Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Christian Novel Outstrips Oprah Pick

Somewhat controversial book depicts God as a black woman named "Papa"

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2008 9:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Once rejected by multiple mainstream publishers, the slim Christian novel The Shack is flying off shelves, topping the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list. “Everybody that I know has bought at least 10 copies,” says one devotee. The Times looks at a... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

New York Times (Source Grid »)

The book's official website
TheShackBook.com

'The Shack' makes local publishers overnight successes
Ventura County Star

Critics say book is 'scripturally incorrect'
USA Today

Entertainment • Money

Christianity • religion • literature • book • best seller • Christian literature

More Newser Stories

Book: John Paul II Whipped, Starved Himself

Pope self-flagellated in pursuit of 'Christian perfection,' says author

(AP) - Pope John Paul II whipped himself with a belt, even on vacation, slept on the floor, and frequently denied himself food as acts of penitence, says a new book by the Polish prelate spearheading his sainthood case. The book Why He's a Saint also includes previously unpublished speeches and documents, including one signed memo from 1989 in which he said he would resign if he became incapacitated. More»

Half of GOP Voters in Miss., Ala. Think Obama Is Muslim

Only 12% said he was Christian in Public Policy Polling survey

(NEWSER) - Despite years of assertions to the contrary, a chunk of voters continue to believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim. Mediaite noticed this nugget in this morning's Public Policy Polling survey from Alabama and Mississippi: Asked what religion the president is, a whopping 45% of GOP voters in Alabama, and 52% in Mississippi said "Muslim." Only 14% in Alabama and 12% in Mississippi said "Christian," with the rest unsure. More»

In Ohio, a Drive-Thru Ash Wednesday

Get your Christianity in a Cincinnati church parking lot

(NEWSER) - No time for church, but still want to observe Ash Wednesday today? A Cincinnati church has the answer for its harried faithful: A drive-thru. The Mt. Healthy Methodist Church will today offer up ashes and a blessing in its parking lot between 5 and 6pm, reports the Enquirer , and you don't even have to get out of your car. "We have two entrances and one exit,” says a reverend. “So we should be able to do this fairly quickly.” But you can't get fries with that, and the ash isn't totally free: Participants must take a church brochure and a Lent booklet. “It’s a drive-thru,” says the reverend. “Not a drive-by.” More»

Hate Halloween? Celebrate 'Jesus Ween'

And no, it's not a holiday about 'Jesus's ween'

(NEWSER) - Seth Abramovitch was delighted when he ran across JesusWeen.com , a site encouraging folks to participate in "Jesus Ween," a Christian alternative to Halloween, on Oct. 31. "Jesus Ween is not, in fact, a celebration of Jesus's ween," Abramovitch notes on Gawker ; even so, the whole thing "seemed just a little too good to be true." Fortunately, he was able to get the founder, Pastor Paul Ade, on the phone. More»

Crosses to Be Removed From San Diego Hillside

Officials received complaints about monuments on public property

(NEWSER) - It could be the end of days for a few crosses outside San Diego. The California Department of Transportation plans to remove three long-standing crosses from public property after receiving complaints about them, reports the San Diego Union Tribune . The large monuments have stood just east of a state highway for decades, serving as an unofficial worship spot for generations. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Christian Novel Outstrips Oprah Pick

Somewhat controversial book depicts God as a black woman named "Papa"

Christianity • religion • literature • book • best seller • Christian literature

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Book: John Paul II Whipped, Starved Himself

Pope self-flagellated in pursuit of 'Christian perfection,' says author

Half of GOP Voters in Miss., Ala. Think Obama Is Muslim

Only 12% said he was Christian in Public Policy Polling survey

In Ohio, a Drive-Thru Ash Wednesday

Get your Christianity in a Cincinnati church parking lot

Hate Halloween? Celebrate 'Jesus Ween'

And no, it's not a holiday about 'Jesus's ween'

Crosses to Be Removed From San Diego Hillside

Officials received complaints about monuments on public property

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?