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Roger Olson delves into many of the significant issues raised by the popular book The Shack, 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.
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Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Theological and Cerebral and Fair for the Most Part,
By
Ce commentaire est de: FINDING GOD IN THE SHACK: SEEKING TRUTH IN A STORY OF EVIL AND REDEMPTION (Paperback)
Roger E. Olson is a strong voice and well qualified to address the theological issues of The Shack. I read his book using the Kindle and it's possible that my next comments are not as true for the paperback edition of the book, but up front I think it would have helped the book for Dr. Olson's theological position and background to have been better highlighted to put his comments and observations in better perspective. In order to address that, I did a little digging on the net and I found that he is well qualified and has impressive credentials. As a point of interest, although I don't believe we ever crossed paths, he was actually an instructor at Oral Roberts University at the same time I attended there as an undergraduate.Roger E. Olson is currently a Professor of Theology at Baylor University. He has a very strong educational background and appears to come primarily from a Baptist bent in his education and experience but is also not a dogmatic reformed theologian. He has a very strong body of written work in both Theological Journals as well as popular theology. His accolades include awards from Christianity Today and also an honor from a graduating class designating him as a favorite professor. While the personal information was helpful to me to put his book in perspective, I think it's very important for a critic (pro or con) of a book like The Shack to self-reveal these positions as otherwise what is patterned as a critique can come across as an "ex cathedra" pronouncement from on high. I think this element could have been a little stronger on the part of Olson and the publisher, and again to be fair, it may be that some of the elements were not as evident in the Kindle edition as in the paperbook. I personally felt it could have been a little more self-evident within the text itself. In the same vein, several of the comments in the book by Olson lead me to believe that he didn't do a lot of research into knowing more about the author, William P. Young. Most of that information is reasonably accessible on the web and could have been obtained quite easily. That said, I also have to disclose a personal bias toward any who would approach The Shack from a primarily theological perspective. The Shack clearly is theological in many regards. However, it is clearly, intentionally not a systematic theology nor is it intended to serve as a primer for those seeking that approach. The Shack is in fact to my observation something of a reaction against that sort of approach and in large part has an agenda to restore a strong relational element to a walk with Christ. That also said, what Olson does in this book is valuable as a response to those vocal, often almost hysterical critics of The Shack who either lack the imagination to understand metaphor and parable or who understand all too well the theological positions promoted within The Shack and simply find it unpalatable and respond with inflated charges of heresy. Olson to be sure does far more in this book than deal with things dryly and theologically. I was personally impressed with the openness he displayed in relating some of his personal story, especially as it related to his father. Olson clearly understands and sees the personal elements here and opens himself even as he engages with the concepts and thoughts presented. In terms of approach, Olson identifies the major themes of the book and approaches. By doing so he provides some reassurance, for those who either on their own, or because of their exposure to the diatribes of others, that the conclusions of "heresy" are grossly overstated. By the same token, however, Olson does have a tendency to camp on specific passages of the book and not take the book on a higher level where the comments directed to a particular theme are weighed against each other and taken as a whole. That's an understandable thing coming from a theologian who is afterall examining the theology of the book, but it fails to see the book in its proper context, in my opinion. An example of this would be Olson's comments with regard to the ecclessiology of The Shack. Olson almost seems to assume that systematic approach to the book that he does toward Scripture and draws several conclusions based upon, in my opinion, the evidence of absence and then proceeds to chastise the book for it's lack of focus on the organized church. The fact is, the purpose and the context of The Shack is based upon the personal walk and restoration of the author, William Paul Young, and ties to counselling and personal restoration. All these elements considered, I do recommend the book and give Olson credit for a calm and helpful approach. His certainly has a far more reasoned and fair approach than some others. 3 Stars. Bart Breen
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews) 126 of 129 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fair and Even Handed Review,
By Scot McKnight - Published on Amazon.com
Ce commentaire est de: 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. 88 of 95 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
The No-Agenda Review of The Shack You Need,
By Dennis Spencer "Michael Spencer" - Published on Amazon.com
Ce commentaire est de: 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 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bookish Gal,
By Dawn M. Des Jardin - Published on Amazon.com
Ce commentaire est de: 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.
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