Book Review

I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. Have you heard of it? This book is a work of fiction, but is a recommended reading for every christian, seeking the true heart of God. Now that I've stated that, I will tell you, there is a lot of controversy regarding this book, but again, please note, this is a work of fiction. This book challenged my thinking in regard to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity and how they relate to each other and to me, love, submission, independence, responsibility, and many other things.

To give you an example, when I think of what God looks like, I see an older white man with white hair and a white beard and mustache - much like the modern day Santa Claus, but not as round or jovial. In this book, God is portrayed as a black woman called 'Papa'. Strange...yes. But, that alone caused me to think outside my box. I don't know what God looks like and to presume he is my version is just one of the ways I put Him and my version of Christianity in a box and limit my trust in Him.

I want to share one passage that really struck a chord with me. This passage reminds me of what I read in my Bible in John 1:1
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood^[a] it.

It's a conversation Mack, the main character of the book, is having with the Holy Spirit about independence:

"Mackenzie, evil is a word we use to describe the absence of Good, just as we use the word darkness to describe the absence of Light or death to describe the absence of Life. Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life." (p.136)

If you have a chance, check your local library or Amazon.com for this book. Then let me know what you think!