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A christian woman friend suggested I read this book.

I did so. Anyone else read it?

Because of your question and one other person's possession of a copy I read about half of it.

Neat idea that never developed. God as a middle age black women is OK yet that's the only original idea in the entire book. Before that insight it was very simple, afterwards it just turned into a 8Th grade Sunday school lesson and not a very good one at that. Sorry. I only wasted a few hours then put it down. If some one can find something to perk my interest I will go back. Yet I doubt that will happen. I am such a snob.

Of course all reviews make it out to be great. Yet that's the problem with Christian Fiction, it does not take much to impress people. Then the "anti" Shack doctrinal types run around finding it very close to an angle of light sent deceive the elect.

Yes I did. Christian fiction is a waste of time. I should have know it would be. Recommended by some one I respect, ( they lost a child also) yet it is very simple and has only one original idea in the entire book. Then it's just the same simplistic 8Th grade Sunday school lesson they all are.

I wonder if Christians realize their fiction always portrays God as someone masquerading as someone else? I might develop this idea further.

NBK, you are so right about Christian fiction being a waste of time. Most of it is written at about a 3rd grade level, if that. But as the "Left Behind" series has proven, the 3rd grade reading level creates bestsellers!

I like this idea:

I finished it a few months back ... actually, I kinda liked the imagery of God (generally depicted as Father) being a big ole stereotypically nurturing black mama who's both tough and tender and generally has everything well under control ... whose emphasis was on nurturing and encouraging ... not reminding one of obligations and legalities ... and I liked the playfulness, whimsy and lighthearted joy of the fairy-like, musically inclined "Holy Spirit" too. The image of Jesus was totally lost on me, however ... In fact, I cannot much recall him being in the story. Go figure.

If it really occurred, then it's an amazing tale. (Just for the record, I don't rule out anything when it comes to God being able to bring unique and individual healing and deliverance to his beloved created ones. God can do whatever the heck God wants to do! And I'm very glad about that ... as I've a few "whopper tales" of my own that very few would believe, but nevertheless occurred.)

Naomi

She didn't tell me she was black!!!

I thought it was trashamundo. Told the woman what I thought and she dumped me

I'm curious about the book, so I'm going to read it. Hopefully it's not TOO trashamundo.

The same person that recommended the "Shack" also said she threw Eckhart Tolle's books away. I have since read two of them. I found them helpful and worth while.

NBK,

I was only able to get through about half the book as well (for similar reasons).



Since no Christian has ever seen God, aren't all portrayals of God a masquerade of sorts?

Anotherperson. I am sorry I missed this post. Good question!

The masquerade I refer to is the depiction of God as a new metaphor, at least in the case of this book. In the 70's there was a book called " God I am mad at you" or something similar. The story line was similar in that a women had suffered great loss and eventually God explains Himself to her and she sees how silly she was in thinking God was mean. The story of Job in the Bible is the same plot. The plot never changes just the image of the characters in the play.

Never meeting God? Not all writings are metaphorical. When I think of the difference between the "Lord of The Rings" vs something like the "The Screw Tape Letters", I see writers using a story to imply God and not just tell you what the writer wants you to think. All person's have a different image of the divine in thier minds. To tell anyone what they "should " think is very low-brow writing, IMO.

Christians aren't the only ones who "portray" God.

Many religions do.

God is a spirit. Since you can't see a spirit anyway, what's the point of saying nobody has seen God?

People believe in lots of things they haven't seen, so believing in God is not so bizarre.

Pax!

I read the first two-thirds of the book a few months agao and then set it down and have not picked it up again. I thought some of the ideas presented about God and Christianity were interesting and make me think. The story itself, however, isn't all that great, but it does provide a vehicle for the author to present his ideas. I may get back to it someday. I assume the protagonist will be forced to come face to face with something when his past and present end up colliding.