Have you read this book? What did you think ? I hear it is the talk in many homes. Does he go to far ? Is it another book just stiring up what we already know?? It is not for the a baby Christian.

I just put this book pn my wish list...I am number   267!!!  What have I been Missing????      

Erin, it's really good.  I think there are a couple things that some Christians have problems with.  I remember one paragraph in particular that I thought was kind of off, but for the most part, I thought it was a good read.  My pastor's wife loves it, actually to the point where we're going to have a sermon series on it starting next week.  And then we're having the author come and speak with the women of our church later this year. 

I don't think it's just stirring up what we already know.  I think it just puts things in a different persepective, or shines a different light on certain things.  I also think it's fine for a baby Christian.  The most important thing to remember is that it is fiction.  It's not meant to be taken as biblical truth.

I actually think it would be perfect for someone who is newer in the faith to read along with someone who is more mature spiritually, and it could help facilitate discussion and point them to the Scriptures to search out what the Bible has to say about different things. It sure caused me to look to the Bible.

Melissa

Tell us more about this book! It sounds like something I want to read but I would definitely like to hear more.

My curiosity was piqued and I read some of the reviews on both sides at Amazon.  Very interesting reading.

My minister asked me to order two copies of this book - one for him and one for me.  I had never heard of it, so I read some of Amazon's reviews just like Rebecca did.  I think it will be very interesting reading!

The Shack is a wonderful read, and I'm only halfway through.  After reading reviews, it was a purchase for me. 

Highly recommended for anyone struggling with 'spirituality' versus 'religion'.  I've known Bible scripture all my life, but the fictional take on the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is relevant and easily understandable and demonstrates role of each and accessibility (at least in my opinion). 

I can understand why some Chirstians think it's inappropriate, but it's an inspiring read!

My mother got this and is reading it - she says its great and I'll read it when she is done...

Erin,

I read this book and loved it and would recommend it to anyone. 
In fact I went on ebay and bought a copy because of the long wish list,for a man struggling with the loss of a loved one at our church who felt God didn't love him any more, and had deserted him and his family... This book shows God as a warm and loving God and Young uses many faces of God's love  to show  how much we are loved and the many ways we are loved., and the way back to Him, and it should be read and re-read for the beautiful content within its pages.
As with all fiction one must remember it is fiction but remember also, it  is written with lots of true quotes and honesty  meant to make one use their own common sense. Read it and take what You need from it..
I believe you and anyone who reads it will come away with a happier, and lighter heart.. God Bless

A friend brought The Shack to my house, she had just bought it on the way over. I snatched it out of her hands, read it in 2 days. I LOVED it. I had a roller-coaster ride of emotions while I read it. Young does a wonderful job bringing the reader the story, it almost felt like that I was there with Mack, feeling the same emotions he felt. I still have it on my WL like #468, but I plan on buying my own copy soon. It is one of those books that you will want to read over, again and again.

Why did someone say maybe new Christians shouldn't read it?  I have been into New Age, Mormonism, Channelling, and now I am a Born Again. Why would it be bad for me? If you don't mind telling me, I'd like to know.  Thanx.

I'm also a new Christian. I didn't have any problems reading it. In fact the book helped me become a stronger Christian, as it made my Faith stronger. I know it is fiction, but there still is a message in the story, that all Christians, new and old, can learn from.

Glad to hear you read it. Did you pass it on or keep it??   For now I am keeping mine

I think that many people disagree with it because it tries to explain God, and makes God seem "wimpy" and maybe mild mannered. Some people just totally HATE that God the Father is portrayed as a woman. For me, it gave me so much more of a clear picture of the trinity that I hadn't considered before. It wasn't something I spent a lot of time thinking about because it really confused me, but I went to the Bible and did some more looking at possibilities after reading this.

