and "ot" being femamine
Is the verse telling us that God was sent by God? Yes indeed.
and if the FATHER is masculine and THE SON masculine and also the HOLY SPIRIT (Ruach Ha Kodesh) and again, the title ELOHIM indicates masculinity. I would say that if the book "The Shack" says "her" refering to G-d, then I would say that someone has bad theology, so, check out the linguistics if nothing else.
Rabbi Petersen
Rabbi J. Petersen
Texas
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Charles, I love Haven and have enjoyed listening to you as the host of the programme for many years now. That said, I am very sad and deeply troubled that Haven is distributing this book if you help to support the ministry. If that's not an endorsement, what is? I have read several critiques of "The Shack"...the criticisms and concerns that the reviewers raise should not merely raise eyebrows in my opinion, but should be viewed as major warning bells ringing out to the entire evangelical Christian community. If this book had the name of Cult ABC attached to it, given all of the theological issues regarding doctrine that have been raised, would we be encouraging people to read it? Hopefully not! BUT, because the author professes Christ, we are all supposed to overlook the "bad theology" and read the book? Excuse me? Are we supposed to ignore the instructions clearly given to us in Titus 1 & 2, or Galatians 1?
I would love to hear you interview Dr. Albert Mohler (President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and Pastor Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church, Seattle) on the programme, just to "counterbalance" what we have heard over the last three days. These brothers called it for what it is!
In closing, one local Christian bookstore in my community has decided not to have "The Shack" on its bookshelves. They will only order it on a special request basis, so what should that tell us?
In Him,
Harry
Harry
International
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I think those who criticize this book from a theological perspective are missing the main point of the book. I have read some of the criticisms that are posted online, and will agree that they make some good points about the theological aspects of The Shack. However, I don't think that Young's reason for writing the book was to teach theology, and therefore we should recognize that and make sure that everyone understands that so that they can glean from the book the rich aspects that Young imparted, and leave the rest behind. Sometimes good authors use literary license (like the Father taking the form of a big black woman) in order to drive home their points. I think that is primarily what Young did here. I don't believe God is offended by it, and my opinion is that for the sake of the larger points of the story (which to me was that we should all open our minds and hearts to see the full wonder and beauty of God's immeasurable love for each of us, and let that new perspective transform our lives), we should be willing to separate wheat from chaff and seek ways to teach and apply the main message which is so crucial for the world and the Church to hear, while not over reacting to the theological aspects which are not the real focus of the story anyway. We can and should make theological clarifications where appropriate, but please don't condemn or throw the baby out with the bath water. Too often, Christians over react to controversial things like this and miss the great opportunity to take advantage of the debate that they create, as well as the elements of truth they present. We need to be confident Bereans who are diligent about seeking and verifying truth, and secure enough in our faith to not feel threatened every time something comes along that doesn't reconcile with our personal predispositions. Thanks Mr. Young for writing this book, and thanks Haven Today for having the courage to air these programs and not shy away from controversial subjects. You are doing the Kingdom of God a great and valuable service.
Chad Rath
Wisconsin
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My review is lengthy. Please view at
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog
Summery
To fairly critique the book I would ask the question:
What did Mack learn from his weekend with God?
The Shack is not about theology or religion, but about the sweetness of an intimate relationship with God through Christ.
Mack is reminded of basic truths found in God’s word that he allowed forgot during his great sadness. The truths are given in an unconditional casual conversation format that may make some people uncomfortable.
Mack learns that he doesn’t really trust God and “Trust is the fruit of a relationship where you know you are loved” (p 126).
Mack discovers that God’s desires an intimate love relationship with each of us. He learns God wants him to spend time with Him and intimately communicate with Him, to enjoy fellowship with Him, to trust and follow Him, and to give his life meaning and purpose. He learns that God can use all things, even sin and evil to develop this relationship for good (Romans 8:28).
Mack discovers the depth of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:4-5) . He learns that he can not be self-sufficient and realizes he has been made acceptable through Jesus Christ and Him alone. He learns he will not find God through guilt or condemnation. He understands God is lovingly and patiently waiting on Him to submit (1 Peter 5:7).
Mack is reminded of the two most important commands–to love God and love others (john 13:35). Mack already knows he must forgive others as Christ forgave Him but in the shack he is helped through the process.
Mack learns God works through everything including our brokenness and sadness (Philippians 3:8). When we are separated from our prideful flesh (the carnal, corrupted life) through grace and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us He will gradually bring us to the restful place of humble dependence, wherein we can consistently receive the grace that leads to intimacy. Beautiful, loving intimacy!
Mack learns God wants us to be made complete in Christ (John 6:44-45). God wants us to be of one mind with Him. God wants us to make His ways our ways, His thoughts our thoughts.
