The Shack: Helpful or Hogwash?

I recently finished the novel, The Shack. You've probably heard of it. In fact, you may even be a little concerned that a Christian would be reading something that many other Christians have labeled as slightly heretical. When I first picked up The Shack, though, I really wanted to see what all the hype was about; I'd heard so many differing reports about it, most of them negative, it was time to find my own position about it. It is my goal now to give an honest assessment of the book, the pros and cons, how it stands for a Christian and whether it's worth your time as a reader.

The story, without giving too much away, is centered on a Mackenzie Allen Phillips, whose little daughter is tragically kidnapped, and possibly killed during a family vacation. After a frantic search for the little Missy, the police and family are finally lead to a run-down shack where they find Missy's blood stained dress. Life is never the same for Mack, as he carries The Great Sadness of Missy's death constantly with him. Several years later, he receives a mysterious note from "Papa" inviting him to visit the shack and meet. Mackenzie has no idea what the note means, or who is sending it. But he is irresistibly drawn, and the rest of the book tells the story of how Mackenzie becomes reconciled to God amidst the heartache of The Great Sadness.

The most common objection I had heard before I read the book was that the God figure was portrayed as an robust southern black woman. This is true, but I believe the author's goal in this portrayal is to steer readers away from the common western stereotype of God, (the old white man with a long, flowy beard). Although I don't believe that God is female, I agree with the author that God does have the ability to exercise feminine attributes. After all, both male and female are made in his image. If read with a discerning eye, this portrayal of God can actually broaden your perspective and even give you new insights into God's character.  
“Mackenzie, I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature.  If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it’s because I love you.  For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you from falling back so easily back into your religious conditioning.”


There are many aspects of this book that I greatly appreciated. I love how the author portrays the relationships in the Trinity. I love some of the interactions Mackenzie experiences with all the different members of the Trinity, especially Jesus. And there is a depiction of heaven near the end of the book that sparked my excitement and anticipation in a totally fresh way. The ceaseless love of the Father for his children, despite their failures, wrong choices, and regardless of the sufferings they experience, is such an incredible comfort.

A warning would be that there are several lines that are simply not supported biblically. At one point, Papa tells Mackenzie that the Trinity submits to each other in their relationship (true) and to us in our relationship (false). But these passages are pretty easy to spot, and don't spoil the book in my opinion. Although it's clear that not everything in the book is truth, there are many insightful passages that can help you see things from a different perspective.

So I would say read it. It provides an interesting view point on God, the Trinity, relationship, life and suffering and could even bring to light some important truths. And if nothing else, it would be a good exercise in determining what is biblical and what is not. :)