Into the Fire

I confess I had next to no desire to read this little novel. For, as it turned out, a multitude of reasons which began long before the controversy. I had no interest in it because of its size: too, too small. So there was no way I was buying the thing. Through a mini-chain of events which seemed interesting, I decided to read the book, and since a friend of mine had it, I borrowed it. Then I got a free copy because of the “interesting” events to come. So: I ended up “having” to read it.

Now I no longer understand two things. One: what is all the fuss/buzz/controversy about? Two: why is there this love/hate thing going on with this little novel?

Technically speaking, The Shack has that “first novel feel” to it I described in an earlier post. Theoretically, that could be explained away by the “Foreword” which is supposedly written by “Willie”, a friend who is the narrator/writer for the protagonist’s (Mackenzie) experience in the tragic loss of one of his children, his six year old daughter, to a stealthy serial killer on the final day of a camping trip. The long time spent in self-loathing and what is called and known as “The Great Sadness” precedes a return trip to “the shack” where the heinous crime took place after Mack receives a handwritten note of invitation from “Papa”, an endearing term his wife Nan uses in reference to God.

I do find it interesting that some readers have exalted this book to a theologically higher level, but I also find it rather disturbing that some readers have treated it as outright heresy. In a good portion of the novels I read, authors take their liberties in the inclusion of doctrines they assume to be faultless and with which I take exception and do not agree. So what I’m saying is if you’re a reader of Christian fiction: get used to it or get over it. It surely wasn’t God’s idea to divide us all up in denominations, but, alas, we are. In most of my novels, you’ll get a hint of the doctrine I believe but not all of them. God has proven Himself far less condemning than humans . . . if you get my drift.

Because this read much like a first novel and because my initial interest in the story was limited, I admit I struggled and dragged myself through the first three quarters of the book, but the last quarter of the story before Mack’s return from the shack was very entertaining, and I found some good concepts there.

I also find it amazing how often it is repeated that novels should never be “preachy”—that readers will be offended and refuse to read those books—because The Shack is one long sermon. There is very little of this “story” which isn’t infused with theology and the author’s personal concept of who he believes God truly is delivered in what can really only be called sermonizing dialogue. It’s far less novel than it is a personal treatise on divine concepts. And where is this little book on the bestseller lists? Aahh, the wonderful ability of the publishing world to predict and dictate “trends”, huh?

The truth which exudes from this little story is that the infallible God, Jesus, Holy Spirit is Love, Goodness, Perfection, and really indefinable in the human sense. We can only know a part of His vastness, that He truly loves us in spite of us, and that His ways are higher than our ways.

One of the most valuable little quotations from this story that I found is the following:

“Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means that I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering, you will find grace in many facets and colors.”

While I don’t agree with all of William P. Young’s God concepts, I definitely think the uproar and shouts of heresy are a bit over the top and sound an awful lot like a desire to preserve a rigid “religion” instead of growing in the saving grace of a relationship with Jesus Christ to know God, our Father, and to be awakened and instructed by the Holy Spirit, the Counselor and Comforter.

Anyway, that’s my take on my visit to The Shack.

Father, you are greater than anything anyone can describe or know. You love us all, each as much as the other. We fall so short, and yet you don’t condemn us. You rescue and redeem us. Thank you, Jesus, for who you are and what you’ve done. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for constant companionship and instruction. You are so wise. We are desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.