Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Whatcha Reading?



I finished reading The Shack quite awhile ago. And then I reread The Shack. And now I think I'm ready to discuss The Shack. My aunts were the ones that told me about this book originally. They said it was somewhat controversial. After reading it I can see why some people would find it controversial. But for me it really reinforced some views that I have about God, Jesus, and Christianity in general. Let me explain.

One of the more controversial aspects of the book are how God and Jesus are described. God is described as a large black woman with dreads and Jesus is a middle eastern man. It is explained in the book that God comes to the main character as a woman because that is how he will best accept God. I get that. While it is not a "traditional" view of God I know I believe that God can do all things, be all things, see all things. So if it would improve a relationship why wouldn't God come to a person as a woman or as a black person or as a shoe if it worked. So that wasn't that controversial to me. Also the idea of Jesus as a middle eastern man was refreshing to me. In fact when I was in confirmation classes at church as a 7th and 8th grader I argued this issue numerous times with our pastor. There is no way that Jesus had blonde hair and blues eyes and lived where he did when he did. It just wouldn't be. And eventually pastor agreed with me that it wasn't likely. So I was THRILLED that Jesus was middle eastern in the book.

I really didn't find anything else in the book that could be portrayed as controversial. I thought it was an okay book. Not a great book. I liked how the book really pushed the idea of faith as a relationship. That it wasn't something you just have. That real faith and a belief in something is about putting that into all your relationships. But really that can be said for any religion, not just Christianity. Anytime you believe in something and share that in a relationship with the ones you love you grow.

So if you have read the book what did you think? Did you feel like it was controversial?

Clickin Mama

2 comments:

Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) said...

I love reading your thoughts on this book. I felt pretty much the same way you did. It wasn't one of my favorites and I thought I was missing something because of all the hype about it. I also loved that Jesus was Middle Eastern - it drives me crazy the way he is shown in pictures because I don't think it is realistic at all.

Janis said...

I haven't read it yet...been on the waiting list at the library for a long time! :)Will let you know what I think when I get a chance!

Janis