I go camping each year with a very good friend, her brother and her sister’s families. They were all raised Catholic and have fallen away. The first was the sister who married a staunch Evangelical. At her dad’s funeral, she thanked her husband for teaching her that you didn’t need a church. My friend goes to the Methodist church, likely for social reasons. I think she will eventually return to the church. At any rate, I just found out that the sister plans to bring The Shack to our camping trip to read and discuss. I plan to read it in advance so that I can defend the faith and evangelize. Any guidance is appreciated. Thoughts.
Read and highlight! Besides the fact that the author seems to make caricatures of the Trinity, it is anti-organized religion. And how sappy that God is a big black woman dancing in the kitchen while she cooks! I pictured the character from "Big Momma’s House’’ or the comedian Flip Wilson doing “Geraldine” which you will not be familiar with if you are young. He does say “some” good things about things like suffering but they are outweighed by all the other garbage. If your friend and others are not in the Church and not knowledgeable they may not notice, or care, about the inaccuracies.
The character of Sophia is another thing entirely! Sophia is found in the heresy of Gnosticism. Google it after you have read the book.
People seem to be tied up in the emotion of the tragedy in the book and overlook everything else. I think others find justification for their “I don’t need religion to be religious” faith.
Anyway, here are a few examples from the book.
*Mack was thinking of his friends, church people who had expressed love to him and his family. He knew they loved Jesus, but were also sold out to religious activity and patriotism.
Jesus paused, his voice steady and patient. ""Like I said, I don’t create institutions; that’s an occupation for those who want to play God…I’m not too big on religion…these institutions, these structures and ideologies, are all a vain effort to create some sense of certainty and security where there isn’t any. It’s all false!*
Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.
And finally this doozie…
My words are alive and dynamic - full of life and possibility; yours are dead, full of law and fear and judgment. That is why you won’t find the word responsibility in the Scriptures.
This last one is the biggest crock of all. You won’t find the word Trinity in the sciptures either. Responsibility is ALL OVER the scriptures!
Anyway, you get the idea. You might google the author and read his background. Gives you some insight into why he may write this way. Good luck.
That’s exactly how I felt. Yes, the response is often “it’s only a book” or “you don’t have to believe it”. My problem is in the way it’s being touted as this great Christian book.
I’d tell you my favorite part, but I wouldn’t want to spoil anything. 
Had to laugh here.