I came away from the book feeling loved and secure with a strong desire to cultivate my relationship with God through His Word. How can that be a bad thing?
Robin Sampson
Tennessee
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I read the book as a parable with metaphors. I found it challenging in that it began with a tragedy similar in effect to what people really experience in life, and then brings the reader slowly, meticulously into the beating heart of God's overwhelming mercy and love. I appreciate systematic theology and believe it to be of great importance. However, "The Shack" reminds us of an all important truth - God is love, is Spirit, deeply loves us, and desires close fellowship with us. We are "Mack" and in the story we are allowed to walk with him through doubts and pain into a deeper relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. We need to be careful to not over-analyze "The Shack" from a systematic theological point of view. It is literature, after all, a story that challenges our thinking, and honors the truth of the Good News and of fellowship with God. In the story God requires "Mack" to maintain the right perspective toward Him and not to do what our culture tries to do - define God in its own comfortable terms. "Mack" has to see God for who He says He is. Great book! I strongly recommend it for a good read.
Steven W Johnson
Texas
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After reading The Shack, the one overwhelming thought that occured is that we are not the center of the universe, but we are the center of God's Universe. Thanks, God, for Your Holy Scripture and books like this that help to reveal it.
Frank Higgins
Texas
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After hearing the second day's interview with Paul Young, I stopped by Borders and bought the book. I read it in three sittings. I might not have gotten past the same "bump" that stopped Charles, if it weren't for having heard the interviews.
I've been on a "God Journey" most of my life. The journey has taken me through metaphysical and organized approaches to religion of nearly every stripe. In the last year, I am blessed to have found a parish where the Living God of the Bible IS celebrated. It is my firm conviction that it was in answer to prayer that I was led to this particular manifestation of the Body of Christ.
THE SHACK validated the bounty of God's love in the midst of an outwardly chaotic "un real" world.I cried with Mack through his pain over Missy, his guilt over his father. I rejoiced as the walls of hurt,isolation and distrust dissipated. Paul Young showed so powerfully the interplay of The Trinity in action, "theology" not withstanding.
May God's Love break through to all those suffering still.May His Word be ever more transparent.
Thank you Jesus for what you have done for all of us. Also thanks to THE SHACK, there is more LIFE for me in the prayerful phrase "In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." And thanks to Haven Ministries for having brought this compelling read to my attention.
Joy Ware,
Carmel, California
Joy Ware
California
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I got The Shack early last fall and read it in two or three days. There were times that I had to put the book down because I couldn't even see through my tears. I have fallen more deeply in love with the God who loves me even more. The Trinity which always seemed such an abstract concept, became more tangible somehow. I had this idea that God was like the Wizard of Oz, behind a big curtain waiting to slam me everytime I sinned, Jesus was the 'good cop', and the Holy Spirit...well, I just didn't spend much time trying to understand that. I met Paul Young at a church in Louisiana in March. I had heard alot of the critism before going and went with the thought of carefully listening and weighing what he shared with scripture. He didn't say a single thing that I found offensive or irreverent. I loved his genuineness and honesty. He didn't need to defend his work, he just expressed his heart and what God has done in his life. He was honest enough to share things that most Christians would never share from a pulpit. It was so refreshing. I have been learning about my identity in Christ through a small group study for a number of years now. Everything I read and heard from this author confirmed things that God has been revealing for some time now. I sure didn't get it growing up in church, which is sad. The church in America is being run like businesses, bigger, better, more programs, great shows, dynamic speakers...and we miss the still small voice that longs for us to just stop and enter the love relationship that we were designed for. Out of that relationship, healing and growth can come from the Source of all Life. I am so thankful that Paul Young became a broken, empty vessel and that he was obedient to listen and share what The Holy Spirit spoke to him. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who is tired of trying to earn favor with God by works. I have bought several copies and given them as gifts, and will continue to do so. I also found it sort of funny that you said you are not endorsing the book, yet have copies to give away...sounds like an endorsment to me. What are you afraid of? I think it's just a little too much 'freedom' that scares most folks. But, it was for freedom that Christ died to set us free...so loosen that tie!
Christine
Illinois
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Did the author really go through the events described in this book (Missy) or was his great sadness from having an affair? Which is it?
Cheryl
Alaska
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I too have experienced a Great Sadness. My friend was murdered. My dad was abusive. THE SHACK helped me see forgiveness from a new light. My relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is richer and deeper because I have read this book. I urge everyone to read it.
