Mr. Ward
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Saturday, Jun 28th, 2008 ↓
Now for the parts I didn’t like. First, this is a fiction book that pretends to be non-fiction. Normally, that’s ok; but with a subject this important, it feels almost subversively deceptive. Second, the writing in this book is over simplistic. I understand that Young’s goal was to be accessible to most everyone, but the style he chose bored me. Third, the framework of the narrative bothered me. Can one only come to these understandings following a tragedy? If nothing really bad ever happens to you, will you not get to commune with God? Also, the “was it real or only a dream” felt a bit trite. I almost expected someone to say, “And I’ll miss you most of all”. Of course, there had to be something about reconciling with your inadequate father. What is it with baby boomers? Fourth, there were a few issues that I felt were glossed over or ignored. The mini-discussion of hell felt almost PC. The part about there being no rules or expectations rang a bit hollow as well.
“The Shack” is a good book for new Christians or for those who feel trapped in religion and are looking for spirituality. I just wish it had been better written and more complete.
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SBC: wk3(a)
I finished “The Shack” by William P. Young last night on the plane. This book has received tremendous reviews and even been compared to “Pilgrim’s Progress”. That’s pretty high praise. The set-up is simple. Mack experiences a horrific tragedy that brings about The Great Sadness on his life. He decides to go visit a shack where the events took place. Once he gets there, he meets God. Actually, he meets all three parts of the trinity in person form. Over the next three days, they explain to Mack the true meaning of who they are, deal with his pain, and bring him to a new understanding of what life is all about. Young does a good job of answering many of the questions and addressing misconceptions about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It is all about relationships; and this book explains that well.Now for the parts I didn’t like. First, this is a fiction book that pretends to be non-fiction. Normally, that’s ok; but with a subject this important, it feels almost subversively deceptive. Second, the writing in this book is over simplistic. I understand that Young’s goal was to be accessible to most everyone, but the style he chose bored me. Third, the framework of the narrative bothered me. Can one only come to these understandings following a tragedy? If nothing really bad ever happens to you, will you not get to commune with God? Also, the “was it real or only a dream” felt a bit trite. I almost expected someone to say, “And I’ll miss you most of all”. Of course, there had to be something about reconciling with your inadequate father. What is it with baby boomers? Fourth, there were a few issues that I felt were glossed over or ignored. The mini-discussion of hell felt almost PC. The part about there being no rules or expectations rang a bit hollow as well.
“The Shack” is a good book for new Christians or for those who feel trapped in religion and are looking for spirituality. I just wish it had been better written and more complete.