Another Double Book Review

I'm sitting here in a hotel room in Ontario, CA, and nothing about my computer is working quickly.  I'm trying to open files off our servers in Plano and its as slow as molasses over the hotel's wireless and Bayer's VPN.  So, while I'm waiting for this massive file to download, I figured I'd work on a blog post / book review.  The one benefit of all this travel is that I get to read, a lot, which, considering that its my favorite hobby (ok, obsession might be better stating it), is a good thing but hey, at least I'm putting my Kindle to good use.

So, what am I reviewing for you today?  Well, the two books are very different, yet surprisingly similar in theme in a way that caught me by surprise.  The books are (thank you Amazon for the images...)

So, what does a novel about a supposed religious sign appearing over the Earth's melting ice caps and a face-to-face encounter with God have to do with each other?  Well, that's what I've been pondering ever since I finished The Sign a few hours ago.  The connection isn't obvious so first, let me tell you a bit about each, starting with The Sign.

Its a statement about the author's take on the current global warming crisis and humankind's take on "religion" wrapped in a modern day thriller.  There's not a lot I can tell you without giving away the plot and although I'm not typically one to like novels that make a political statement, I liked this one.  If you liked the movie Avatar, even with the pro-environment, anti-military, save the world message, you'll probably like this book.  Its got good character development, a fast-paced plot and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.  Religion enters the picture when the technology behind the sign (which by the way, is really cool and I'm sure not that far out there in terms of actual development) is used to manipulate a devout monk into appearing to be a messianic figure in order to deliver a message to humans that is controlled by a small paramilitary group.  It touches on the phenomena in today's culture where all things are acceptable when done in the name of Christianity.  We elect leaders, as long as they tell us they're "believers", without ever questioning their beliefs.  We follow the latest evangelical teacher who has the biggest light show, the loudest voice and the most fundamental message, without ever questioning their teachings or looking for ourselves at what the Bible says.  I'm a big believer in discovering the Word of God for myself and that's where this book intersected, for me, with The Shack.

First, let me tell you that I LOVED The Shack.  I know and fully agree that its not the Bible and that much of what the author claims has been debated by some of the brightest and best minds in theology.  But, the idea that God loves his children enough to take such a personal interest in them as to arrange a weekend alone with one of them is not far from my personal view of my Father.  I confess that I truly believe the author had a personal encounter with God, in all three of His forms.  I mean, why not?  God is not an absentee Father to any of us but I also know that I'm not "educated" enough to debate the finer points of theology on this one.  So, for me, its enough that I believe it happened and that much of what the author claims resonates with how I view God.  If you haven't read this one, please do.  Sit down, read it, cry with it and discover a wholly different way to think of our Creator ... one that is personal and loving and mind-blowing.  Follow that up with some Bible study and lots of prayer though ... while this is a great book, its no substitute for the real thing and your own personal relationship.

So, how do these two books intersect?  In one, I expected to find God and it made me think about my relationship with Him in new ways.  In the other, I had no expectations of finding God within the pages, yet there He was.  But, where The Shack opened up thoughts on my personal relationship, The Sign left me with that sour taste in my mouth called cynicism.  Yet, sadly, The Sign's view of God and religion is far closer to what most people seem to have embraced.  Its shallow and tainted and says more about what people are blindly willing to believe in their search for meaning than it does about what God desires for His children.  They both made me think and ponder, albeit on similar yet fundamentally different ideas.

So, I hope I haven't completely confused you and if I have, mea culpa.  Perhaps you'll read one, or both, of these and have a different viewpoint that I did.  Perhaps if I'd read The Sign before reading The Shack I would have had a different reaction to it as well.  Its not a bad book, its just a book that left me more worried about today's culture and the direction we're heading than anything else.