The Shack Essay Questions

How do the forms that Papa, Sarayu, and Jesus take at the shack influence Mack's perceptions of God and religion?

Before leaving for the shack, Mack and Willie discuss what they think God will look like. Mack says, "I don't know. Maybe he's a really bright light, or a burning bush. I've always sort of pictured him as a really big grandpa with a long white flowing beard, sort of like Gandalf in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings" (75). When Mack gets to the shack, he is greeted by three figures: a large black woman who asks to be called Papa, an Asian woman called Sarayu, and Jesus, who appears as a Middle Eastern man. It is clear that these three figures took these forms as a way of challenging Mack's concept of who religion centers around; Papa tells him, "To reveal myself to you as a very large, white grandfather figure with flowing beard, like Gandalf, would simply reinforce your religious stereotypes, and this weekend is not about reinforcing your religious stereotypes" (95). By having Papa, and a majority of the Trinity, appear as females undermines the historically patriarchal structure of Judeo-Christian religions. In addition, Papa knows that part of Mack's lack of faith in God comes from the problems Mack had with his father early in life, so Papa appearing as a female allows Mack to build a new relationship with God. Later, when Papa appears to Mack as a older male figure, it shows the personal and trusting relationship Mack has formed with Papa during his time at the shack.

In what way does Young's depiction of God in The Shack differ from usual depictions of God in Christianity?

Much of the controversy around The Shack's publication came from the author's portrayal of the Trinity, which differed in many ways from usual depictions of God in Christianity. From the outset, some theologians took issue with Young physicalizing the Trinity at all, and even having them engage in playful banter about subjects like funk music and diarrhea. This was one of the main complaints of Christian author and radio personality Chuck Colson, who wrote, "Too often the author slips in silly lines that, frankly, seem ridiculous in the mouth of the Godhead" ("Stay Out of The Shack"). However, by giving Mack the chance to engage face to face and increasingly comfortably with God, Young presents a metaphor for readers about how one can build trust and relationship with God.

Many Christian authors and leaders were further incensed by Young's choice to portray Papa and Sarayu as women and use names for God and other figures in the book stemming from Judaism, Hinduism, and other world cultures and languages. These Christian readers saw Young's choices as heretical, with some even arguing that Young was promoting "goddess worship" ("What's So Bad About The Shack?"), and many believing that Young's book promoted Universalist messages such as people of all religions being loved and saved by God. Young's depictions of God in The Shack certainly cause readers to question their own religious beliefs, especially those related to gender, race, and culture.

What aspects of Christian practice in the contemporary United States are criticized in The Shack?

Part of the outrage regarding The Shack from Christian figures may have come from the criticism of contemporary church practices found in the book, especially coming from God herself. First, the church as an institution focused on rules and structured programs rather than relationships and true faith is criticized throughout the book. For example, when Jesus calls the church his bride, Mack responds, "You're talking about the church as this woman you're in love with; I'm pretty sure I haven't met her...She's not the place I go on Sunday" (180). Jesus assures Mack that he too does not see the religion being practiced the way God intended, saying, "That's because you're seeing only the institution, a man-made system. That's not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living, breathing community of all those who love me, not building and programs" (180). Papa and Sarayu echo these feelings during their private and group conversations with Mack. The Shack challenges the idea that faith is measured by one's attendance at church, teaching the reader that they must constantly and personally engage with God.

Furthermore, Jesus criticizes the religious, cultural, and political divisions people have constructed. He says, "Those who love me have come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims...I have no desire to make them Christian" (184). Many Christians preach that non-Christians cannot be saved, so this quote coming from Jesus can be seen as an attack on their exclusivity and attempts to convert people of other faiths. In this same scene, Jesus says, "Some [people who love me] are Democrats, some Republicans and many don't vote..." (184). This directly challenges the contemporary intersection of religion and politics, particularly the belief that Christians, especially evangelical Christians, must be politically conservative. For making these claims, many Christian leaders accused Young of being a Universalist and even a heathen, but other readers found Young's critiques and progressive messages inspiring and relevant.

Why does Mack feel distant from God at the beginning of The Shack? What happens throughout the story that allows Mack to feel close to God by the time he leaves the shack?

Mack's central tension with God when he arrives at the shack is that God didn't prevent Missy's death. This, on top of his father's abuse as a child, makes Mack think God is either unloving or uncaring. However, throughout the book, Papa, Sarayu, Jesus, and Sophia argue that God cares so much about humans that God wanted them to keep having free will. Though it pains God to see people judge and wield power over one another, God lets painful things like Missy's death happen and tries to use them to the greatest good. Mack struggles to understand and believe this, but after being taught by Sarayu and Sophia about the way he has judged people throughout his life rather than allowing God to be the judge, he realizes that the only way to accept life is to fully trust in God's goodness. This understanding helps him be more open and empathetic when he returns to his normal life, helping his wife and daughter work through their grief as well.

Who is the intended audience of The Shack? What do you think contributed to the book's immense popularity in America and around the world?

In The Shack, Jesus tells Mack that he has followers who are "Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims; some are Democrats, some Republicans and many don't vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians" (184). By portraying God as so open to followers from different religions, cultures, and backgrounds, Young demonstrates that his novel is intended for both Christians and non-Christians. This is undoubtedly part of the reason the book was able to generate such broad interest.

The book is also written specifically to acknowledge and help those who feel that they are in conflict with God or religion because of trauma in their lives. Young has shared in writing and interviews since publishing The Shack that he wrote the novel as a way of encapsulating and sharing his decade-long journey to trust and acceptance of God, which was especially difficult because he experienced sexual abuse as a child. The character Mack is portrayed as imperfect and doubtful, and his slow, painful conversations with Papa, Sarayu, Jesus, and Sophia allow the reader to grapple with their own questions about perceived problems and injustice with religion and the Church. This nuanced and empathetic approach drove sales of the book within Christian communities, where people seeking meaning and community generated publicity largely through word of mouth ("Christian Novel is Surprise Best Seller").