Meeting God at the Shack: A Journey Into Spiritual Recovery

William P. Young’s The Shack became a national bestseller in 2008 and as of July 2009 had sold 7.2 million copies. It has remained on the New York Bestsellers list for more than a year. More importantly, it has touched the hearts of many hurting people. At the same time it has been the object of hostile attacks from those who believe the novel undermines Christian orthodoxy.

I think the question this parable addresses is this: How do wounded people come to believe that God really is "especially fond" of them?

Only after reading the book through this lens are we able to understand how Young uses some rather unconventional metaphors to deepen his point.

My interest is to unfold the story of recovery in The Shack as I experienced it through my own journey. So, I invite you to walk with me through the maze of grief, hurt, and pain as we, through experiencing Mackenzie’s shack, face our own “shacks.”

Dr. John Mark Hicks is a Professor of Theology in the Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN). He has taught for over thirty years, in over 20 countries and in most states of the United States. He has published widely through books and articles.