Grrr!!!! I hate Christian Book Stores...and Fiction
A couple of weeks ago Kathryn needed to make a trip to Michaels, a local craft store, to get some teaching supplies. Not really in a crafty mood I decided to go and buy Mclaren's newest book at Christian Supply.
A little background, I try my best to stay away from Christian book stores. I despise them, they are the capitalism of my faith and it seems so counter to what Jesus taught. I occasionally have dreams of Jesus walking in the division street Christian Supply and clearing it out much in the same fashion he cleared the temple...but alas my dreams never happen.
So I walk into Christian supply like a dog with my tail between my legs. I just want to get in and get out. I have spent countless hours in bookstores and pride myself on being able to find books easily and thriftily. Well I searched and searched. After about 10 minutes I got frustrated and asked one of "The Secret Message of Jesus" by Mclaren. She looks it up says, oh we have one copy and it is in the Theology Section.
So I go back trying to find just the theology section. Frustrated I ask if she can point out the theology section. She comes over and points to it. There are 9 books!!! Only 9 f-ing books in the theology section at a Christian Bookstore. She apologies for being a small story. I quip "well Christian fiction doesnt seem to be hurting, you have 2 aisles for Christian fiction."
She says, "well that's what sells."
I finished her comment under my breath saying, "sadly." I was pretty upset that they didnt have the books I wanted, but I was even more appalled that books concerning theology and doctrine have become so undesired by Christians, and their reading has fallen to Christians Fiction that should have been left behind the shelves for no one to read.
Luckily Portland redeems itself with a bookstore like Powell's that despite being highly confused about Christian things finds itself more than willing to buy the more edgy Christian stuff.
This post was written under the delightful influence of dark chocolate covered almonds and a little 1999 Late Bottled Vintage Graham's Port.
If anyone out there is a port fan. Try and find the 1994 and 1999 Taylor Fladgate LBV....and even if you don't like port, find them, and I will buy them from you..hehe. Have a wonderful day everyone.
A little background, I try my best to stay away from Christian book stores. I despise them, they are the capitalism of my faith and it seems so counter to what Jesus taught. I occasionally have dreams of Jesus walking in the division street Christian Supply and clearing it out much in the same fashion he cleared the temple...but alas my dreams never happen.
So I walk into Christian supply like a dog with my tail between my legs. I just want to get in and get out. I have spent countless hours in bookstores and pride myself on being able to find books easily and thriftily. Well I searched and searched. After about 10 minutes I got frustrated and asked one of "The Secret Message of Jesus" by Mclaren. She looks it up says, oh we have one copy and it is in the Theology Section.
So I go back trying to find just the theology section. Frustrated I ask if she can point out the theology section. She comes over and points to it. There are 9 books!!! Only 9 f-ing books in the theology section at a Christian Bookstore. She apologies for being a small story. I quip "well Christian fiction doesnt seem to be hurting, you have 2 aisles for Christian fiction."
She says, "well that's what sells."
I finished her comment under my breath saying, "sadly." I was pretty upset that they didnt have the books I wanted, but I was even more appalled that books concerning theology and doctrine have become so undesired by Christians, and their reading has fallen to Christians Fiction that should have been left behind the shelves for no one to read.
Luckily Portland redeems itself with a bookstore like Powell's that despite being highly confused about Christian things finds itself more than willing to buy the more edgy Christian stuff.
This post was written under the delightful influence of dark chocolate covered almonds and a little 1999 Late Bottled Vintage Graham's Port.
If anyone out there is a port fan. Try and find the 1994 and 1999 Taylor Fladgate LBV....and even if you don't like port, find them, and I will buy them from you..hehe. Have a wonderful day everyone.
posted by Jonathan Myers at 7:26 AM
1 Comments:
I also find it interesting, ironic and tragic that the "christian fiction" section is the largest. Shouldn't "Christian Fiction" seem at least somewhat oxymoronic? Jesus parables notwithstanding. I'm with you on this one.
Post a Comment
<< Home