Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky

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Category: Russian Novel Acquired: Borrowed from Betsy & Todd Read: February, March, April, May Briefly: Russian man commits a nasty crime, and is tortured by guilt for 472 pages.

Comments: So, you ask, "since when did Ken start reading Russian novels?" The answer is twofold: first, since I became impressed by how often Dostoevsky was mentioned by other Christian authors as someone whose writings had a profound impact on their own spiritual journeys. Indeed, I've heard him described as someone whose writings kept the Christian perspective alive during the dark days of Communism. I wanted to understand why this was so. Secondly, it was just one of those curiosity things - my kids had read them (voluntarily), and I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

However, what they neglected to tell me (until too late), was that the best way to go at one of these books is to read a commentary first, find out what to look for, and then go ahead and read it. Maybe if I had done that, more of it would have sunk it. As it was, I pretty much followed the story line OK, but I think I missed the deeper parts. At least, I can't point to any profound effect this had on my spiritual understanding. I suppose it also didn't help that I read this book in 15 minute snippets over a four month period. Maybe that's not ideal?

The Shack - William Young

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Category: Fiction Acquired: Borders Read: United Flights 916 and 950 (Seattle to D.C. to Brussels) Briefly: An excruciating family tragedy leaves a man angry at God and questioning His goodness, love and justice. After months of brooding, he receives a handwritten note in his mailbox, inviting him back to 'the shack' - a key locale in the tragedy - because "we need to talk". The ensuing weekend is something we've all dreamed about at some point or another - the chance to sit down with the triune God of the universe, letting Him know that things aren't going so swell down here, and getting to hear His response.

Comments: Jumping right to the bottom line - you need to read this book. Not because it's a theological textbook, but because it's a piece of art, where the author paints word pictures to show what it might look like if the three members of the Trinity were to meet with someone in a run-down shack in the woods. He describes their effect on the physical surroundings, their interactions among themselves, and their compassion toward the person -- all with a depth of creativity and beauty that left me smiling and shaking my head in awe (when I wasn't... ummm... wiping some speck out of my eye). The theology is sound (as far as it goes), the topics are deep, and the treatment is immensely satisfying.

Basically, there's no way I can really do justice in reviewing this book, so I'm not going to try. However, here's a link to the best review I've read so far, written by a fairly well-known evangelical theologian. And, just for completeness' sake, here's a link to the most absurd review I've read.

That being said, I will comment on two things that left an impression:

First, I was tickled by the portrayal of God the Father as a matronly, cookie-baking African-American woman. When the man (and probably some of the readers) reacted in surprise, the response was (my paraphrase): "yes, I know you were expecting a caucasian, grandfatherly type with a white beard, and I wanted to show you that all mental images are equally incorrect". (Note to The Matrix fans: there's a striking similarity between this depiction and Gloria Foster's character "Oracle". Anyone care to explain?)

Secondly, there was a phrase that caught my eye as the Godhead were discussing the nature of the love relationship. It was that such relationships should not be built around expectations, but rather around expectancy. That is, you don't approach the other with a list of desires and needs that you want/expect them to satisfy, but rather by granting them freedom to do whatever they think best, simply trusting them to have your best interests at heart. Still pondering that one.

Yes, I know that this book has generated some controversy in the Christian community, but lighten up folks - it's fiction - it's fantasy, not a theology textbook. I've read a few of the negative reviews, and the most common theme seems to be that it portrays God's relationship with mankind as essentially love-based. That is, it doesn't spend a lot of time talking about God's other, equally important attributes - righteousness and justice - which necessitated the ultimate act of love on Christ's part. Fair enough.

However, I'd also point to the picture hanging on the wall of many Sunday School classrooms - the one where Christ is standing in a garden, knocking on a door and hoping to be invited in. But guess what - Jesus didn't look like that, and there is no actual garden, no door, and His knocking is only symbolic. And yet, that piece of artwork, in its own symbolic way, communicates an important truth about one aspect of God's relationship to humankind. It's not the whole Gospel, but just one part, yet presented in a way that's memorable, accessible, and just might impact you in ways that a textbook description never could. If a painting can accomplish that, how much more can a piece of literary art such as this book?

As it happens, my niece Denaye was reading this book around the same time that Brenda & I found it. I thought her comments on it were insightful, you might enjoy them as well.