The Bible Superstore Signs
If you are reading this, it might mean that you've seen our signs on the bulletin board outside the Bible Superstore. Perhaps you have come here for further explanation.
First off, let us introduce ourselves. CoEmergentCo is shorthand for Colorado Emergent Cohort. We are a group of mostly college-age kids who have chosen to join God as He saves the world.
(for more info on what emergent cohorts really are, go to http://emergent-us.typepad.com/cohorts/)
Here's an explanation of each sign that appeared on the bulletin board:
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS A DEN OF THIEVES. Jesus called the temple a den of thieves when He turned over the moneychangers' tables and disrupted their business. (see Matthew 21:12-13). He was outraged that they were exploiting the worship ceremony for profit. The contemporary equivalent is the Bible Superstore, which traffics in worship CDs, worship compilations, worship books, worship calendars, and well, just go in and see for yourself! And all at high prices, higher than most other "secular" media outlets. Go and compare prices for yourself!
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE EXPLOITS THE NAME OF GOD FOR MONEY. A similar sentiment to the previous sign, but including mass-produced t-shirts, keychains, ballpoint pens, greeting cards, and even mints plastered with the name of our Creator and our Savior. These things are completely unnecessary for Christ-like living. On the contrary, they trivialize and dilute the name of God. What a sad, disgusting practice compared with Jewish tradition, which holds the name of God so sacred that it is never even written down.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE GETS AWAY WITH SELLING MEDIOCRE MUSIC, BOOKS, AND ART. The Christian niche market is perhaps the easiest to break into, for here it is not talent, passion, or excellence that matter, but the fact that something is labelled "Christian." Such as Christian Music, Christian Books, etc. The Left Behind series is a fitting example. It is full of one-sided characters, shoddy plot-kneading, and plenty of stilted dialogue. It is pulp fiction in the highest, successful as a high-paced page turner, but an utter failure as excellent art. But the fact that it is set in the "end times," and references a popular Christian interpretation of Revelation (as a prediction of the future rather than its original context as coded Jewish apocalyptic), the series has sold millions and in turn made Jenkins and LaHaye millionaires.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE PROMOTES CONSUMERISM. As Christians we should be finding a cure for capitalism, striving for a better day when everything, including time, is not money. The way to do this is not to set up yet another store in which to buy products. More in the next entry.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS A SAFE PLACE FOR CHRISTIANS. A common habit among Christians is to pull away from culture in an effort to maintain one's own personal purity or rightousness. Christians are constantly seeking "wholesome alternatives" to "secular" media. The Bible Superstore preys upon this escapism, offering a safe haven where Christians can spend their money without having to sort anything out on their own. It allows Christians to indulge their consumerist urges, but still somehow feel good about it, just because they bought something with the name Jesus on it. As followers of Christ, we are not meant to be timid escapists, afraid of "bad influences," hiding in a bubble with WayFM. No, we are meant to be a powerful force in the world, changing it for the better, joining with God as He saves it. We must not seek safety; we must start a dangerous revolution of love and reconciliation.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS PART OF A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY. As stated above, smart businesses have learned how to profit from Christian escapism. Read this and this with a few more stats. Also, this report is just sickening. The words "Christian" and "market" should never go together. The essence of Jesus's message was "Give away all you have. Do not store up treasure on earth."
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE WILL TAKE DOWN THESE SIGNS BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD FOR BUSINESS. Although these signs proclaim truth, they will still come down quickly. Because the pursuit of truth, another central theme in Jesus's teachings, is not what the Superstore is interested in.
EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND AT THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS A DOLLAR YOU COULD HAVE GIVEN TO THE HOMELESS. STOP BUYING CHRISTIAN TRINKETS AND START SAVING THE WORLD.
Granted, there are a few good things for sale at the Superstore, such as books by C.S. Lewis. But there are other places to find these, like the library. The Bible is another thing to acquire elsewhere. The Gideons will give you one for free, as it should be. Selling a Bible is perhaps the most opposite thing to Jesus's message.
