The Shack

 I (Rebecca) just finished reading The Shack, by William Paul Young.  I'd heard much controversy about the book, so I read it with a critical eye.  I've concluded that it's very interesting, thought-provoking, and I felt encouraged and blessed as I read it.  On the other hand, its theology isn't entirely biblical, specifically in regards to the characters of the trinity and in the problem of suffering/evil. Overall, I agree with my former theology professor, Craig Smith's advice: 

"Read it, but read it carefully. The power of teaching theology via narrative is that

it can sometimes bypass the mind and take root in the heart without the reader being

aware of what is happening. In the case of The Shack, there is some potential for this to

be damaging to the development of a healthy Christian worldview. On the other hand,

for the Christian whose worldview is firmly rooted in Scripture and who reads

discerningly, reading The Shack may be an extremely edifying experience....

...Apart from theological issues, The Shack is worth paying attention to as a cultural phenomenon. A great many people have read/are reading/will read this book and they are not all Christians. In fact, the book is being read by startling numbers of non-Christians who are very interested in talking about the ideas it contains. As Christians, we must be ready to take advantage of interest in The Shack as a bridge to sharing the Gospel. If we are ready to do this, we may well find that The Shack provides an important intersection of faith and culture, allowing us to make a significant impact in whatever spheres of influence God has given us."

Click here to find helpful resources on The Shack.  This link includes articles on the book's theological strengths and weaknesses, and also includes a helpful article on how to use the book as a tool to start conversations with non-believers.