Lynn
International
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Wow. I am so glad this discussion is "out there" and that I found it - while looking for reading group discussion questions for a meeting tomorrow morning! I think I've bought twelve copies of this book so far and those twelve have made it around to probably four others each. THE SHACK came along at a time in my life when I was discouraged with "organized" church and filled with a great sadness of my own; I was longing for a renewal of the personal connection to this Christ whose name I wear. I received much more. I find a new vitality to worship - whatever form it takes (formal, contemporary, orthodox, whatever...) and a renewed thrill to meet Christ through the Holy Spirit in daily devotions. So far - in this group of very traditional Lutherans - no one has said they've been unaffected or uninspired by this book. Isn't that worth giving God some glory?
Dinah
Tennessee
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I've been fascinated to see the progression of this book from it's relative infancy to the present. I read it in it's 3rd printing, and was confident that this book would break ground and make some headlines.
For those of you panicked at the concept of God not being represented by a HE, I can relate. i felt like I had run over a spike belt when I first encountered this "character". But in spite of my reservations I carried on till the end, and understand the authors reasons (for the sake of storytelling) to approach the Trinity in this way.
Let's not forget that only a couple of summers ago, many people were questioning
their faith, or the validity of their faith against that juggernaut The Da Vinci Code.
Well, where is that piece of fiction now? on the shelf and pretty much forgotten.
The Shack, on the other hand, is an attempt to bring glory to God, and draw people towards Jesus, not drive them away. My money is on The Shack. It's only fiction, but I've given it away confidently, knowing that God reaches people whenever they open the door, ever so slightly.
calvin
International
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Wow. I am so glad this discussion is "out there" and that I found it - while looking for reading group discussion questions for a meeting tomorrow morning! I think I've bought twelve copies of this book so far and those twelve have made it around to probably four others each. THE SHACK came along at a time in my life when I was discouraged with "organized" church and filled with a great sadness of my own; I was longing for a renewal of the personal connection to this Christ whose name I wear. I received much more. I find a new vitality to worship - whatever form it takes (formal, contemporary, orthodox, whatever...) and a renewed thrill to meet Christ through the Holy Spirit in daily devotions. So far - in this group of very traditional Lutherans - no one has said they've been unaffected or uninspired by this book. Isn't that worth giving God some glory?
Dinah
Tennessee
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Young is presenting a refreshing aspect of God which could heal many who deem Him as an old, insensative, judgmental, mean tyrant with a big stick-divorced from our pain and in some cases, causing it. Despite some awkward sentences and obvious theological loopholes, the work is riveting. I love the message of forgiveness which I believe is a universal problem with most people-save and unsaved alike. It is FICTION, so that covers the many Biblical misinterpretation, and is vastly creative. Young really kicks down our sacred cows in this work. A work of equal value is "A Step Into Deliverance" by Toni Pugh. Its autobiographical content about a pastor's spiritual journey with God is a real page-turner!
ray stone
Ohio
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AS A CHRISTIAN WHO LOVES GOD WITH ALL HER HEART AND SOUL ( AND BELIEVES IN LITERARY LICENSE) I LOVED IT!!!!!
Linda
Washington
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I am reading the book now and i dont doubt that some parts of the book are different to say the least. but it was his experience with God and we cannot be sure of his experiences all that we can do is Seek God and help us weed out anything that could be theologically incorrect. and also that the only way to know if something is missleading us away from the True God is if we know Him and His word. so i just want to encourage you, if this book has or hasnt upset you then read your bible. not trying to take away from the book but God says alot more through His words than the words of others (not that He doesnt use others to speak)
God bless you all.
matt laurie
International
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Please people, just read the Word - read the Bible - it has all and more of what you need than any book.
James Peter
California
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I started reading the book, The Shack, but as I approached the shack I was totally turned off. The thought of relating this book to Pilgrims Progress is a joke. This is just another attempt to watered down the message of salvation. This sounds like a new age movement to me. I believe the author has problems with his own relationship to God. THIS BOOK IS DANGEROUS!!!!
JUDY WILSON
North Carolina
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This book is a beautiful story, and who are you to judge how the trinity is portrayed. people who judge are missing the entire point of this book. god can be who ever and whatever he wants to be. this is just the author's interpretation - a story - and people are taking this as if this man is preaching. if you do not know of christian history, a lot of our "rules" and doctrines were written by men so what is the difference. forcing beliefs on people and telling them this book is "dangerous" or evil is quite hypocritical because your doing this to counter the book because you feel threatened. the word religion and even Christianity is not even in the bible, so what makes you critiques any better. hypocrits.
Emilio
Alabama
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Editor's Note: Your thoughts and opinions are welcomed as we do believe
this kind of interaction helps us grow and learn from each another.
However we would ask that you only share if you have read the book or
listened to the programs aired on HAVEN Today. We would also ask that all
views be expressed in a manner that clearly exhibits Christian love.
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