Comments on: THE SHACK Book: Does God wear a dress?

By: Surprise! Three in-depth interviews with Paul Young, author of The Shack : The Thin Edge

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:28:15 +0000

[...] THE SHACK: Does God Wear a Dress? [...]

By: Lorraine Emond

Lorraine Emond — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:20:10 +0000

I have just finished reading The Shack! I was telling everyone about it even before I finished and read about The Missy Project. I thought it was absolutely brilliantly mind blowing!! I was raised as a R. Catholic, and for as long as I can remember, I doubted, questioned, resisted, all I was told about religion. I began a long path of searching and learning about other religions and beliefs, and discovered they all ‘preached’ they were ‘the one true path’! The Shack lifted my spirits and put into words a lot of my thoughts over the years (I’m in my late 50s). My whole attitude has changed, and will continue changing. I will never be the same! (This is like God had to knock on MY door 49 times, and He’s at 48 or 49 now!).

This is definitely a must read – I’ve already passed the book on to my son, and have a copy to give to my niece and sister, and one for a friend who is supposed to pass it on to others. Those who can’t wait that long are buying it for themselves. Again, brilliant! Thank you, Wm. Paul Young!!!

By: Barry Brown

Barry Brown — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:28:29 +0000

Mainly to Simple Mann….

I agree with another reader who said “read the whole book.”

All the theological tomes that I have read discussing the nature of the triune God have left me with about as much satisfaction as eating flour. Very dry. Very dead. Very dull.

I too, had to do a double-take with the characterization of “Papa” as a large black woman. I think that is the point though…to challenge our pre-conceived notions of God.

Where have we heard that before…try re-reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John…the theologians of that day hated Jesus because he blew their preconceived notions of God out of the water.

Granted, WP Young is not Jesus, but “The Shack” is not a theological tome either. It is one man’s struggle based on his own internal fight to find out who God is.

Because I can relate so much to Paul Young’s own life and my own distorted view of God, “The Shack” hit me right where it hurt the most…my heart.

So, Mr. Mann, go ahead and read your dry-as-the-hills-of-Gilboa theologically correct God-in-a-box books and please, enjoy. You will be saved by the same thing I will…nothing but the blood of Jesus.

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:33:52 +0000

I had put off reading this book for awhile. Then one day after listening to all my children who have read it and loved it I decided to see what it was about. all I can say is I saw so much I can use in my walk with the Lord. I am always waited down with what is right and wrong. How to get over pain and sometimes wonder where Our God is. This book has answered some of my questions and now I have my own journey to straighten out -Thank you for writing this book-I agree every Christian should read this especially now when the future looks so bleak and people are trying to remove God from the world.

By: Tony Clay

Tony Clay — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:32:48 +0000

I was recommended to read the Shack and having done so I have to say that it is the first Christian book I have read by an author that is actually still alive that confirms all that I have struggled to believe in for the past 34 years since I was converted… I have never felt comfortable with a lot of the stuff the church teaches and I find that I agree with Mr. Young completely… I also noted that he has read most of the same ‘dead’ authors books that I have… especially that he was influenced by George Macdonald and CS Lewis…..and so may I recommend their books to any one who has enjoyed and been influenced by The Shack …it’s not a new thing that Mr. Young is saying …but he says it well and especially because very few other people have been saying these things in this way for a long time… I suppose I am also happy to have found some one else that believes as I do.

By: Trish Pickard

Trish Pickard — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:10:48 +0000

While reading The Shack, I kept thinking it would be great if there was a study/discussion guide to go with it. I finally decided that God was urging me to write one. I would be glad to send you a copy that you are welcome to copy and share with others. Email me at prayerdigm.bookstudy@yahoo.com
Trish Pickard

By: Bill Lollar

Bill Lollar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:04:29 +0000

I love what one of Paul Young’s friends said about THE SHACK: â€œYour response to this book will tell me more about you than about the book.â€

By: Sherrie

Sherrie — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:51:26 +0000

I have to say that The Shack was recommended to me and it was a life changing book. Since reading it I have purchased many copies and encouraged others to read it…every one of them had positive reactions to the book. I do let people know that they cannot get hung up on the “literal” and need to get the “message” (i.e. my mom couldn’t believe that God was a black woman in the kitchen baking muffins) …however, when you read the book (fully) and you understand why God was presented in this way you realize that this was a loving, unselfish thing to do. I love that our “preconceived” notions of God were shattered in this book…God is amazing and is everything and anything he chooses. Read the book…persevere through the beginning…get the message behind the story and feel it with your heart!

By: DR

DR — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:42:52 +0000

Lanna said:

“Real or fiction it makes no difference, it has changed my life.”

Mormanism is not a true religion. I’m sure it has changed many people’s lives but, it will not get them to heaven.

I’ve read more than half of “The Shack”. The ladies at church are doing a book study on it. Honestly, it is making me sick. There are many heresies in the book. Call it fiction if you want but when Greg Albrecht, editor of Plain Truth Magazine, says (in the front of the book under “What others are saying…”) “William Young’s insights are not just captivating, they are biblically faithful and true”, it really makes me wonder how many people honestly do think these things are “fiction”. We need to be like noble Bereans (Acts 17:11) and get back to looking in the Word of God for truths about Him.

“Seek and you will find” the truth on these matters. Pray for wisdom. The true and living God will give it if you truly believe.

“It seems to me that the predominantly white male critics of The Shackâ€”especially those with Reformed theology running through their veins…” As for this quote, check out the following:

http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/DocServer/SpecOffer_The13HeresiesExplained.pdf?docID=1821

He’s definitely not white and I’m definitely not male, so please, don’t just come down on white males as many in our society are doing these days.

All for unity in the truth.

By: Lanna Neal

Lanna Neal — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:11:44 +0000

I was given this book as a gift. I got so many answers for myself that never found in any organized religion. I have struggled with faith, belief and trust in God. Somehow The Shack states things in such a simple “down to earth” manner, truly felt the book was answer to many prayers. I reread, and underline things that have helped me let go of conventional wisdom about God always being with us. I almost cried. Real or fiction it makes no difference, it has changed my life. Thank you!!!