BTW, I am having a drawing on my blog for a copy of this book if anyone is interested in entering, deadline is Friday the 1st.  http://melissaparcel.blogspot.com

Melissa

I think there are some theological problems with this book, and that may be why people say it's not good for new Christians, especially those who aren't grounded in what the Bible says, who may take everything in this book as fact.  I think it's fine for anyone to read, as long as they remember it isn't always accurate with what the Bible says.

A friend gave me a copy of THE SHACK.  She told me that it will change the way I think about God.  Has this happened to any one? Please share your thoughts,  how has it changed you?  This book is "wish listed" over 700.  I plan on reading  it very soon  but would love to get more insight from PBS readers.

I think you need to be OPEN MINDED when reading this. It is thinking out of the box that is for sure. I don't think if you have faith it will change you. I do think if you have religion it might make you question some things. I think the story is one  EVERYONE should read...I wanted to keep my copy but with soooooooooooooooooo many wanting to read it I sent mine out. 

I just learned of this book yesterday through PBS. I put it on my wish list but it is over 700 now so I took it back off. I am 17th at the local library. With all the buzz about it I really can't wait to get it! Thanks for the thread!

Don't let the ratings of this book fool you!  It is far from the biblical truth and can lead you astray if you dont know your bible very well. I don't think God is a big black women.  This books is really, really New age. Becareful satan doesnt deceive you with a good story!

My Christian reading group on yahoo is doing a "buddy read" of this with discussions starting on Oct 1. I have some questions that will post over 9 days but all discussion will be welcome.

If you're interested in joining the group, please click here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianBookReaders/

A lot of Christian books aren't scripturally accurate (the Left Behind series being my #1 thought). If you are mature enough in your beliefs/well grounded enough in scripture, you'll be able to see past it and still enjoy the story.

This book didn't bother me anywhere near the way the fictional "retellings" of Bible stories do (The Red Tent comes to mind). Some of them are very well done and scripturally sound, but some of them are so far from the truth it's hard to even recognize the original story.

My mom gave me The Shack to read a couple of days ago and I finished it last night.  I didn't care for it. 

I didn't have any problems with it's speculative theology---as someone else mentioned, there are a lot of other books that fit in that category.  It's just a personal thing.  I have been through some very difficult struggles with God and I am at a really good place in my walk with Him.  Bible study is a very important part of my life.  The Shack didn't have anything to offer me. 

While I initially wanted to think that some of it bordered on New Age thinking, I found the God character stating Biblical truth in that Jesus is the only way to God, IF people will make the decision to follow Jesus.  If I recall correctly, the author did not use any Scripture.

All in all, I think a much better book is Dinner With a Perfect Stranger.

   Erin ,

 I also want too read the book . I had heard it was really good . He was on a talk show not to long ago and talked about the book .

                                      Dolores H.

PBS  Members wishing: 775

I read this book while traveling. I have been a Christian since I was a child and I am by no means a "baby Christian," but this book did make me reconsider my ideals of God. I say "ideals" because noone really knows what God looks like or how HE projects Himself. The first thing the book addresses is the fact that the God character is portrayed as a "Big Black Woman." He says He appears this way because Mack (the protaganist) is not at a place in his walk to be able to fully accept a "Father Figure." God wanted to bust his "ideals" of how Mack saw God, so that Mack could really understand what God was saying instead of focusing on the appearance. I LOVED this idea. Who is to say God is an old man with a long white beard? Who is to say God is white, black, yellow or transparent for that matter? God made us ALL in HIS image...we all reflect HIM. I thought it was really smart for this book to explore that. ESPECIALLY for new Christians who may have a hard time with the traditional white bearded God portrait.

My critique of the book is that it is written on a very elementary level. The story seems to be written as a preface or treatment for a screenplay rather than as a novel. I suspect this will be made into a movie VERY shortly.

Overall, read it with an open mind and without thinking you KNOW for fact everything about God. God is mysterious as HE should be. This book simply offers a few theories based in scriptural text.