I was reading book reviews of The Shack on Amazon and one guy who wrote in was so distraught. Not because of his reaction to the theological suggestions made in the book but because he was expecting a book about the life of NBA star Shaquille O'Neal. So for those of you who stumble upon this blog because you think I spend my mornings running with Shaq, sorry to disappoint you.
Well, this morning during a quick five mile run and also ran into some of the issues which have apparently stirred-up controversy with this book. Mack, allured by the note, is unable to resist the urge to return to the shack where his daughter was apparently murdered. After an emotional screaming, cursing, and yelling session with God and brief thoughts of suicide, Mack begins to walk away from the shack and away from any hope of an encounter with God. He is suddenly drawn back, as the shack is transformed into a blissful, radiant home, alive with activity. Inside the house, he finds "God" portrayed as an affectionate African-American woman, referred to as "Papa," Jesus, as a laborer of Jewish descent, and the Holy Spirit as an ethereal woman-like person with Asian features.
My run with The Shack ended at this point. I'm looking forward to wrestling with these portrayals and the dialog between Mack and William P. Young's trinity. Maybe my next run will take me through Penuel?
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