January 5, 2010
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Just wondering…
Have any of you read the novel The Shack by William P. Young? It is a quick and easy read, though according to several folks in our little book group, not that well written. Since Donkey was loaned a copy by his boss, I decided to check it out. Here is a little taste:
The main character (Mack) asks, So why do I have so much fear in my life?
One of the 3 characters (obviously part of the holy trinity) that represent God replies, Because you don’t believe. You don’t know that we love you. The person who lives by his fears will not find freedom in my love. I am not talking about rational fears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projection of those into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe that I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. you sing about it, you talk about it, but you don’t know it.
The story is quite compelling and there were many things like what I just shared that “resonated” with me immediately. I would be glad to know what others who have read it have thought of this book, too…
Comments (10)
I enjoyed it, well, enjoy is not the word for the first part. My daughter read it and felt it really helped her understand the Holy Spirit in a way she never had before. It had a lot of good insights. Obviously it is a story, and not a theological book. .
I haven’t read it, but I will now.
Sounds like you liked the book, though. I like books that make me think.
Kathi
I will have to see if’n the library has a copy I can check out…smile
I started the book by Anne Rice”Christ the Lord, out of Egypt. The biggest moment that made me cry was when Jesus as a young seven year old went up to the Rabbi of Nazareth. (they sort of knew the “illegitimate”rumor of his birth). Probably as close to factual you can get…
Yes sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort level to think…
I have gone through a transition over the last year in my Christian life, and reading this book was part of that. I know it is fiction, but I also believe it’s inspired on some level. The fear part really spoke to me, and in fact, was one thing I really dealt with when I went to Heartquest. My life will never be the same, having let go of the fear in my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Amazing book…
it sounds like a wonderful book and i will have to check if our library has it.
I read the book and highly recommend it! It stirred with in me to have a greater intimacy with Father and gave me a better understanding of the trinity.
@ata_grandma - apparently it was written for the author’s children to try and share his opinions and understanding with them. very tricky trying to do that, since young ones don’t usually want to devote too much time to that sort of thing. now at least there is another option besides the narnia series by c. s. lewis to get that conversation going…
@Kowpatty - i will be curious about your reaction and opinions…
@Still_groovy - it doesn’t just make you think, it makes you feel, too. the appeal of this book to me was that it could do both.
@m_elmer_48 - @jtqueenbee30 - it’s pretty popular right now, but don’t give up if there is a waiting list! you could also check out half price books if you have any in your area or possibly another used book store…
@Mom4Him - i feel like now that i have read it, my life will be different, too…
@Miss_Spunky91 - i felt like i enjoyed some of those benefits as well!
@FlashFosgitt - I enjoyed the beginning but couldn’t get past the Godhead being represented by the different cultures…maybe I just closed off. I have had many people tell me how it helped them and I didn’t want to pop their bubble of happiness.