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There is so much meat in your words. This could probably lead to a side conversation that would interfere greatly with Q but that's all I've done tonight anyway.

You said:

And I thought that for the young Christians, the poorly studied or educated Christians, the curious about Christianity--the book was likely to be a disaster to their theological understanding of truth.

And, I figured that the more mature and Spirit-filled Christians would likely already have whatever meager helpful insights the book offered about the Love of God.

Again, for me, you hit the nail on the head again with that statement. I have no doubt that God can and will use everything He can to bring people (1) to salvation and (2) to a closer relationship/walk with Him. But thru my life I have found that when I was in need of my walk being nearer to Him it's been something in His Word that I've needed.

My husband and I have very different testimonies. He grew up in a strong church family and gave his life to the Lord at a young age. I did not meet and accept Christ until age 30 after some wild life and a trip into new age lies/evil. In hubby I see almost an innocence I sometimes envy and he's a synical 63 yr old. In reading The Shack he was moved to serious tears. He is the one between us who tears up at films and books much more than me but I didn't get that at all from The Shack. I was probably keeping a subconscious list of Biblical debates as I read. However, while being fully cognizant that my salvation and relationship with Christ is not based on emotion, I am often moved to tears of one sort or another just with a daily Bible Study. The life within those Words is nothing to compare to a novel for me.

Different seasons in my life have been blessed with emotional impact from different portions of scripture. Altho some portions will always remain that relevant to my heart and soul I expect. But written works, fiction or non-fiction which indicate that the "good path of a good life" sort of attainable by some false approach from false gods give me cold chills. It's a lie from the pit of hell. If we don't communicate that Jesus is the Way and the only Way we fall short.

I can't deny that the effect of reading The Shack seemed akin to that of a revival to hubby. It blessed him. But it was the opposite for me. I will say for a couple of weeks after reading the book it led us to some further Bible study together. I can't even recall which passages we studied (too many years ago) but we dedicate one night/week to just studying together so it wasn't a "new thing." Just a topical discussion because the two of us had such different reactions to that book.