Character Analysis in The Novel “The Shack” Based on
Christian’s Trinitarianism
Yulius Hadyanto
Abstract
This study is intended to uncover the relation of Christian’ Trinitarianism between the definition by Stephen Tong and the one described inside the novel entitled The Shack. Not only serve as the selling point of The Shack, the ideas of Trinity are also projected and challenged throughout the interactive description of every character in the Trinity. Young introduce each of Trinity characters in a unique manner, not only because he tries to reassemble the complicated concept of Trinity, but he also tries to recreate and reshape the image of Trinity to be more of a human in his novel. The design of relationship between human and God in Christianity also posed a challenge in this novel. Paul Young cleverly divided the heavenly personification of God and Holy Spirit to be interacted lively with human (represented by Mackenzie, the main character) as they also morph the human-to-God relationship into a more human-to-human relationship. As a comparison for the relationship that was described in the book I will use the definition of Trinity taken from Stephen Tong; whose thoughts and definition of Trinity became a learning foundation in many of the Christian church in Indonesia. Furthermore, I will undergo this characters analyzing process with a critical eye; I also try to understand what the author wants to show or teach to us and furthermore compare it with Tong’s theory of Trinity.
