The following is a summary of a discussion on the best selling book: The Shack at Regent College recently.

The author, William P. Young, goes by Paul. He made a few comments about the book before three Regent people gave this responses, then Paul spoke again. Paul told a bit about his life. He was a missionary kid, whose parents served in Papua New Guinea. At age six he went away to boarding school, which he found very alienating from his parents, especially his dad. In later school years, when his parents left Papua New Guinea, they moved a lot – Paul attended 13 schools by the time he got into high school.

Paul and his wife are grandparents of two. Paul has often written for family gifts. A few years ago his wife suggested that he write something for the kids; to just put down what he was thinking. The Shack is the result. No one is more surprised than he when the book became a best seller, was passed around and people started asking him to come and speak. Of course, he’s also received a good amount of negative response, but he said it’s all worth it because of the actual changes that many people report.

Paul shared: “Remember this a story in fiction form of my pain, my process, my conversations with God – it’s NOT a systematic theology.” His desire is that it go ‘beyond past paradigms to your heart.’ He ended up with: “We Christians are always trying to get God to be predictable …trying to avoid process. Each life is like a ball of yarn with millions of knots in it; God wants to crawl inside and untie them. When we cry out to God, he only hears one thing – permission! He responds, ‘OK – We’re going in!’

I wrote this because I don’t want to be 70 and wonder what it would have been like to live by faith. God heals us not so he can use us, but because he loves us and he wants to enjoy us.”

There were three respondents:

Jonathan Wilson, professor of New Testament, said that he found it hilarious that this book is so popular. He thinks that behind its appeal is the hilarity of the Gospel. He has a few suggestions on how to read the book well:

1. As a story of redemption through Jesus and a restoration of an individual to community.

2. As a call to have character shaped to become merciful, to become spiritually poor.

3. As an invitation to the spiritual practices of celebration, feeding friends, enjoying their company.

4. As permission to stop trying to win approval and to not settle for just coping.

Jonathan did have one area which he thought could be improved: the oneness/threeness of God. The three persons seemed to be always three persons; no image of oneness except that they always agreed with each other. I think Papa’s scars should have been on his chest (heart), not his hands.

Mrs. Phee, wife of Gordon Phee, a retired professor said that she could identify with Mack in his depression and temptation to suicide. She also had a change at 50 when she was at a retreat, God met her in pictures, and her relationship with Him turned a corner to enjoyment. For the first time she believed the Psalms which said, “God delights in you.” She found the book a delight, especially the trinity so enjoying each other. God as cook reminded her of Psalm 23. She was made to think outside the box and was glad. She shared a few quotes which she thought will become common. 1. When Mack begins to sink while trying to walk on water, Jesus says, “Better if we do it together.” 2. The difference between ‘expectancy’ and ‘expectations.’ 3. Transforming ‘responsible’ into ‘the ability to respond.’

John Stackhouse, Professor of Theology, began with a few questions: Is it OK to proselytize in fiction? Can art preach? When does art become propaganda? He answered the first two with yes! He said to consider the Bible with it’s folk talks, fables and art. He suggested that art becomes propaganda when 1) We don’t like what it is didn’t think either of these occur in this book. He did think the book would be stronger if these things were left out:

- Pokes at seminary and ritual

- Statements that God has nothing to do with power

- Comments about other religions and assertion that ‘Jesus has no interest in making Christians

However he did feel that the book is a wonderful portrayal of the attributes of God. Most of them are not only there, but powerfully pictured. The relationships within the Trinity are handled well especially:

- how Jesus depends on the Holy Spirit

- forgiveness

- how God might use the extraordinary although usually he uses the regular means of grace

Stackhouse suggested that the book is valuable as God’s word to one person in a particular person in a particular situation at a particular time.

The author’s responded to the three by saying that the book is not meant to be a theology, just a theology of the relationship within the Trinity. He agree that institutions can be used for the Kingdom, but we must always be careful because institutions always move toward the diminishment of the individual.

The quirkiness of the book is not an attempt to do theology; it is personal. He said that he loved conversations like this and the way God is using his book to help people talk about God. He said that there is much confusion in society about what a Christian is. When sometimes asks him if he is a Christian, he responds: “Tell me what you think a Christian is and I’ll answer.” For most of his life he has seen himself as just barely in the room with other Christians. He said that Jesus’ words on p.216 to Mack: “I’m especially fond of you” capture the huge change in his life that this book addresses.