I received the New York Times bestselling book The Shack for Christmas. I had heard a lot of good things about the book, and a few bad. Before I really got into the book I did some google and youtube searches on it to see what people were saying. I was pretty surprised by the result of my searches. There were many positive reviews by people like Eugene Peterson, Steve Berger, Wayne Jacobsen and everyone's favorite Contemporary Christian artist Micheal W. Smith, however I found many very negative reviews with some even calling the book heresy. How could so many Christians such strong and differing opinions on this book? One negative review on the book done by Mark Driscolle (pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington) said that the book, among other things, taught goddess worship. I was pretty taken back by this statement however I later found that Mark never actually read the book. On the other hand I read some blogs that were promoting The Shack on the same level as scripture. This book has definitely caused quite a stir!
I would love to see what you think of the book. I'm not sure how many of you have read it, but if you have please let me know what you thought. If you haven't, what have you heard from others that have, or even people who haven't read it.
I'm planning to write a full review on the book next week when I am done reading it.
Todd, I read the book almost a year ago and had to do a lot of thinking as I read it and after I finished it. I think that the most important thing to remember is that it's FICTION! It's not meant to be doctrine so don't hold on to what the author says as though our faith depends on it.
Again, IT'S FICTION. There were some things that gave me pause [I don't want to give anything away so I have to be careful here] and one in particular almost made me put the book down. But I kept reading, wanting to give the author the benefit of the doubt. I'm glad that I did because the author's Poetic License made me think about my own relationship with God, how I see Him and what misconceptions or preconceptions I may have.
As to whether or not I'd recommend it to a non-Believer or new/immature Believer, I'd exercise caution. Why? Because I think that reading it requires some spiritual discernment.
So, keep in mind that's it's fiction (I've said that a few times, huh?) and allow God to use it to challenge you in your relationship with Him.
Happy Reading,
Dee