August 2010

The results are in about why The Shack  has been so popular.

Why have millions of people read The Shack and continue to read it? Lisa, my wife, is in a book club group formed by members from our church that just started reading it. I still see it on the commuter train I take to work. And The Shack has now been on the New York Times bestseller’s list for 111 weeks.

I don’t know about you, but I love it when people tell me that I can have it all. I feel great when I’m told that if I simply follow one or two simple rules, I’ll make loads of money and find true fulfillment. I like being comforted and told I’m fantastic without anyone pointing out my faults, imperfections, and real challenges.

You hear a lot these days about people being less than happy with religion. They say that they are spiritual, not religious, or that they want more Jesus, less religion. Novelist Anne Rice drew a lot of attention a couple of weeks ago by saying that she was quitting Christianity, but still believes in Christ. Her lament, if you consider it closely, is against people who use religion as a means of hurting or oppressing others, which doesn’t match up with the ideals of Jesus.