The Shack a Christian fiction book worth checking out

<b> The Shack</b> by Wm. Paul Young is an extraordinary work of Christian fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. However, it is full of depressing moments and makes one think. Young writes the story about Mack in a narrative form. He is writing it as Willie who is Mack’s friend. Willie is telling the story from Mack's recollections of events and his experience with God.

I need to state that I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and the Holy Trinity is the one and only God.  Therefore, I approached reading the book with these beliefs already established. This book really is geared for Christians. However, I think nonchristians can enjoy the book as well. It gives a little different perspective than is generally out in the public’s eye.  It is a bit of a sad story though but has a lot of hope and happiness in it. I bought this book because several people suggested it to me. One even told me he had prayed about whom he should tell about the book. I was the only person who came to mind. I figured I better get the book, while I know plenty disagree with my beliefs I didn’t want to go against God’s will for me so I got and read the book. I am glad I listened.

The story revolves around Mack’s (the main character in the book) abduction of his daughter Missy. The book covers the search for his daughter. It then moves on to Mack’s encounter with God. Mack at first feels he has gone totally insane. Most of us who have had “God experiences “do feel at first totally overwhelmed and as though we are insane. However, the book moves on and Mack accepts the Lord’s presence in his life. The experience Mack has with God takes place at the shack where they believe Missy had been murdered. I really don’t want to reveal any more of the plot of the book because I feel it helps if you don’t know too much when reading this book. Young puts some twists and turns that help keep your attention and adds to the excitement of the book.

The book is really good just as a story but the best part of the book is the thinking it makes you do. I mentioned earlier that it makes you think. It has some very in depth ideas about God and our relationship with God.  For me this was the best part of the book. I benefitted from the examination of what being in communion with God and each other truly means. God made us in his imagine and for communion with him. The Shack develops this theme well and I believe helps us understand what this means.  Again I will be a little vague because I believe we can all get something different out of the book when these different themes are discussed in the book. I don’t want to taint what God may have in store for you with how it affected me.

Another theme that Young touched on was that of free will. This is a topic that is hotly disputed across denominations and among people in general. I had feelings about this before reading the book, and Young just seemed to solidify my thoughts about it. Other area’s I may disagree with the theology that Young suggests but in this case Young just helped reaffirm my beliefs. I will admit to that some things I thought wrong turned out to be all right as I read on and learned exactly what Young was trying to tell us.

I believe this is a great book for people who are struggling through tough times. This probably encompasses the majority of us right now. Our family has been through a lot this past year between grandchildren being in and out of the hospital, a fire in our house, and various other setbacks. We did not lose our faith through our ordeals, but it did waver. Reading <b> The Shack</b> helped me grow and not dwell on why is God letting this happen to us, but how God is displaying his Grace upon us. This I believe was the main theme of Young’s book.

I highly suggest this book. It is good reading. Young has a flowing style of writing which aids in allowing you to read the book. It is only 250 pages long and as I said reads very smoothly allowing you to read it in a short period of time. If you are like me you don’t have the time to read as much as you would like.  I apologize for being so vague in my descriptions of the plot and themes in the book, but sincerely feel that you will get more out of the book if you don’t know too much going into it.

Thank you for reading my review and I hope it was helpful in some way. God Bless.