tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post6709755017356868935..comments2024-01-24T11:57:22.116-06:00Comments on Jeanette Levellie: Hope Splashes : I am Mad and Here's the Reason WhyJeanette Levelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-24082873425842533022011-06-26T21:59:47.789-05:002011-06-26T21:59:47.789-05:00Hi Jen,
There are also a lot of Christian books t...Hi Jen,<br />There are also a lot of Christian books that are very poorly written. <br /><br />I would love a list of a few of your top favorites.<br /><br />Fondly,<br />GlendaGLENDA CHILDERShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10413897395818998532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-46490183488622270832011-06-24T07:35:31.089-05:002011-06-24T07:35:31.089-05:00Niki: Why thank you, dear! I'm honored. I'...Niki: Why thank you, dear! I'm honored. I'll pop by to see what your peeps have to say...Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-81104490584821488542011-06-24T07:24:57.805-05:002011-06-24T07:24:57.805-05:00Hi Jen -
I've noticed the trend of certain Ch...Hi Jen -<br /><br />I've noticed the trend of certain Christian authors to let a true spiritual thread go in favor of supernatural doings that could border on the occult. I won't read their books anymore.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-35505102954852454182011-06-23T21:08:19.733-05:002011-06-23T21:08:19.733-05:00I linked to this post in my own post today! Much t...I linked to this post in my own post today! Much thinking going on! http://www.nikiturner.net/2011/06/is-christian-fiction-for-christians.html#disqus_threadNiki Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10419436634375255412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-34536394281185860442011-06-22T21:53:28.675-05:002011-06-22T21:53:28.675-05:00Within the wall of my Christian book store I'v...Within the wall of my Christian book store I've seen a few odd books. I do have a different opinion of what Christian fiction should be for believers and to minister to none believers, but I'd perfer my bookstore to weed that out for me. =) XOXOTanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-7524043432299331262011-06-22T20:11:37.939-05:002011-06-22T20:11:37.939-05:00Don't you think this watered down effect is ev...Don't you think this watered down effect is everywhere in all areas.....I think many are afraid of giving the straight gospel as it might "offend" someone....or like you said lower sales......<br /><br />Jesus said don't be luke warm.....but sadly to say many calling themselves Christians are luke warm.....Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977147960900342156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-90320729933116954932011-06-22T11:40:56.988-05:002011-06-22T11:40:56.988-05:00I'm back to add another thought. After reading...I'm back to add another thought. After reading everyone's comments it seems like most aren't objecting to the existence of "clean" books without Christian content, but to Christian bookstores selling books that don't fit the Christian genre. Clella's point may be a valid one, that the stores are expanding into the cleaner edge of the secular market to stay afloat financially. Whatever the case, this may be an argument to take up with the CBA and bookstores. After all, why call yourselves a <i>Christian</i> bookstore if customers can't count on your inventory being focused on Christ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-50604057706304297442011-06-22T07:57:26.772-05:002011-06-22T07:57:26.772-05:00Thank you all so much for your thoughts. I treasur...Thank you all so much for your thoughts. I treasure this kind of interchange of ideas, for we need to cement WHY we believe what we believe. <br /><br />Part of this issue is a personal one. I've been sweating and praying to get my overtly Christian books published for over two years now. Up until now, I thought I was competing with only Christian authors who were better writers than I, or had a wider platform. Now I find that I'm competing with ALL authors for those few CBA slots. <br /><br />I have nothing against clean secular writing--I contribute myself to a humor blog, An Army of Ermas. For those articles, I write secular humor. But it's not billed as a Christian site.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-66167074120023475842011-06-22T07:35:39.986-05:002011-06-22T07:35:39.986-05:00Oh Jeanette, I adore your controversial self. :-)
...Oh Jeanette, I adore your controversial self. :-)<br /><br />There is a publisher that I pretty much don't read books from anymore because they were clean and boring. Look, I'll be honest: If I read a Christian book, I like to see Jesus in it. If I read a non-Christian book, I'm fine with cuss words or whatever because it's non-Christian. <br />I'm not cool with Christian books that have NO Christ in them. The egg thingy was interesting but I'm not sure I agree with it. (you know, the whole light under a basket thing, or salt you can't taste).<br />I also find it a little arrogant to assume CBA must fill the "clean" slot. There's the assumption that ABA doesn't publish "clean" which really isn't true. Christian's (and this is just my controversial opinion) don't have the upperhand on Goodness like they seem to think they do. I read Christian fiction for more reasons than just wanting a clean read...*sigh* Like you said, this is controversial. I don't have a problem with motivating, uplifting stories but why call them Christian? Not sure...It is true that the ten commandments and Judaism/Christianity have a had a wonderful effect on Western culture but does that make books without Jesus Christian? Ack. This all makes my head spin.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-23068191350602731212011-06-21T19:40:11.056-05:002011-06-21T19:40:11.056-05:00Hello Friend,