I would like to add a clause if I may:
I don't think these statements apply directly to the intentions and motivations of the owners of the Bible Superstore. This does not cut the legs out from under the truth of the post but simply avoids the presumption that we can judge the hearts and minds of those involved, whether in ownership or employment, with the store. I believe this store is not a problem in itself but rather is a sore - a manifestation of the greater disease that is thriving in the Church catholic.
With that in mind, the solution to this sickness, rather than attacking the sore that is only the result of the sickness, is to take the above truths (or simply the Truth, Jesus) into our lives which would make consumerism null and void
Please leave comments, rants, arguments, agreements, etc. They can even be anonymous, we don't mind. We just want to start a conversation that hopefully leads to a better world.
First off, let us introduce ourselves. CoEmergentCo is shorthand for Colorado Emergent Cohort. We are a group of mostly college-age kids who have chosen to join God as He saves the world.
(for more info on what emergent cohorts really are, go to http://emergent-us.typepad.com/cohorts/)
Here's an explanation of each sign that appeared on the bulletin board:
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS A DEN OF THIEVES. Jesus called the temple a den of thieves when He turned over the moneychangers' tables and disrupted their business. (see Matthew 21:12-13). He was outraged that they were exploiting the worship ceremony for profit. The contemporary equivalent is the Bible Superstore, which traffics in worship CDs, worship compilations, worship books, worship calendars, and well, just go in and see for yourself! And all at high prices, higher than most other "secular" media outlets. Go and compare prices for yourself!
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE EXPLOITS THE NAME OF GOD FOR MONEY. A similar sentiment to the previous sign, but including mass-produced t-shirts, keychains, ballpoint pens, greeting cards, and even mints plastered with the name of our Creator and our Savior. These things are completely unnecessary for Christ-like living. On the contrary, they trivialize and dilute the name of God. What a sad, disgusting practice compared with Jewish tradition, which holds the name of God so sacred that it is never even written down.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE GETS AWAY WITH SELLING MEDIOCRE MUSIC, BOOKS, AND ART. The Christian niche market is perhaps the easiest to break into, for here it is not talent, passion, or excellence that matter, but the fact that something is labelled "Christian." Such as Christian Music, Christian Books, etc. The Left Behind series is a fitting example. It is full of one-sided characters, shoddy plot-kneading, and plenty of stilted dialogue. It is pulp fiction in the highest, successful as a high-paced page turner, but an utter failure as excellent art. But the fact that it is set in the "end times," and references a popular Christian interpretation of Revelation (as a prediction of the future rather than its original context as coded Jewish apocalyptic), the series has sold millions and in turn made Jenkins and LaHaye millionaires.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE PROMOTES CONSUMERISM. As Christians we should be finding a cure for capitalism, striving for a better day when everything, including time, is not money. The way to do this is not to set up yet another store in which to buy products. More in the next entry.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS A SAFE PLACE FOR CHRISTIANS. A common habit among Christians is to pull away from culture in an effort to maintain one's own personal purity or rightousness. Christians are constantly seeking "wholesome alternatives" to "secular" media. The Bible Superstore preys upon this escapism, offering a safe haven where Christians can spend their money without having to sort anything out on their own. It allows Christians to indulge their consumerist urges, but still somehow feel good about it, just because they bought something with the name Jesus on it. As followers of Christ, we are not meant to be timid escapists, afraid of "bad influences," hiding in a bubble with WayFM. No, we are meant to be a powerful force in the world, changing it for the better, joining with God as He saves it. We must not seek safety; we must start a dangerous revolution of love and reconciliation.
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS PART OF A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY. As stated above, smart businesses have learned how to profit from Christian escapism. Read this and this with a few more stats. Also, this report is just sickening. The words "Christian" and "market" should never go together. The essence of Jesus's message was "Give away all you have. Do not store up treasure on earth."
THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE WILL TAKE DOWN THESE SIGNS BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD FOR BUSINESS. Although these signs proclaim truth, they will still come down quickly. Because the pursuit of truth, another central theme in Jesus's teachings, is not what the Superstore is interested in.
EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND AT THE BIBLE SUPERSTORE IS A DOLLAR YOU COULD HAVE GIVEN TO THE HOMELESS. STOP BUYING CHRISTIAN TRINKETS AND START SAVING THE WORLD.
