When my book club chose this one, I was a tad skeptical to say the least. Not being a very religious person and not wanting to be preached at, I wasn't really looking forward to reading this one. I thought it would be shoving God down my throat, choking me as I read. Growing up in a small town with only one church I had no real choice of religion. As kids we go where our parents go, or where they force us to go and for me this was the Baptist church. So, if you know anything about religion you know where my mind was going and I wasn't liking it much. My views on God, religion, politics and such have changed over the years. While I still believe in a higher power, I don't believe that there is just one god pulling all of the strings while we sit around and wait to see how it all plays out. I am all about freewill. There are many ways to pray and living rightly is what matters. I don't think a benevolent God would approve of people doing things in his name that harm others, but I digress...
The question of who God is or what God is can not really be answered, though many have tried. This book, The Shack has done a great job of presenting God in such a way that I am still thinking about it. I have not yet put my finger on what it is about this book that keeps my interest. I have not changed my religious views or my thoughts about God, but because of this book, my god now has a face. (I am still not a fan of organized religion, but that would be another digression.) The book itself starts out as an unbelievable story and one that I sort of snickered at as I was reading. I thought I knew where the author was taking me and I wasn't in the mood for a sermon on how God speaks to us through others and how all we need to do is listen. I wasn't able to put the book down, after all it was a book club book and how could the English teacher show up to the meeting without finishing the assignment? I kept reading. To my surprise the flashback to the accident kept me on the edge of my seat, and I wasn't being beaten over the head with God or religion. The best surprise came when God's character showed up along with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as Mack entered the shack. The philosophical aspect of the book kept me riveted. I really enjoyed Mack's discussions with God and the way in which God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit enveloped him. I am not saying that his questions were answered because they weren't to any real satisfaction, but the answers Mack got were enough, just what he needed. I think this is the aspect of this character I like the best. God in The Shack gave Mack only what he needed and exactly when he needed it. (I am sure I sound like a preacher myself here but this is where my conventional views on God end.)
It is the nature of god that so many people, like me and the main character struggle with that this book attempts to answer. I won't give anything away here, you'll need to read the book for yourself, but this central question is answered to my satisfaction in this book by the character, God. The characters of the Holy Spirit and Jesus also add to and support the answers regarding the nature of God laid out in this book. These characters offer comfort and answers to some of the toughest questions humans throw out there where God is concerned, especially in difficult times. Mr. Young creates some characters that will probably stand the test of time, if you will, and keep people talking. I think the biggest question he attempts to answer is the one where people questions God's motives for allowing bad things to happen. Again, you will need to read the book to see for yourself Young's answer.
I have since discussed this very book and this idea of the nature of God with a friend of mine who holds many of the same views as I. Her Catholic background is much like that of my Baptist background. Here is where my rant ends and the revelation begins. It doesn't matter what any one of us believes as long as we can come together speaking and listening equally to reach a common understanding. We need not try to force our thoughts, beliefs, ideals etc. onto others. Our own understanding of the world will come when we learn to listen to what others say and then apply what we know. I have found that great books offer a stepping stone into that conversation, listening and speaking to others, necessary for growth. A book is more peaceful than any weapon. Once the conversation begins, like a ripple in the water, it continues even after the conversation seems to be over and books offer many generations the opportunity to join the conversation.
God, from The Shack is a character who like many good teachers doesn't offer the answers to questions, but instead offers new questions and new ways to look at and think about the questions we are asking. This allows us to find our own answers. This character encompasses all aspects of all religion, equally and this is the God I choose to believe in, rightly or wrongly but without judgement.
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