It really makes sense to me what yo...Hello Friend,<br /><br />It really makes sense to me what your talking about here, I'm not seeing it as you just stating "your opinion." <br /><br />I can only speak for myself and I'm seeing something deeper than your opinion. For me, it feels like your frustration is "Not" selfishly motivated, it comes out of your passion for the Lord, and seeing Him, His Name used to sell something, when He's not the primary focus or the authors intent is not to lead anyone to Christ, or if already saved, to grow in their relationship. <br /><br />For myself, if I'm going to read something I just have to stick with Christian non-fiction, and ask myself "will it be edifying, honor Christ, put my focus on Him?" I'm VERY easily distracted, and so anything that can fill my mind with more of Jesus, will be for my own good. <br /><br />I read some of the others comments, and I could relate about things in regard to how some churches, and some Christians are feeling as if the "Truth, The Word of God" does not hold the same power as it always has, and sadly this is why we are seeing a lot of pastors trying to "make Jesus cool, instead of focusing on His holiness." ~ statement from a friend.<br /><br />It's going to be a very difficult thing to be bold for Christ as time goes on, because even fellow Christians are disagreeing on the "Truth" and how it should be preached, or I guess these days more like marketed. Sadly, there seems to be a trend to make church a source of entertainment with a somewhat diluted truth, in hopes of drawing people in. But where is the line drawn? <br /><br />I loved your boldness, passion, and your love for Jesus. <br /><br />"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." ~ JOHN 12:32 <br /><br />AMEN!!!!<br />God Bless you,<br />~MicheleWalk In Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14771576315871776572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-38232784703609377332011-06-21T16:44:58.533-05:002011-06-21T16:44:58.533-05:00Jeanette, Is it the Christian book stores' str...Jeanette, Is it the Christian book stores' struggle to stay in business at all that is causing this to happen? I understand and a agree with your basic thesis, but I do think that the other side are those books that picture Jesus as the "good guy" ... You have hit a nerve my dear. And that's good I think. Blessings ClellaClellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983086894765157930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-31593533529283752632011-06-21T16:31:38.283-05:002011-06-21T16:31:38.283-05:00Niki: I agree with you about Jesus welcoming sinne...Niki: I agree with you about Jesus welcoming sinners, not expecting them to clean up before they come to Him. But Jesus never told stories for the sake of entertainment alone--He made solid points, directing people to God.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-82269458828845421382011-06-21T16:29:04.996-05:002011-06-21T16:29:04.996-05:00Carol: I am not talking about Christian fiction; t...Carol: I am not talking about Christian fiction; the books I saw were all non-fiction, "feel-good" books that could be found in any secular bookstore. Not that I don't read secular books; I do. And I frequent B & N and Borders and Amazon.com. I just want Christian when I go to a Christian store.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-37879304358705433662011-06-21T15:50:08.245-05:002011-06-21T15:50:08.245-05:00Just popping on over to read the comments. Interes...Just popping on over to read the comments. Interesting stuff. <br /><br />Good point about the basket having no eggs at all. But I wonder...did you read the book? Do you know for sure the egg's not somewhere there?<br /><br />I really like what Jeremy Hickman said on a Facebook. I worry more about the books that do talk about Jesus - but they make him out to be some dude who cares about Americans getting rich or some other ludicrous thing.Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-25308546572824267142011-06-21T14:01:35.688-05:002011-06-21T14:01:35.688-05:00Oh, Miss Jeannette, I completely feel your pain. M...Oh, Miss Jeannette, I completely feel your pain. Much of Christian publishing seems to define itself not by a presentation of Christ as Savior and Lord, but by presenting "nice" and "clean" stories about "good" people who live "conservative" and "traditional" lives. *sigh* <br /><br />Unfortunately, I think that kind of thinking comes right from the philosophy that guides many churches, where folks who don't fit the "nice" and "clean" and "good" and "presentable" labels often aren't welcomed in our church services. Or, if welcomed, we immediately want to fix their outsides while their insides remain dead and separated from God.<br /><br />As several people have pointed out before, the Bible itself would never survive the stringent requirements of current Christian publishers. Way too dark, too edgy, too confrontational, too controversial.Niki Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10419436634375255412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-90712220244137250472011-06-21T12:38:27.458-05:002011-06-21T12:38:27.458-05:00I think there is a place for overt Christian and j...I think there is a place for overt Christian and just inspiring stories. Hopefully, they will "be inspired" to go further and find God. :O)Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07604687906788800639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-73177992091527794482011-06-21T11:52:39.991-05:002011-06-21T11:52:39.991-05:00A very timely conversation, Jen. I've muttered...A very timely conversation, Jen. I've muttered a few times that I wish the CBA had a labelling code so someone browsing the shelves could easily identify the intent of a book's content. I like to know what I'm buying.