Granted, there are a few good things for sale at the Superstore, such as books by C.S. Lewis. But there are other places to find these, like the library. The Bible is another thing to acquire elsewhere. The Gideons will give you one for free, as it should be. Selling a Bible is perhaps the most opposite thing to Jesus's message.
I would like to add a clause if I may:
I don't think these statements apply directly to the intentions and motivations of the owners of the Bible Superstore. This does not cut the legs out from under the truth of the post but simply avoids the presumption that we can judge the hearts and minds of those involved, whether in ownership or employment, with the store. I believe this store is not a problem in itself but rather is a sore - a manifestation of the greater disease that is thriving in the Church catholic.
With that in mind, the solution to this sickness, rather than attacking the sore that is only the result of the sickness, is to take the above truths (or simply the Truth, Jesus) into our lives which would make consumerism null and void
Please leave comments, rants, arguments, agreements, etc. They can even be anonymous, we don't mind. We just want to start a conversation that hopefully leads to a better world.
posted by coemergentco at 11/06/2006 01:35:00 PM
15 Comments:
I would like to add a clause if I may:
I don't think these statements apply directly to the intentions and motivations of the owners of the Bible Superstore. This does not cut the legs out from under the truth of the post but simply avoids the presumption that we can judge the hearts and minds of those involved, whether in ownership or employment, with the store. I believe this store is not a problem in itself but rather is a sore - a manifestation of the greater disease that is thriving in the Church catholic.
With that in mind, the solution to this sickness, rather than attacking the sore that is only the result of the sickness, is to take the above truths (or simply the Truth, Jesus) into our lives which would make consumerism null and void .
Sometimes I find that the people who judge me the most are those who say they are Christians. I guess this holds true for a lot of things. That's not to say that I don't judge or you don't judge, but sometimes people try so hard to make things SO right that they lose sight of the bigger picture. They become so conservative that their efforts begin to hurt instead of help. Consumerism is a part of this world. It's a choice, in my opinion. It's a choice of how you choose to spend your money. Simply holding on to the Truth will lead you down the right path (as if we all haven't heard that one before!). Anyway, I'm done babbling...
Ryan,
I am a fellow ecclesial dreamer and friend of Emergent Village down south in Parker, CO. I have been trying to get in touch with you but the email address I have for you is not working.
Drop me a line when you get a chance. There are people trying to connect with you there.
Thanks.
James
jmills(a)knowtown(.)com
Yeah, and I can see the love of Christ just beaming in this blog so much...Wow, you are *really* helping the kingdom of God and saving the world by this...Why don't you do something useful like actually read your bible and understand the context in which it's written. The whole "den of robbers" thing was Christ seeing how corrupt the religious system was. People would buy animals for sacrifices, which was a good thing, but then they would go and re-sell them for money. The money changers were keeping those who really wanted to go to God from doing that. The Bible Superstore is an awesome ministry and tool for christians in the Fort Collins area. I, along with a long list of others I know, are grateful for this ministry and fully support it. They are doing the work of the ministry and I commend them for putting up with your unnecessary sabotage.
Dear Anonymous,
I wish this could be done in a gentler way, but it's a problem that requires a bit of shouting and bubble-breaking.
First off, have you read the explanations of each sign? And if so, what specific arguments do you have with them?
Second, please explain what you mean by "ministry." If you mean Christians making money off of other Christians, then you're right, the Superstore does have an "awesome ministry" in Fort Collins.
But it is exactly the sort of place that turns away honest truth-seekers who are looking for a genuine encounter with the Creator. The Superstore is filled with kitschy trinkets for sale. Christ calls us to much more than this.
Third, I'm not sure how your definition of the "den of robbers" differs from ours. Would you not agree that Christ was angered by people profiting financially from the worship ceremony? And would you not agree that people these days profit from "worship music?" Please read some of the links about the multi-billion-dollar Christian Industry to see where we're coming from.
Again, this is not an attack on the Superstore's owners or employees, but rather an attack on Christain consumerism, which is an ugly paradox, a "moneychanger's table," if you will, that must be overturned if the true message of Jesus is to have any credibility in this town.
