The Shack Review

Note: We decided to bring this older post up in case some missed this. Reminder to please continue to pray for Kit, and his family. Thank you.

Several people have asked me what I think about the book The Shack by William Young. I just finished reading the book.

First let me say that the book is basically a discussion about what theologians call the "Problem of Evil". It is a problem presented to the Christian worldview. How can a good, all powerful and loving God allow a world like this which is filled with so much evil and suffering?

Anyone that has even a cursory understanding of Christian Theism, knows that this worldview presents an excellent and profound answer to this question which is completely tenable. All major ideologies/philosophies/religions struggle to answer the problem of evil. In my humble opinion, all except Christian Theism fail miserably in giving a coherent and logical explanation of the problem of evil. Hinduism, to support its monist worldview for example, posits evil and suffering as illusion (maya)...tell that to the starving child...even my personal suffering was undeniably real. Denying the reality of suffering and evil is no solution and completely untenable. Buddhism, the reformation of Hinduism, offers a series of infinite causes and effects (which is a logical impossibility by the way)...classical Buddhism knows of no personal transcendent creator that loves you or cares about you, instead the hope of Buddhism is based on a set of principles and practices to escape the pain and the suffering of the world...yet everyone continues to experience, pain, suffering and evil...even the Dalai Lama...so what hope do the adherents have. Atheism and human secularism have nothing to offer the human soul because this worldview posits that we are mere products of auto organized chemicals burped up by an uncaring universe. Only Christian Theism makes sense out of evil and suffering.

According to Christian Theism evil and suffering are very real indeed, but so is the existence of a loving personal creator God. God endowed humankind with the ability to make moral choices, to love... and this limited freedom also allows humankind to choose evil, which brings in suffering and this is precisely what has happened. Humankind's choices have brought evil and suffering into the world. The beauty of Christian Theism is that God has the antidote for evil and suffering. It is comprised of the forgiveness of God to His creatures through the sacrifice of His sinless Son. His sinless life in exchange for our life of sin. Evil and suffering is swallowed up by the cross of Christ. Right now, God is allowing some evil and suffering, which He works towards His good purposes, for a season...waiting patiently for all His children to come to Him...then He will wrap it up...creating a new heaven and new earth without evil and suffering. This book, The Shack, does an excellent job dealing with the problem of evil. It also deals with forgiveness in a very powerful and Biblical way.

The most interesting and powerful discussion in the book is author William Young's attempt to give an explanation to the average human mind of how God can have a compound nature (be a Trinity)...how can God be one yet three persons? Young breaks through stereotypes in the way he presents the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. I think Young's approach may only be offensive to the overly religious...which Jesus had a hard time with also! I think Young's approach is basically genius since it just neutralizes all the ridiculousness surrounding God's male/femaleness etc....as if God, an infinite, spiritual being can be boxed into gender, which is a human thing not a divine thing. Within the book, there are some theological discussions that would cause some legitimate debates, but overall, this book does a fantastic job of presenting the Trinity, answering the problem of evil and dealing with unforgiveness.

So, I highly recommend this book. In fact, I believe reading this book will be a wonderful, Biblically based, yet completely unique experience with God. So there you go...I had so many people ask me about this book I had to respond. If you are interested in these type of discussions...you can go to my Apologetics site, called Reasons and Answers at hopechapelmaui.com...

{Shelly and I are still planning on coming home to Maui, June 1st. We thank you so much for your love, prayers and support...you guys are simply awesome. I am praying for you today!}

Love
Kit & Shelly