Finding God in the Shack: Seeking Truth in a Story of Evil and Redemption [Paperback]

Roger E. Olson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2009

The Shack has touched millions of readers with its portrayal of a compassionate God in the face of great evil. Many have identified with the main character's Great Sadness, the terrible burden of grief that often accompanies and follows a deep loss, for the Great Sadness is part of the human condition. And it compels us to ask, Where is God? Who is God? Roger Olson, who has faced his own Great Sadness, finds a good deal of comfort in this much beloved, story as have so many others. Some may ask, however, Is God really like that? Is that really how God responds to evil? Can God be trusted? Olson also views The Shack with a theologian's eye and finds much sound truth. He delves into many of the significant issues raised by the book such as forgiving those who have done us great evil, how God acts in the world, how God is three persons in one and what difference this makes to us. While he offers his own criticisms of the book, he largely finds the truth about God in The Shack.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you have questions about The Shack, and if your questions are theological, and if some have suggested that this book is full of heresy and you are wondering about the book, then you need to read Roger Olson. The reason this book is the one you need is because Roger Olson is a very good theologian and Roger Olson has read the book (some critics haven't) and Roger Olson is not on some defense of the book or 'out to attack' the book. It is one of the only discussions of the novel that is both theologically alert and fair minded." (Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed (blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed), February 10, 2009 )

"Written by theology professor Roger Olson at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the book attempts to defuse concerns over The Shack's unorthodox depictions of God and the Trinity. Dr. Olson correctly points out that much of Mr. Young's novel is actually quite biblical." (Robin Russell, United Methodist Portal (www.umportal.org), March 6, 2009 )

"Author Roger Olson takes the reader on a play by play of William Young's The Shack as he explores the book's many complex and controversial issues. The discussion is illuminating as well as intriguing." (Kenny T., Book Bargains and Previews (www.bookbargainsandpreviews.com), February 2009 )

About the Author

Roger E. Olson (Ph.D., Rice University) is professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author of The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform, The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity (both InterVarsity Press) and The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology (Westminster John Knox). He is also coauthor of 20th-Century Theology: God & the World in a Transitional Age and Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God (both with Stanley J. Grenz, InterVarsity Press), and of The Trinity (with Christopher A. Hall, Eerdmans).

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830837086
• ISBN-13: 978-0830837083
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger E. Olson (Ph.D., Rice University) is professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author of The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform, The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity (both InterVarsity Press) and The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology (Westminster John Knox). He is also coauthor of 20th-Century Theology: God & the World in a Transitional Age and Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God (both with Stanley J. Grenz, InterVarsity Press), and of The Trinity (with Christopher A. Hall, Eerdmans).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

126 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fair and Even Handed Review, February 16, 2009

By 

Scot McKnight - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finding God in the Shack: Seeking Truth in a Story of Evil and Redemption (Paperback)

If you have questions about The Shack , and if your questions are theological, and if some have suggested that this book is full of heresy and you are wondering about the book, then you need to read Roger Olson, Finding God in the Shack: Seeking Truth in a Story of Evil and Redemption.

The reason this book is the one you need is because Roger Olson is a very good theologian (some critics aren't) and Roger Olson has read the book (some critics haven't) and Roger Olson is not on some defense of the book or "out to attack" the book. Others see it in either/or categories. He simply calls it as as he sees it. This is a third way approach to reading a novel that has taken many by surprise. It is one of the only discussions of the novel that is both theologically alert and fair minded.

What does he see? He sees a "true" story because it is faithful to Olson's experience in the world -- including an abusive father -- and, apart from a few criticisms, represents a faithful presentation of the compassion of God in the Bible.

Does he disagree with Young's book? "Here and there I quibble with some details that don't seem to fit the book's character. Other elements, though, be correction. I question some things Young puts in God's mouth, believing that they might lead to heresy if taken to an extreme. I don't think these completely undermine the book, but they need a question mark placed over them. If we bracket them and set them aside, we can benefit from the story as a whole" (17).

I don't want to spoil this book for you, so I will mention some of the contents: where is God in a world where there is senseless, innocent suffering? Is God really a family of three? Is God in charge but not in control? What's wrong with the world? Does God forgive everyone unconditionally? What does God want with us? Will child abusers be in heaven? Isn't Jesus a Christian? Where is the church in experiencing God? Is trusting God all sweetness and light? How should we respond to The Shack?

Some things to look for as you read this book: a God who is passionate (and not a God who has no emotions). Olson, who has written a book on the Trinity, thinks the book is essentially biblical and orthodox (30). Take the book seriously but not literally. God's love shapes the Trinity and not hierarchy. Olson takes issue with Young's "patripassionism" (that the Father suffered on the cross) and he thinks Young leans too close to deism or process theology at times. So Olson thinks Young's depiction of God is incomplete. The book is very strong on free will.

Olson does not think the book denies orthodoxy, but it does counter the beliefs of many denominational doctrinal statements.

86 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The No-Agenda Review of The Shack You Need, February 16, 2009

By 

Dennis Spencer "Michael Spencer" (Southeast Ky) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Finding God in the Shack: Seeking Truth in a Story of Evil and Redemption (Paperback)

Olson is one of the most vigorous theological authors willing to take on the reformed intelligensia, as can be seen in his books Arminian Theology and Reformed and Always Reforming. In this book, Olson takes a measured, but overall positive view of William Young's theological novel. Olson's book is already garnering negative reviews from those who are convinced The Shack is a theological threat to Christians who aren't paying sufficient attention to the Bible's prohibitions on creative writing. (I assume C.S. Lewis's Great Divorce is in for a beat down in the near future.) Where does Olson come out? A balanced, moderate, intelligent, appreciative and overall positive view. Don't start a ministry on it. Don't confuse imagery with heresy. Appreciate the personal core of the story that is touching so many. (Olson collates Young's story of Mack with his own struggles with a pastor father.) Use it as a discussion starter. Be fair and realistic about the overall effect of the book. A fine response to the three-alarm fires that have dominated the internet.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bookish Gal, February 24, 2009

By 

Dawn M. Des Jardin - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Finding God in the Shack: Seeking Truth in a Story of Evil and Redemption (Paperback)

I found this book to be very readable, interesting, enlightening and sometimes inspiring. The author points out areas where he disagrees without seeming harshly critical. He often provides page numbers from "The Shack" as easy reference. He helped me clarify my thoughts about the book. If you only read the last 8 pages, it would be worth having.