I honestly think young butchered the atonement. The Father tells Mack that he didnt really forsake the son, but that it just seemed so at the time. This takes the wind out of what Christ really did for us on the cross.

Also, the Father’s nail-pierced hands make u wonder who Young thinks actually died in the cross. Does this blend the persons?

The last statement of the book kills me too: “God, my servant.” Pretty sure it’s the other way around.

Just a few issues I had as I read it. Definitely well written and engaging, but not sure I can agree to theologically sound. That’s just me tho..really appreciate your thoughts on it.

Hi, Michael
I read The Shack before alot of the “hoopla” started and I’m glad I read it when I did. As a parent it was hard to read about the abduction and murder of this little girl. It took a while to get past that. One of the things I took from this book, which may be a tad simplistic, is to be totally honest with God. The main character did that and was able to more effectively work through his grief. So many times we feel as “good” Christians we must “pretty up” our words and prayers before we come to God. Guess what guys?? He already knows how upset/angry/hurt/disappointed etc. we are. Just go ahead a talk to Him.

I had put you on my blogroll…until I read this entry. I’m sorry. How is it that you went to Dallas Theological Seminary and fail to see what is wrong with this book?

Michael, I’m glad to see that you liked the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have recommended, and even given, it to several people. In each instance I felt like I needed to put a disclaimer on it. “When you read the book, read it with an open mind.”

I just read The Shack. I read it in one day, found it very engrossing. I don’t think it’s life changing, but it was one of the better novels I’ve read recently. I had read several critiques of the novel that were very negative, and trusting Michael’s opinion as I do, I decided to see for myself. Having read it, I am quite surprised that so many Christians seem SO offended by it. I agree with Michael: cut the author some slack! Is it a theology textbook? No. Is it a well written, thought provoking piece of fiction? Yes. Will it lead people astray from orthodox Christian faith? I seriously doubt it. Bottom line: I enjoyed it, and will probably recommend it to others. I won’t tell anyone it was “life changing” or that it made me completely reconsider my ideas about God, but I would say it’s well worth reading.

Certainly, I think The Shack was better than The DaVinci Code, and far more orthodox, as far as the author’s theology. But I am not one of those people that believes The DaVinci Code is “dangerous.” Misguided, perhaps, but not dangerous. It is my thought that, if any work of fiction is enough to shake your faith in the Bible, then your faith was on a pretty shaky foundation to begin with. Just my opinion, that…

Finally, I would submit to any who want to criticize any book without having read it (not necessarily directing this to anyone who has posted here): if you want to know what the fuss about ANY book is, read it for yourself, and form your own opinions. If you disagree with it, decide why you disagree with it. Along with this idea, I would also say: if you hate something, why try to dissuade others from reading it? Let them form their own opinions, too. It is high time for Christians to begin thinking for themselves, and judging fiction and non-fiction accordingly. Does that make any sense? Hopefully so.

[...] Michael Patton – I usually agree with him, but not this time (except I do agree with the title). [...]

Hello Michael

I read The Shack shortly after it was first published. I thought it was so good that I bought copies to give to my saved and unsaved family, friends, food servers, hairdressers etc. At one Bob Evans we even had an informal Shack discussion group. It was a way to open the door to a discussion of Christ and salvation. Many people then when out and bought books for their entire family.

After I had given out 30 or more copies I read many pro and con blogs. But the one by John Mark Hicks went into great detail on the story and then he did an analysis of the claimed theological errors. Since he wrote back in October 2008 it may be hard to locate all of his blogs but a good place to start is: http://johnmarkhicks.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/meeting-god-at-the-shack-v-forgiving-others-self-andgod/

Thank you Michael for your post.

[...] Gordon MacDonald in Christianity Today’s Leadership Journalhttp://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2009/04/the-shack-liking-it-wont-send-you-to-hell/ and http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2009/04/seven-more-points-about-the-shack/#comments Well [...]

[...] don’t see any major line being crossed’ C. Michael Patton posts two posts (here and here) defending his positive appraisal of The [...]

“Just make sure that people are properly discipled. If they are relying on either of these books for their discipleship, we have big problems.” <— That is the heart of this matter.

I’m almost finished with “The Shack,” having resisted reading it for some time, citing “I don’t have time for fiction,” as my reason. But, when a respected brother and student of theology told me I HAD to read it for its theological content, his eyes alight, I downloaded it to my iPhone’s Kindle app and got started. I approached it with skepticism, expecting to do a lot of eye-rolling. I was surprised, and pleasantly so, at the presentation and the lessons it sets out to teach.

Like you, Michael, I found nothing dangerous or seriously objectionable, though I agree with one comment above that I wouldn’t recommend it to seekers (or non-believers). I would, however, recommend it to many people I know who struggle in their walk with Christ on some of the foundational issues, as a supplemental resource to help illustrate certain principles.

Thank you for this blog. The timing was perfect for me and I’m glad I read the book after taking your introductory TTP course! God is great!