tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post781907939229948857..comments2023-07-27T05:49:05.756-07:00Comments on C. Orthodoxy: The ShackKen Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08014885672703727636noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post-60818519129664931212008-09-30T12:31:00.000-07:002008-09-30T12:31:00.000-07:00Not sure how I found your site using Google - I wa...Not sure how I found your site using Google - I was searching for The Shack +UK.<BR/><BR/>I had the privilege of reading this book well over a year ago now. I have been a 'committed' Christian for nearly 50 years but it's only in the last two or three years that I began to recognise the difference between 'head knowledge' and 'heart awareness', and that the Christian FAITH was all about a RELATIONSHIP.<BR/><BR/>I walked away from Sunday School at the age of 14 because of what I saw as the ridiculous teaching of the 'trinity'. My immediate reaction after reading the book was "Why has it taken 57 years for someone to give me a picture of the 'trinity' that actually makes sense?"<BR/><BR/>I knew of this book before publication and I've watched the impact that it has had around the world. The author has an amazing story to tell. I can remember seeing the quote from Eugene Peterson, "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" did for his. It's that good". The first print run was 11,000 (published privately because no Christian publisher would take it on). I remember some of us wondered if it would ever reach 100,000. Sales worldwide now exceed 3 million in less than two years - maybe Peterson was right!<BR/><BR/>I am retired and I have been able to look at many reviews of the book. I have to be honest and say that I learned more from the review by Tim Challies than any of the others. Although the church I still attend (because my wife wants to) is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, Tim has helped me to recognise that I'm not an evangelical.<BR/><BR/>I would certainly want to question some of the theology of the book, but it had an enormous impact that is ongoing.<BR/><BR/>I'm not really into blogging - but my blog does contain an introduction to my web site. This might be a very different perspective but I'd be happy to engage in constructive dialogue.<BR/><BR/>PeteOld Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09905782212383969049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post-42516281849673172062008-08-24T08:22:00.000-07:002008-08-24T08:22:00.000-07:00Very balanced review. Unique review. I like your s...Very balanced review. Unique review. I like your style. I wrote a lengthy review on "The Shack" addressing the controversies. <BR/><BR/> http://tinyurl.com/56garc<BR/><BR/><BR/>Bottom line- If the focus of your faith is a relationship with God The Shack will be wonderful. If your focus is on legalism, then The Shack will disappoint. <BR/><BR/>I like the over all theme that takes God out o the box--Don't worry about yesterday or fret over tomorrow. Enjoy God now. He has it all in control. Surrender and walk in joy. <BR/><BR/>BLOG CONTEST: I'm giving away 3 copies o The Shack on my blog. Pop over and add your review to enter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post-27419672183051231982008-08-20T22:20:00.000-07:002008-08-20T22:20:00.000-07:00SCL,I had much the same reaction.Eeyore,I too felt...SCL,<BR/>I had much the same reaction.<BR/><BR/>Eeyore,<BR/>I too felt the end was a bit excessive in its need to fill in every detail that we could have figured out for ourselves, though the car accident was an interesting twist. <BR/><BR/>Thanks Jan!Ken Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08014885672703727636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post-75093499616601784202008-08-20T22:01:00.000-07:002008-08-20T22:01:00.000-07:00I think this is one of the best, most balanced r...I think this is one of the best, most balanced reviews of this book I've read. You've done a great job identifying the great divide - why "putting words in God's mouth" is encouraging to some, and heresy to others. Well done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post-37883098196426845152008-08-19T22:52:00.000-07:002008-08-19T22:52:00.000-07:00I read the book in June because our women's group ...I read the book in June because our women's group at church will be discussing it this coming Thursday night. Should be an interesting discussion, if nothing else.<BR/><BR/>I thought it was interesting that you had trouble with the first couple of chapters. I don't remember whether I did or not, but the writing did change and improve. I had trouble finishing the last few chapters. I knew what was coming and it seemed too obvious and too preachy, given the way the story unfolded up to that point. I got it--I didn't need to have it so plainly spelled out at the end. You know those inspiring emails that you get and then they tack on all sorts of extra quotes to make sure you got the message? That's the way the ending felt to me. Unnecessary, I guess.<BR/><BR/>I am glad that I read it, though it's not the sort of book that I normally would chose. Not because of the fantasy--I'm a huge Harry Potter, LOTR, and Narnia fan. This one fits somewhere else that I don't usually go.<BR/><BR/>I did find that I at first was like Mack and resisted these new and unconventional images of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. But once I decided to let myself go along with this imagery, I found it quite interesting and helpful in understanding the Trinity on a more personal level.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks for your insights/comments. For the most part, your reaction was similar to my own. (I don't think that will be the case when the women gather to talk about The Shack, however.)<BR/><BR/>PatEeyorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01934178312263962578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065406139986258489.post-82357968301893133842008-08-18T05:55:00.000-07:002008-08-18T05:55:00.000-07:00Ken - Ironically - I just finished the book last n...Ken - Ironically - I just finished the book last night and I kept thinking...I wonder if Ken has read this book? Ha!<BR/><BR/>Because it is fiction - I allowed myself to put aside some pre-conceived notions of who God is and how He operates - and think about the Trinity, for example, in a way that I never have before. It was a good exercise for me, personally.Super Churchladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02441661673208075329noreply@blogger.com