O.K. So I'm finally weighing in on this book.

Before I read it, I was sure I would hate it. I have my antenae up very high when it comes to sniffing out liberal or false theology. I assumed this would present a very watered down, "God loves everybody", ultra-tolerant version of God.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find, not only the God that I know, but Jesus, and not a worldly, WWJD, kind of Jesus, but the real Jesus who died a horrific death for our sins and wants to reconcile us to God, the father.

Some of you will be surprised to know that I really liked the book.

I feel the book gives a fresh perspective to our relationship with God and how He feels about us. HOWEVER, it is NOT the Bible and its theology is bound to be off in places (it is, after all, written by a man, not the Holy Spirit). I think it is very important to read it, not as a theology book, or a replacement for the Bible, but rather as an allegory. Compare it to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. We all know that although Jesus is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" he is not REALLY a lion. But by portraying Christ as a lion, C.S. Lewis illuminates one aspect of His character. I think if you see the story as a dream, which it is, and as an allegory, like Pilgrim's Progress, you will be more comfortable with the things that come across initially as pretty bizarre (like God as a black woman). It's all symbolism - a way to express what is very difficult for us to wrap our minds around. It is not complete, but rather a picture to point out aspects of what is true.

However, I know there are some people, whom I respect a lot, that take strong issue with the book. One is Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill - Seattle. Here is a video he did in which he lists his reasons for disliking the book. I watched it, and I wasn't convinced with his reasoning. But I respect him, nonetheless.

Here is an article by one of the "coauthors". I really liked what he had to say in defense of the book, in fact, he made some the same points I did when defending my support for the story.

For me personally, I liked the book because it allowed me to see God's love for me in a fresh way. I like how the main character, Mack, is such a genuine person, and so much like me in some of his ways of thinking. He feels abandoned by God and doesn't believe God is good and trustworthy. I think the whole point of The Shack is to proclaim that God is good, He loves us, and He wants to be in a relationship with us. The point is NOT to pass on every theological point found in Scripture.

I don't think it's the dangerous book some are making it out to be.

My fervent hope is that it leads people to see God in a way that causes them to WANT to be in relationship with Him. If this book leads them to seek out Jesus as the way to God, can that be a bad thing?