<br /><br />Just because a book is sold in a Christian bookstore nowadays doesn't mean it's sweet Christian fiction. When we look at the popularity of authors such as Brandilyn Collins, Linda Hall, and James Scott Bell, whose novels include suspense, murder and mystery, there is obviously a market for these kind of stories among Christian readers -- stories of the world's hard everyday life written from a Christian worldview. <br /><br />While I agree there is a great need for books sharing the message of Christ's salvation, fiction that is written by Christians but aimed at wider mainstream audiences has value, too. Maybe the problem isn't so much in the expectation of what Christian novelists [should] write as in what Christian bookstores [should] sell. In the post Katie mentions there's a comment about whether as writers we are "a Christian who writes fiction or a Christian fiction writer." There's a clear distinction and I believe there is room for both in today's market.<br /><br />But I also believe the cover blurbs should be clear about the content. Don't call it Christian if there is no reference to the Christian faith, but *do* say it's "Christian Suspense" or whatever, if faith place a part in the story. I've heard just as much criticism of books that mislead buyers by hiding their Christian theme.<br /><br />Oh, now see how you've got me on my soapbox, Jen! It's definitely a controversial subject and I'll have to come back later and see what others have to say on it.<br /><br />Carol GarvinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-74498788941173260342011-06-21T11:22:44.838-05:002011-06-21T11:22:44.838-05:00Wow! Great post, Jeanette! Love your title, so cle...Wow! Great post, Jeanette! Love your title, so cleverly changed from the song, "I'm so happy, and here's the reason why." You make a good point! Can't say that I've visited the Christian bookstores in awhile as I download most books to my Kindle. But if that's what's out there, I'm in agreement with you! Jesus' message of salvation is what's needed today, not stories about good things that people have done. It's all about Him - the focus shouldn't be on us! God bless!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-5242707111701384512011-06-21T10:55:07.387-05:002011-06-21T10:55:07.387-05:00Rhonda: But of course! Pick a day and place. I'...Rhonda: But of course! Pick a day and place. I'll be there.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-49414480075733434672011-06-21T09:33:29.769-05:002011-06-21T09:33:29.769-05:00Can we talk about this over coffee? Please? :) ...Can we talk about this over coffee? Please? :) So past ready for it. I keep thinking about you, even if you don't hear from me as much right now.<br /><br />Love you.<br /><br />RhondaRhonda Schrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05512423397478708632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-74378978877387620812011-06-21T07:19:06.724-05:002011-06-21T07:19:06.724-05:00Terri: That's fine, I have no problem with cle...Terri: That's fine, I have no problem with clean. Just call it clean; don't call it Christian. Christian means "following Christ." Christ is the Anointed One sent from God. He is God in the flesh. Not just a good guy who sets a fine example.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-35142117501583214562011-06-21T07:17:38.476-05:002011-06-21T07:17:38.476-05:00Katie: We're not talking hiding the egg here--...Katie: We're not talking hiding the egg here--we're talking no egg at all; just a pretty basket to look at with no egg inside, sold by an egg distributor. <br /><br />At least the L, W, and W makes people thirsty to know the truth. Who is Aslan? Where does his power come from? <br /><br />The books I saw could be published by anyone. They are feel good books. Which are not wrong in themselves. They just don't belong in an egg basket if they don't nourish anyone.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-69679973812345305632011-06-21T07:13:15.875-05:002011-06-21T07:13:15.875-05:00It's been this way a long long time--I sold bo...It's been this way a long long time--I sold books years ago this way. Christian publishing means clean--not just giving the gospel:(Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2081925465275931199.post-21349983728706818692011-06-21T07:01:04.277-05:002011-06-21T07:01:04.277-05:00I'm going to be the first to bite!
Now, keep...I'm going to be the first to bite! <br /><br />Now, keep in mind, this is just me thinking out loud. Or wait. This isn't "out loud". This is just me...thinking while typing.<br /><br />Moving on.<br /><br />I'm not sure how I feel about nonfiction. Because I write fiction, I don't give much thought about what should or shouldn't be published in nonfiction. I'm letting that roll over in mind before I commit to one side or the other.<br /><br />But for fiction, this is something I've thought a whole lot about. Tim Downs gave a whole speech on this very subject (what constitutes Christian fiction?) at the ACFW conference last year. <br /><br />Should Christian fiction include the gospel message?<br /><br />I actually wrote a post about it here: http://katieganshert.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-is-christian-fiction.html<br /><br />When I talk about pride at the end - I just want to clarify. Nothing about your post today is prideful Jeannette! Just passionate. And I love it. It's got my cogs spinning.<br /><br />As far as fiction goes, I'm okay with "hiding the egg". That won't make sense unless you read my blog post. <br /><br />There are so many non Christians who will never pick up a fictional book with heavy Christian themes. But....think how popular The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is in the secular world. There are people who don't even know that Aslan is the Christ figure. But it opens a door that would otherwise be slammed shut....it opens a door of conversation that COULD lead to the gospel message.<br /><br />So yeah....I'm torn. Should this same rule apply to nonfiction? I have to think more on this.<br /><br />I understand your disturbance though. I've noticed the same in certain churches. Watering down the truth all for the sake of being "cool" or "relevant". It disturbs me too.Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.com