This month on the Christian Book Club we are going to be reading The Shack by William P. Young. The Shack has created a lot of controversy. People either seem to love or hate the book. Here are the ten latest reviews from Christian Book Distributors:

• 5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Joan Wilson (Lacey, WA), October 30, 2008

  This short book was a great suprise to me inasmuch as it approached God described as a woman. Mack’s struggle to deal with the loss of his daughter was very real to me. The location meant an added delight to find it local in Oregon and now I want to travel and visit Wallowa in Oregon, and Joseph. I’ve lived in a shack but to think that God could come to me in this way I would love. It seemed to follow doctrine closely but held to the story line as in “Pilgrims Progress”, but for today’s readers. I am not bothered by it, and would recommend it to others to read. This is the God I know, but I do prefer him to be male and a father figure - Jesus said to call him “Father” as in his prayers for us. I would rather it be sent to my pastor and not Oprah (she is not the final authority). Now, my husband is reading it and we’ll talk about it along the way.

• 0 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Nathan Hutchinson (Sierra Vista, Arizona), October 31, 2008

  It is appalling when a 17 year old has to correct adults on theology. This book is no allegory; it is a deceptively written New Age story presented as Christian Fiction. The parallels between this book and some denominations of Hinduism are unbelievable. Not only do I not recommend this book, it should not be on this site at all; it is so far from being Christian that it scares me. This is the most heretical book I’ve read in a long time, yet so many people praise it regardless. I pray for Young’s soul after reading this book.

• 0 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by blessedX10 (Helena, MT), October 30, 2008

  This book makes me physically sick to my stomach (threw it away half way through), and I am so disappointed to see it sold as a ‘christian’ book. Full of heresy; the author has no respect for or fear of God. I don’t serve a god of crude remarks and immature behavior, and my God is definitely not a woman (I am). Emotions deceive - if you are looking to know God better, read your bible! You won’t find the God of the Bible here, just lots of new age paganism working towards a one world, feel-good religion. Terribly sorry that I wasted the money (and therefore supported such slander of my God).

• 4.5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Suzanne Murchison (Trenton, On,), October 30, 2008

  I really enjoyed the book, the different description of how God presents itself was unexpected and interesting. It made me want to dig deeper in scripture just to remind me that God will never fit in our confining “boxes”. It is a sad story, the lost of a child always is, but there is hope for all,and sometimes the issues go way further back then we think.

• 5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Beva (Montevideo,MN), October 30, 2008

  This is a must read!! It took a brilliant mind to make the Trinity seem so down to earth. The chapter on the Judge really hit home with me. We all judge others, but the way he related it to how God still loves us when we mess up was really something. Just like we still love our children when they mess up. I would highly recommend this book!

• 5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by myra (lexington, nc), October 30, 2008

  I think this is one of the best books ever written about understanding the Trinity and they way the work together in the life of a believer. It reveals the depth of love God has for man in redeeming him from his sins and redeeming the unjust issues of life.

• 0 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Kandy (Arkansas), October 30, 2008

  This book is very dangerous! Christians are being deceived into this kind of thinking. There are many heresies in this book. It appeals to so many because it is an easy, feel-good read. I wish it were not sold as a Christian book. Maybe Oprah could sell it instead.

• 5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Shirley Samuel (Greensboro, North Carolina), October 30, 2008

  This book was the door that took me through a crossroad in my life. I found that I could relate to anger and disappointment in God, whom, I felt, had set me up to fail because all of my experiences led me to painful existence. I saw a real way to deal with it by actually telling God, “You made me mad, You disappointed me, you sacrificed me, you won’t let me out of the mud I have been made to lie in.” I have been able to talk to Him as “Papa.” I have been able to openly acknowledge my own selfish sinful ways and tell Him, “I am sorry.” I now see that He was always there protecting me and keeping me safe from destructive harm. I now know He really loves me. I found the true living God. I was given a loving image of Momma, Daddy, sister, and brother in the Shack. I had not known that before. Family did not represent love. It has been a source of pain and suffering. Now I know what family really means, and Paul Young made that possible for me. I thank him for the courage it took to write this book.

• 0 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Carlyn Benns (Trona, CA), October 30, 2008

  Young’s work is secular and sensationalzed to the max. I could not have been more disappointed and wonder why it’s considered a Christian novel.

• 2.5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewed by Grace (Canada), October 30, 2008

  It provides good understanding on human suffering, remarkable answers to age-old questions and a fresh look on the heart and the nature of God, but the Triune God portrayed was not entirely Biblical. It’d be erroneous to conclude God’s Personhood only from this book.

Like I said, people love it or hate it. I think it will be an interesting book for us to discuss. There is a Forward, 18 chapters, and an After words section in the book. Let’s break it down like this:

Week 1 - Forward and Chapters 1-4
Week 2 - Chapters 5 - 9
Week 3 - Chapters 10 - 14
Week 4 - Chapters 15 - 18 and After words

As you begin reading, please know that this book is fiction. The author refers to it as a parable. There is no real “Mack”. Even though the Forward seems to set up the story as true, the Forward is just part of the story.

I am including a video of an interview with the author of The Shack on the 700 Club.

I will also include a link here in case you need to order a copy of the book.

The Shack

On Christian Book Club we are continuing our reading of “Velvet Elvis”. I think that this is a very interesting read. I get why it has some people stirred up. There have already been a couple of times when I could feel myself getting a little defensive as I read the book. One example was when he wrote about the virgin birth. He certainly affirms his belief in the orthodoxy of the Christian faith, but when he is submitting the questions is still gets me a little excited. Ultimately, I think it is a very positive experience to be challenged. I don’t want to be stuck in “brickianity”. Let me know if any of Bells ideas have got you thinking. I look forward to your comments as we continue our reading. This week you should be well in into Movements 5 and 6.

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith By Rob Bell

This month on Christian Book Club we are reading “Breakthrough” by Derek Morphew. As we enter Week 4 we will be finishing up this book by reading; Israel, Confusion about the Kingdom, A Final Perspective, and Studying the Theology of the Kingdom.

I am not sure that reading a book like this is something that everyone enjoys. It is a theological book. I personally have enjoyed it very much. Thank all of you for reading it along with me. The subject of the Kingdom is fascinating to me. I would suggest that you take time to read Appendix III. It is a fascinating look at the Kingdom of God through the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah takes all the major themes of the Kingdom and weaves them through the chapters of his book. It is absolutely amazing. If you have enjoyed the study on the Kingdom, you may also want to read a book by G.E. Ladd called “The Gospel of the Kingdom”. Next to the Bible, it is perhaps my favorite book. I look forward to your comments on the reading this week. It is an amazing journey to be “Already-Not Yet” people.

October will soon be upon us and we will be reading “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell. I have heard a lot of different things about the book so I am looking forward to checking it out for myself. I will include a link so that you can order it if you need to. Have a good time reading this week and I will be praying for you!

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith By Rob Bell