The Shack by William P Young (2008, Unabridged, Compact Disc)

This book will turn a traditional, fundamental view of God - the Trinity - on its head. It is powerful, painful, and troubling all at once. The story can cause your heart to ache at times, and it can give you the most amazing feeling of peace and joy at times. This book had an impact on my relationship with God that no other book ever has. It is not too Biblically or theologically inaccurate. The author does take license in his depictions of the Trinity. However, since the Bible is silent on many of these issues, and all we have in our minds are traditions or some persons interrupretations of what the Bible says, then we must be open to a different way of looking at who God is. Mr. Young (the author) is very respectful and honoring to the Personhood of God. And he shows us a visual of what the Bible describes as the character of God. This book will move you, astound you, and take your breath away. It will, bring you face to face with your own personal relationship with God - the triune aspect of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in a way that you have never thought of before. Read the book with an open mind, and then share it with a friend.

William Young's novel, The Shack, centers on dialogues between a miserable main character, Mack, and three unorthodox characterizations of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, embodied in a sassy black woman, incongruously called "Papa," ; Jesus, a big-nosed Middle-Eastern carpenter with a close-cropped beard; and the Holy Spirit, called Sarayu, an Asian Sylph. Mack's three year accumulation of secrets, lies, pain and fears over the kidnapping and murder of his six-year-old daughter, Missy, are swept away in a 48-hour encounter in the woods at- you guessed it- the shack where she was killed.

Readers views of The Shack, and its message, are varied and, at times, contentious.

Some critics argue that Young's book promotes universal salvation; as free to anyone as an open bar at a party. They understand his book to say that people can discover Jesus' love inside themselves, turn their life over to him, and they are on their way to eternal bliss. Some hard-line fundamentalist Christians view The Shack's message as deeply subversive, scripturally incorrect, and downright dangerous. Some ministers, like Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, say "it misrepresents God. Young misses the big E on the eye chart." To Driscoll, doctrine is essential, like a fence the Almighty erects to safeguard the saved from error.

But the Shack also has fans. Many readers say that they have found solace and inspiration in The Shack. They overlook the clichés- "Religious machinery can chew up people," Jesus says at one point-, stereotypes, like the Jewish Jesus' big nose, and Young's awkward writing: the black female God tells Mack, "Don't just stand there gawkin' with your mouth open like your pants are full." Steve McVey of Tampa, author of Grace Walk, praises The Shack. McVey says Young connects with people outside of, or unhappy with, institutional churches that "tell us what we ought to do for God, while grace focuses on what God has already done. A person discovers grace when you come to the end of your own self-sufficiency and realize that you have been made acceptable through Jesus Christ and him alone. You can't score points with God."

According to Young, the book is a vision of joy, however far it strays from evangelical dogma. He says he clarified the focus of his narrative by ripping out pages of theological jargon. The author posits that he has "a lot of freedom by knowing that you really experience God in relationships, wherever you are. It's fluid and dynamic, not cemented into an institution with a concrete foundation."

Before posting this review, I spoke to a number of people who had read The Shack and, to a person, they all found the "Dallas"/"Bob Newhart Show" swoon ending confusing. If Young's goal was to present a parable for our times, why have the novel end with a question?

For me, the book started off with a concept that was quite interesting and then devolved into exactly what a reader might expect from a religious writer trying to gain an audience. The Shack is a fast read and certainly inspirational in its own way, but not among the short-list of books that I would want to carry to a deserted island.

This book is a fictional look at our relationship with God. I love the way it was written and it makes you really think about how we are loved regardless of our own choices. I have read the book, but longing to have it read to me.

I loved this book. It dealt with some hard issues and gave light to how the author believes God works. In my faith I feel he works the same way. It showed me a different side of God that I hadn't realized was so intimate. I would recommed this to everyone and have them come to there own conclusions. This is a book I would read and read again. Excellently written and performed on audio CD.

Just read it. This is a super account of our relationship with God. Read It..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

This story is compelling to say the least - not a literary masterpiece, but worth the time to listen. It is especially apropos for those who have experienced the death of a child and find themselves with many unanswered questions.

