Me, Her, the Boy and a Dog

I recently finished The Shack by William P. Young. And it definitely game me a lot to thinkg about. But, before I get started with my take on the book, I want to share the synopsis that appears on the back of the book:

Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant “The Shack” wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!

I was a little apprehensive about reading this book because it involves every parent’s worst nightmare. I am an empathetic, sympathetic and emotional man, so I knew that there would be parts of the book that would get to me. And I was right to be apprehensive. But, this was one of the better books I have ever read recently.

That being said, I feel strongly that you need to have an open mind, especially if you are not religious or you are a “non believer.” This book is classified as Christian and explores a troubled man’s personal relationship with God and  his journey to overcome his “Great Sadness” that has consumed him since his daughters murder.

Spoiler Alert!

I really connected with this book because of my views about religion and Christianity. I have always had my issues with the church and religion in general because I believe that man (as in mankind), over the centuries, has twisted religion into something man sees as relevant or deems as “appropriate.” And that bothers me. Just look at the different demoninations of Christianity; Baptist, Methodist, Catholicism, Presbyterian - the list goes on.

Why are there so many? Simple. One group of humans within a church disagreed with another group within the church and decided to branch out and start their own church and apply their ideals and beliefs. That’s how our country was founded; by our English ancestors fleeing religious persecution to a new land where they could practice their faith freely.

My personal belief is that God never intended for man to flock to churches and build business-like empires such as Lakewood Church or even the Catholic Church. We’re talking about religious leaders making millions and flying around in private jets and helicopters. Somehow, I don’t think that’s what God had in mind when he asked his children to spread the good word.

This book actually seems to explore that same sentiment. Mack, the main character, goes to the shack where his daughter was apparently murdered after receiving a note from God. There, he meets three people that turn out to be God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Of course, he’s not sure if they are real or if his grief has finally forced him to manifest an alternate reality.

Regardless, he goes along with it to see how it plays out. He spends the weekend at the shack talking with the Holy Trilogy and learning much from each one, even though they are a collective being. Their appearance completely contradicts Mack’s preconceived notions of what God and Jesus look like. An interesting twist is that Mack attended seminary and has a strong religion educational background, but everything he learned is turned upside down by what he learns from the Trilogy.

And in his conversations with God, he learns that man has manipulated His words and intentions over the centuries into man’s conceived notion of religion. I won’t spoil the entire book, but what God reveals to Mack is truly eye-opening and gives us something to think about.

The point of Mack’s visit to the shack is to confront his Great Sadness and of course, he asks God the question every parent in his situation would ask the Lord if given the chance, “Why would you let something so horrible happen to my little girl? She didn’t deserve that. Why didn’t you protect her?”

God’s answers that when man (Adam and Eve) chose independence over God’s gift of Eden, they chose humanity’s path - a path that did not necessarily include God’s intervention. The answer is more complex than that, so you’ll just have to read it.

The finaly task before Mack completes his weekend with God is something I’m not sure I could have done. I’d love to know what you think about Mack’s decision in the end. Could you do what God asked of you? I’d like to think that I could, but I’m not so sure I could have. I hope I never have to find out.