More on Outing Osteen
Richard Campeau has a good take on the situation with Osteen: It’s Our Own Fault
Theophilus is hitting on a subject that I intend to take up very soon in greater detail: Publishers v. Christianity. We clearly have a “wag the dog” situation going on in reference to Christian media in general, not only publishers, but retailers, Christian television and radio, CCM, and others. As important as it is that Joel Osteen not be allowed to become the face of evangelicalism, perhaps a greater long-term service that bloggers could provide would be to work together to restore some senses of accountability and discernment to these folks. It won’t be easy…
The Travels of Marco Polo
The Adventures of Polo
The Travels of Marco Polo: Edited by Peter Harris (Everyman's Library (Cloth))
This phrase comes from the 1978 "Jonestown massacre" in which most members of the Peoples Temple cult, blindly following their leader Jim Jones, committed suicide by drinking cyanide-laced Kool-Aid.
Osborne: A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God
Schlossberg: Idols For Destruction
3 Responses to “More on Outing Osteen”
I’m planning on tackling this issue more myself when I have the time. I’m getting more and more frustrated — bordering on nauseous — when I walk into a Family Bookstores or one of those places. I know they’re just trying to make a living, and capitalism is the American way, yada yada yada. But part of the problem is the old saying, “People wouldn’t be selling it if other people weren’t buying it.” (Sigh.)
Theophilus ~ Feb 7, 2005 at 10:15 am
Well yes…and a little bit “no”. I think it’s a little too simplistic to use that old saying, at least in this case. Here’s why: way too many Christians (and American Christians have to be among the most gullible critters on the planet–witness the “Madalyn Murray O’Hair Caper” and the “Proctor and Gamble Deal”) have much more money than discernment (at least somewhat the fault of us preachers!), and walking into a “trusted” store like Family Bookstores, a well-marketed, prominently displayed book will work as a “suggestion selling” item–people will buy it not having entered the store to do so. And Osteen is young and bright and positive–maybe they’ve seen him on TV–and they say, “hey, why not?” I think that happens a lot. They might exercise more discernment in a Barnes and Noble (”hmmm…can I trust this?”), but Family Bookstores is Christian, right? So it must be good!
Not!
By the way, I’m going to be very interested in your thoughts on this broader issue; let’s keep in touch as we each post on it. I plan to do it later this week sometime.
Byron ~ Feb 7, 2005 at 11:07 am
Theo & Byron,
Exactly Theo, these “Christian” bookstores could probably get rid of half of their inventory of books if they took the time to weed out the tares [bad authors]. I think those who own these stores and those employed their have the obligation to do some research on these authors and read some of their books to ensure what they state in their books adhere to biblical truths. This will of course prevent it from falling into the hands of undiscerning, naive believers and seeking unbelievers. Likewise, those who plan to purchase books at “Christian” bookstores need to learn to read their Bibles more to become so familiar with the truth that they can spot counterfeits immediately. Then they can warn people such as those in the “Christian” bookstores not to sell that material. Personally, I try to stay away from purchasing books at secular bookstores and even “Christian bookstores.” Secular bookstores- obviously because I don’t won’t to support all the trash they sell and “Christian” bookstores [not all Christian bookstores, but I haven't found a good one yet] because they fail to make the effort to carefully discern truth from error or simply don’t care. I try to buy books from the ministries’ websites that I trust knowing that I’m directly supporting them that are faithful and true to God.
Billy ~ Feb 7, 2005 at 7:58 pm