Book review: The Shack
Erin Jackson
Issue date: 12/2/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
After an icy cold front and a slippery trip to the mailbox, Mackenzie Allen Phillips discovers a letter requesting he meet at the very place where his daughter was murdered after she was kidnapped.
It was curiously signed in an intimate way by the someone Mack felt was ultimately responsible for his daughter's misfortune.
Although enraged and a bit incredulous at someone's cruel joke, he finds his way back to the place where his nightmares began: a shack in the woods with a much greater story to tell than Mack could possibly imagine. Little does he know, the One waiting for him there is well acquainted with the dark and despairing inner thoughts lurking in the recesses of his soul.
Three extraordinary characters await his arrival to aid in Mack's discovery of The Truth: Papa, a merry and robust African-American lady, a Middle-Eastern carpenter man, and Sarayu, a breezy, ethereal Asian woman, whose shimmery colorfulness enthralls the senses.
Mack soon discerns these three profound and sometimes rather humorous figures are but mere disguises wielded for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, Himself. This Holy Trinity answers Mack's range of questions from "What is my purpose in life?" to the deeper and more complicated "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
Papa well understands Mack's bitterness and
rage concerning his lost daughter, but seeks to comfort Mack and reveal how truly loving and trustworthy He really is. In doing this, He sends Mack to learn several things about the complexity and majesty of God and His Will.
The readers who need spiritual guidance and inspiration will acquire, along with Mack, the realization that true freedom is obtained by intimately knowing Jesus Christ and being dependent on this infallible God.
Jesus purposefully limited himself to show the world God's awesome power and amazing love, while the Holy Spirit guides our intricate souls to the everlasting place designed for God and those who love Him. These are very crucial facts to accept when coming to the cross-roads between right and wrong. Papa also expresses to Mack, "I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish; it's my joy to cure it."
It was curiously signed in an intimate way by the someone Mack felt was ultimately responsible for his daughter's misfortune.
Although enraged and a bit incredulous at someone's cruel joke, he finds his way back to the place where his nightmares began: a shack in the woods with a much greater story to tell than Mack could possibly imagine. Little does he know, the One waiting for him there is well acquainted with the dark and despairing inner thoughts lurking in the recesses of his soul.
Three extraordinary characters await his arrival to aid in Mack's discovery of The Truth: Papa, a merry and robust African-American lady, a Middle-Eastern carpenter man, and Sarayu, a breezy, ethereal Asian woman, whose shimmery colorfulness enthralls the senses.
Mack soon discerns these three profound and sometimes rather humorous figures are but mere disguises wielded for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, Himself. This Holy Trinity answers Mack's range of questions from "What is my purpose in life?" to the deeper and more complicated "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
Papa well understands Mack's bitterness and
rage concerning his lost daughter, but seeks to comfort Mack and reveal how truly loving and trustworthy He really is. In doing this, He sends Mack to learn several things about the complexity and majesty of God and His Will.
The readers who need spiritual guidance and inspiration will acquire, along with Mack, the realization that true freedom is obtained by intimately knowing Jesus Christ and being dependent on this infallible God.
Jesus purposefully limited himself to show the world God's awesome power and amazing love, while the Holy Spirit guides our intricate souls to the everlasting place designed for God and those who love Him. These are very crucial facts to accept when coming to the cross-roads between right and wrong. Papa also expresses to Mack, "I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish; it's my joy to cure it."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Laura
posted 12/09/09 @ 9:11 PM CST
If you loved The Shack, you should really check out Gita Nazareth's Forgiving Ararat, as this book too explores themes of judgment and forgiveness in the face of violence. (Continued…)
cody
posted 12/13/09 @ 10:43 PM CST
I have yet to read this book, but my mom, dad, and many others i know have and loved it! After reading this, I will move it to the top of my list of books to read. (Continued…)
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