… I say that half seriously. I know it isn’t their problem at all, I can’t blame it on the corporate leaders and suppliers of our intellectual mind, but they certainly are a reflection of the norm of American Christians.
The problem: Christian Inspiration.
Seriously? Christian Inspiration? Does anyone else see a problem with this? The reason the American church is hurting as bad as it is is a result of too many people being inspired, but no body really acting. I say Christian Action should be the new book section. Who puts C.S. Lewis and J. I. Packer on the same shelf as Joel Olsteen and T. D. Jakes? I’m done being inspired. Motivation, yes. But inspiration, I’ll pass on.
1 Comment
August 10, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Amen, Amen, and Amen!!! most of the books that pass for christian writing these days is simply motivational Tony Robbins trash with a Christian Spin. “how to live a better life” “Your guide to a better you” “Living life without limits” are just a few of these titles. You’re right not to blame Barnes and Noble, though. They’re just looking to sell books and make money. But then again, so are these authors and their publishers. They’re way more interested in selling a lot of books and gaining a platform than they are truly preaching the truth. They love to say how their book profits are all donated to charity, but when you look closely, they are very much intertwined in those so called charities…..ok, i’ve digressed.
As for Christian action, does there really need to be any books written about it? Wasn’t Jesus pretty clear about what to do in the gospels? The problem is that his instructions for action are not always inspirational, convenient, and popular. Nope, we’d much rather read about how to live a fufilled life than taking up our cross and denying ourselves. We’re way more inclined to learn how to experience our “best life now” than becoming servants and considering others better than ourselves.
Is it society? the media? the way we’re wired? I don’t know who to blame, but it is what it is.