This book was amazing. It is certainly inspired by God's truths. It shows how God loves us right where were at. I believe this book is God speaking to us through modern day literature, in a format that we can understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It has changed my life.

This was the best book I've ever read. I highly recommend it to everyone. It has really changed my life and also my husbands. We have purchased additional books to give and share with friends and family. We hope it will bless you as it has us.

I had never order the book on audio. I was able to listen to the story at my own pace, the story was awesome, refreshing and gave me a deeper understanding of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
I believe people who are saved and the unsaved should read or listen to this awesome book the shack

The book definately touches the emotions, but lets face it: it's a mix of Christianity and traditional Hawaiian religion. God is indeed love like this, but he also encompasses holyness, judgment, and truth. God does not chum around as if he were your buddy; he demands the respect of a King. God also (unwillingly) provides a horrible hell for those who reject his offer and die owing for their own sins. We don't like this, but it's true. When repentance isn't part of a Christian story, you can be sure that story is heresy. The author of this book is an admitted universalist who believes everyone from Hitler to Charles Manson goes to heaven. It's a nice idea, but let's admit that The Shack's main point is contrary to that of the Bible. This book is heartening, but it's not an accurate picture of God: I suspect the book has been backed by non-Christian money to get so far. Read Pilgrim's Progress instead.

great and inspirational book on faith and God. It will challenge all of your cultural biases and conveys God's love effectively.

Listened to it in two days, cried my eyes out. If you are seeking please buy.
I saw this man on James and Betty Robinson i'm so glad I saw that show, that s what made me want the book.

I was so happy to get this for my mom we have set and enjoyed this over and over and it was cheeper here thain in a book store and we got it fast thanks

fast shipping, very great CD. Excellent all around in ratings! I am glad I got it on Cd,have bad eye sight. That is why I bought it.

I wanted the audiobook and it was a good price and was advertised in good condition. The audiobook is sratched in a few spots which makes it not as good as advertised

It was a friend told me how wonderful the book was, so I ordered the CD. It was enjoyable to listen to.

I love this book and I never want to forget what it says. I bought the audio to listen to at work over and over again.

Ever wish you could ask God some of those "Why" questions you have?

I recommend this book for those who
-want to understand why God makes the choices he does
-are holding a grudge against Him
-are looking for improved relationships
-want to know why He lets bad things happen
-want to have more insight into the Trinity
-feel that God is mad at them

Audio version gives life to God's love for the diversity he created in people. Also it includes an interview that explains why the author chose to write this book.

I'm not big on fiction but this has been well worth the time. It concentrates on the love and relationship of the Trinity and how we, as his children, fit in this relationship. This is a great gift to give someone you care about.

Very happy with product and shipment. Would purchase again from this vendor. The CD's were in perfect condition as product was new as promised. Enjoyed listening to this story again and again.

Because of a death in the family I have been a little lax in writing your review. I needed to purchase "The Shack" immediately as I had borrowed the cd book from my friend and I lost one of the cd's. So to me having this shipped to me immediately was imparitive that I get it ASAP. The book came within 3 days and you saved my honor. (I won't be borrowing any books again soon.) Thank you for your promptness.

Rmsbrooks

If you want an easy way to get into The Shack, this is it. We really never have used audio books before, but got this for a study we are leading. It is the entire book, well read, with some dramatics for emphasis. My wife and I have found it most helpful in our preparations for the study sessions. It has also prompted us to begin listening to other audio books. Highly recommended.

The compact Disc set of "The Shack" was excellent. I have already purchased another set and several more copies of the book to give as gifts. The story is thought provoking and simplistic at the same time. For those of you struggling with your spiritual walk, I highly reccomend "The Shack". Those nagging questions about why God lets bad things "happen" will be answered.

This book was a powerful one for me as it answered a lot of questions I had about my relationship with our Heavenly Father. I decided to purchase these CD's because my husband has a 2 hour commute every day to and from work. I thought he'd enjoy the story and message of the book.