I'm sure we agree on most things. Like feeding the homeless instead of buying another Thomas Kinkade painting for one's living room.
Thanks for your interaction. I hope this becomes more of a conversation than an argument as we continue to better understand each other.
Love,
Ryan
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Well, my goodness! You've articulated feelings and intuitive leanings that I have about that place. Thank you for shining the light of truth on an aspect of the Christian scene. Many of the things in that store just seemed silly to me and I just avoided going there. Now, I really know why....
Jim Colburn
We are not to judge in this life; only God can do that. However, we are to love as Crist loves; we can have all of the understanding and knowledge in the world, but without love, we have nothing. God loves the sinner, but He hates the sin.
P.S. I do not even know what a blog is. GS
I would love to tell you that the owners and management of the Bible Superstore help make it the den of theives it is. I was an employee for the store for five years until this past November. You would be shocked if you know what kind of down right perverse and un-christian things went on in that store!!! Feel free to contact me if you would like to know more-Adrien
larrarte34@hotmail.com
Your article is stupid. Jesus cleared the Temple...which is a place of worship. The "problem" he had with the presence of "those buying and selling" was not based on the fact that they were making money, but the fact that they would be so brazen as to do so in the Temple Courts...the Court of the Gentiles precisely. Jesus was a zealous lover of the House of God and all people. I would calm down unless you plan on laying a "cornerstone in Zion" at the corner of Horsetooth and College. It grieves me that non-Christians would read this as you help them develop an even greater sense of the fact that Christians are generally biblically illiterate and care more for their own personal causes than for the mind and heart of God for people.
Be mindful that you will have to answer for your words.
There are some people who try to share Christ through a demonstration of love, supporting the local church, loving their neighbors, following God’s direction in their life. Then there are people who seem to be more interested in taking anything that they can and seem to believe that it is someone else’s responsibility to provide for them. Good luck in telling the gas station owner that they should give you free gas for the kingdom of God.
Selling a Bible or other items with God’s name on them is not some type of sin. Where as saying things that are intended to hurt rather than lift up may be.
this is david, a fellow christian and participant in the emergent movement...
i really understand your frustration that you have about the consumerism among christians. It seems that popular christianity mirrors the culture that we now struggle against daily, but i also believe that this blog is a bit extreme. God gives people the gifts of writing and musical talent to reach people, and to say that their talent is mediocre is a slap in God's face. he made those people with those gifts to share with others for encouragment, and just because you dont like the music doesnt mean that it is bad. I also saw that you said a lot about giving money to the homeless and not buying bibles, and that we should "give up all we have, do not store treasure on earth" but do you follow this like you ask others to? Have you ever bought a book by a christian author, or ever bought a CD from a christian artist? Or have you ever bought a cd or book, cause that would be contributing to the consumerism you are tlaking about. Im sur eyou wrote this blog from a computer that you, your parents, or a friend owns. Im sure you have a cell phone in your pocket. And for that matter, the clothes that you are wearing now, are they your only ones? do you have a car? a digital camera? anything that is not absolutely essential to life? if you do, you should think about giving it all away, thats what jesus says after all, isnt it? Listen, im not here to argue, but i just think this is a bit extreme. As a part of the emergent movement/conversation/whatever you want to call it, shoudlnt you be inviting others into what you are doing, not bashing like the certain people that the emergent movement wants to stray from?. I would really love your feedback on what i am saying, so heres my email address. write back soon. dmichael86@msn.com
I'm in Colorado for a visit and came accross your blog. The prices may be high , however is that the fault of store owners? I live in Canada and know how hard it is for Christian Book stores to make a living.In fact many are closing.Those still around do everything they can to help me and still make a living.What I presume you are saying is "don't buy books" feed the poor instead" are you suggesting that those who buy books don't help the poor? Christians are not stupid. If they don't like the prices they don't have to buy. They can order books on the internet. Why not put your efforts into something better that attacking book stores. Stop killing our own with friendly fire and being so self righteous. By the way How much do you give personally to help the poor?
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