The Shack
I know that men much smarter than I will probably make mincemeat of the theology presented in William P. Young’s The Shack. I found a lot to question as well. That being said, I enjoyed the book and it made a significant impact on me. My lovely bride will confirm to anyone who asks that I am a non-relationalist and probably one from birth. What is a "non-relationalist" (if there is such a term)? It is someone who is so focused on the analytical that he usually misses most of the relational aspects of life. I don’t necessarily like this about myself but do confess it to be true. It is not that I don’t want relationships — I want them very much. Its just that I don’t naturally gravitate to the "feelings side" when I can camp out on the more familiar (and safer) turf of the "thinking side." This proclivity of mine has not been limited to earthly relationships but also applies to heavenly ones. I have to be in a pretty desperate state of mind before I open up and pray for God to really touch my life rather than just fix the problem.

In The Shack Young’s treatment of the gospel as it is worked out in our lives is life-changing, at least for me. Without being a "plot spoiler" The Shack is about Mack whose daughter is kidnaped and murdered by a serial killer. Four years after the murder, he receives a note inviting him to meet with God at the same remote shack where his daughter was abused and murdered. Though he thinks it is a crazy idea, he goes and spends the weekend with God, all Three Persons (all dust jacket or Amazon information). What particularly grabbed me about the book was the way the author treated the relationships among the Trinity and how that relates to us as God lives in us. For one of the few times in my life I felt like I understood what true relationship looks and feels like. I will probably read the book again in a few weeks just to cement some of the encouraging parts in my mind. I would caution that as this book sweeps through the Christian (and non-Christian) community, many are becoming devotees and are uncritical of some of the very incomplete theology in the book. Read it with caution and expect to be challenged at some points. I think this is a great book for a discussion group.