"Thomas Nelson Publishers Needs A Biblical 'Align'ment" By Steven J. Camp From His Blog www.stevenjcamp.blogspot.com
Thomas Nelson Publishers Needs a Biblical "Align"ment
...which master do they serve?
"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." -Luke 16:13
Dear Blogging Aficionados:
If some of you have wondered why I haven’t posted these past six days, it is because I am writing to you from down-under… I have been in the beautiful country of New Zealand since this past Wednesday. The Kiwi’s are such genuine people and the church here has been tremendously supportive and biblically sound. We have enjoyed rich times of fellowship and by God’s grace the ministry here has been received very well. I have been teaching almost solely on the gospel… for which there is a tremendous need in this country. Pastor Russ and the entire team here have been a joy to partner with and I will miss them tremendously when it is time to depart.
More to come later tomorrow on the New Zealand trip.
One of the great blessings of being in New Zealand this past week is not having to be bombarded daily with Christian TV, Christian Radio that is “safe for the whole family”, and needless evangelical twaddle that seems to never end. One such item that I came across a few days ago, however, I cannot let slide and must comment on. Thomas Nelson Publishers are at it again with their latest foray in the BibleZine™ format called, “Align.” This ‘zine is targeting young male professionals and here is what their own ad copy suggests: “created with today’s modern guy in mind. With an edgy, techo-savvy style and content that makes Biblical truth fresh and relevant, it might just make Bible reading the best part of your day. By putting one of the most readable versions of the Bible, the New Century Version®, together with articles about the topics you face everyday, we’ve created a ‘zine that will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith.”
It was unpleasant enough when the first edition came out a few years ago targeting teenage girls with nothing more than frivolous, sensual, unbiblical mixed messages with Scripture cleverly woven in and out of the ads and articles. Using the New Century Version is concern enough (only the Message paraphrase comes second in its contemporary nomenclature eisegesis meanderings); but this latest addition is nothing short of peddling the Word of God for profit (cp, 2 Cor. 2:17). Contrary to TNP claims that this ‘zine “will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith” it accomplishes the exact opposite.
If you haven’t “studied” the cover above, look at the themes they deem worthy to focus for men. Are you as outraged as I am at this kind of lack of biblical integrity technique and approach? Has postmodern thinking so dominated the Christian publishing industry that TNP thinks that serious believers in the Lord would be attracted by this sort of dribble?
Secular ownership of Christian music and publishers has been an issue I have been warning people against for almost fourteen years now. And here is one of the reasons for “sounding the alarm”… “Align.”
The only thing Thomas Nelson forgot to do, is to “align” its own publication with the Word of God.
I have never asked this of anyone on this blog before, but the time has come to act and act we must. Would you be willing to contact Thomas Nelson Publishers by email or phone and voice your disgust over this latest trend in dumbing down the Scriptures? Just click here or call 1.800.251.4000 and ask for the department responsible for the BibleZine™ product line... and then begin to minister to them! Be polite; be direct; be biblical; and be faithful.
May I encourage you to copy this article to as many as necessary, especially those in local church ministry, and ask them to confront this unfortunate mishandling of God's Word.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7
...which master do they serve?
"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." -Luke 16:13
Dear Blogging Aficionados:
If some of you have wondered why I haven’t posted these past six days, it is because I am writing to you from down-under… I have been in the beautiful country of New Zealand since this past Wednesday. The Kiwi’s are such genuine people and the church here has been tremendously supportive and biblically sound. We have enjoyed rich times of fellowship and by God’s grace the ministry here has been received very well. I have been teaching almost solely on the gospel… for which there is a tremendous need in this country. Pastor Russ and the entire team here have been a joy to partner with and I will miss them tremendously when it is time to depart.
More to come later tomorrow on the New Zealand trip.
One of the great blessings of being in New Zealand this past week is not having to be bombarded daily with Christian TV, Christian Radio that is “safe for the whole family”, and needless evangelical twaddle that seems to never end. One such item that I came across a few days ago, however, I cannot let slide and must comment on. Thomas Nelson Publishers are at it again with their latest foray in the BibleZine™ format called, “Align.” This ‘zine is targeting young male professionals and here is what their own ad copy suggests: “created with today’s modern guy in mind. With an edgy, techo-savvy style and content that makes Biblical truth fresh and relevant, it might just make Bible reading the best part of your day. By putting one of the most readable versions of the Bible, the New Century Version®, together with articles about the topics you face everyday, we’ve created a ‘zine that will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith.”
It was unpleasant enough when the first edition came out a few years ago targeting teenage girls with nothing more than frivolous, sensual, unbiblical mixed messages with Scripture cleverly woven in and out of the ads and articles. Using the New Century Version is concern enough (only the Message paraphrase comes second in its contemporary nomenclature eisegesis meanderings); but this latest addition is nothing short of peddling the Word of God for profit (cp, 2 Cor. 2:17). Contrary to TNP claims that this ‘zine “will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith” it accomplishes the exact opposite.
If you haven’t “studied” the cover above, look at the themes they deem worthy to focus for men. Are you as outraged as I am at this kind of lack of biblical integrity technique and approach? Has postmodern thinking so dominated the Christian publishing industry that TNP thinks that serious believers in the Lord would be attracted by this sort of dribble?
Secular ownership of Christian music and publishers has been an issue I have been warning people against for almost fourteen years now. And here is one of the reasons for “sounding the alarm”… “Align.”
The only thing Thomas Nelson forgot to do, is to “align” its own publication with the Word of God.
I have never asked this of anyone on this blog before, but the time has come to act and act we must. Would you be willing to contact Thomas Nelson Publishers by email or phone and voice your disgust over this latest trend in dumbing down the Scriptures? Just click here or call 1.800.251.4000 and ask for the department responsible for the BibleZine™ product line... and then begin to minister to them! Be polite; be direct; be biblical; and be faithful.
May I encourage you to copy this article to as many as necessary, especially those in local church ministry, and ask them to confront this unfortunate mishandling of God's Word.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7
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