For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
What was cool
- Nearly all the theology is orthodox (God, man, the atonement, righteousness judgment, justice, spirituality...)
- Especially good is the exploration of the dynamics among the members of the Trinity.
- Deity is neither male nor female, though he initially appears to the protagonist as female because his own father-wound is so deep.
- The Shack helps us wrestle with the problem of pain, and often on a very personal and emotional level.
What was off
- The notion that God does not punish -- that sin is its own punishment (p.122). While there is some truth to this point, the book misses the punitive aspect of divine judgment.
- "Spending eternity in hell" (p.16) reflects traditional eschatology. For more, see Fudge, The Fire that Consumes,or my paper on Terminal Punishment.
- It is implied, though not stated, that all roads lead to God (p.184). Sounds right in the modern ear; comes rather close to a "politically correct" take on tolerance, in contrast to Jesus' own teaching in Matthew 7:13-14.
- Some will find overly literal interpretation of some of the poetic parts of the Bible (e.g. 136).
Interesting...
- Reference to The Matrix (p.126). Compare "Papa" with "the oracle."
- In Maori religion, the earth mother is called "Papa" (a complete coincidence).
- This book will be of special interest to fathers, and in fact to anyone coming from a background of family dysfunction.
Conclusion
- For those who value spiritually connecting with others, reaching out to unbelievers, this book is good news!
- The book may be written in 2007, but it will be hot for a long time. The Shack is making many people think about God. May it continue to do so!
