Okay, I finally read William P. Young's bestselling book, THE SHACK. In a word, the story is BRILLIANT!
Without a doubt, one reason I love this book is that it disrupts so much of the conventional thinking we have about God. I've made no secret about my disdain for churchianity and the pervasive religious spirit of our modern era business-churches. So, when I read a few negative online reviews of The Shack, it was no surprise to learn that most were written by people mired in one of those declining denominational divisions.
Before I depart this little rant, I am on record as having read the Bible cover to cover more than once in my lifetime --- and one of those readings has been in the past 3 years. I can think. I can study. I DO NOT "need" some theologian or self-proclaimed God-expert explaining to me why this or any other book does not line up to "scriptural" teaching. We are not stupid!
Clearly, a bunch of people agree with me. As of a few weeks ago, there were 1.1 million copies in print. It's a big time word of mouth best-seller.
I'm reluctant to say anything about the story itself here. Last weekend when my wife and I were in Fredericksburgh, Texas with friends, someone brought up THE SHACK...how they just read it while returning home on an International all-night flight...and found themselves laughing out loud and crying within the span of a few pages. BTW~ the same thing happened to me when I read it.
As I proceeded to talk about a particular part of the story that struck me, this guy insisted that I STOP. "Be quiet," he said, "my wife hasn't read it yet!" (She was sitting beside him across the table.) Without giving away anything of the tale, I particularly found the "expectancy" versus"expectation" mention to be thought-provoking and powerful.
Even though I know what happens, I plan to read this book again in the next few weeks...something I rarely do and so soon. You should, too!
