Paternoster's 'Finding God in The Shack' invites readers to explore 'The Shack's' rich yet challenging theology

Contact: Mike Dworak, 719-867-2768

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- William Young's mega-selling novel "The Shack" captured readers' hearts and minds with its gritty yet compassionate exploration of good and evil and the relationship between a loving God and an embittered, heartbroken man.

Yet the novel's depiction of God the Father as a large African-American woman and the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman shocked some readers. While many found a liberating view of God's love in the pages, other readers found heresy.

Theologian Randal Rauser encourages both fans and critics to join him in a deeper look at the novel's theology in "Finding God in The Shack." He finds much to admire and affirm in "The Shack": "William P. Young ... draws us into conversation on the topics that ought to be at the center of our attention: What happens after we die? Why is there death and evil? What is the meaning of life? Who is God? And as we follow the story, we have become theologians without even knowing it."

Writing in a warm, conversational style, Rauser delves into questions raised in "The Shack." He defends the novel's view of the Trinity, disagrees respectfully with the book's denial of hierarchy, and joins Young in tackling "the biggest problem in the universe"--how a good God could allow evil. Each chapter in "Finding God in The Shack" ends with "Digging Deeper" questions that encourage more conversation and exploration of life issues among readers.

Rauser concludes with praise for what "The Shack" does so very well: inviting readers to consider the deep questions of life. "Can you get theology out of a novel? ...It would seem that you can. ... The Shack is brimming with fascinating theological questions and concepts. There is nothing so profound as the concept of God, and few things as shocking as the notion that the creator of all things would stoop to our level and reveal himself to us in a most personal and intimate way. This concept ... is beautifully captured in The Shack."

Randal Rauser is associate professor of historical theology at Taylor Seminary, Edmonton, Canada. He authored Faith Lacking Understanding, the forthcoming Theology in Search of Foundations, and co-authored Christian Philosophy A-Z.

"Finding God in the Shack": Paternoster U.S., $14.99, 160 pages, paper, ISBN: 9781606570326

About Paternoster US
Paternoster US is a division of Authentic Publishing, which publishes scripturally rooted and culturally relevant resources that engage the global community in issues of life, ministry, and evangelism. Authentic Publishing is a division of IBS-STL Global.