The Shack - Part 1

I have just finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. I chose to read this book after Dave Cover mentioned it in one of his sermons a few months ago. Finally I was able to sit down and read the short book in a few days, and I encourage everyone to read it. It is nearly 250 pages long - a quick read, but one that will certainly make you think!

While reading, I kept track of places where something stood out that particularly touched me. Because I am loaning the book to my parents to read, I just went through and typed up all of these touching passages, and have decided to make them the topic of my next few days worth of posts. Trust me...there is plenty to discuss!

I'd like to start by saying that this book is somewhat controversial and by no means am I trying to say that what I believe Young writes is the ultimate truth as seen through Mack's eyes (or remembered through his memories). I don't want to give too much away for those of you who might end up reading it one day, so I will stay away from the big plot points. I will just be focusing on a few passages that I think can be used to explain or shed light on some important issues that Christians today face.

For "Part 1" of this multi-part installment, I just want to bring up the idea of calling God "Papa", which is how God is referred to by Mack's wife, Jesus, the Holy Spirit (Sarayu), and then finally Mack himself. Initially Mack is hesitant to call God this, thinking that it is far too personal to be calling something as BIG as God by a name that is so intimate.

In thinking about the term "papa", and the idea of a kind, wonderful, and loving father, I am forced to wonder..how many of us really know what that is? My relationship with my father has been nothing but tumultuous throughout my childhood and just now as I am becoming an adult is becoming more loving and full of trust and understanding. Part of why my father and I didn’t get along was because we are so much alike. For some reason I don’t feel like this is the case with God and humanity. Perhaps it is our stark difference from Him that make us drawn to God...