Lack of communication

On April 21, 2007, the article "Hidden from View" was published on Christian Research Service's website. In an attempt to inform the SBC about the ongoing issue, a brief introduction and link to the article was sent to approximately 193 individuals within the Southern Baptist Convention--including the president of the SBC, state conventions, SBC theological seminary officials, and individuals within the SBC's North American Mission Board Cultural Evangelism Division.

As of this writing, only one official has replied--a seminary president.

The message is loud and clear: there is a tremendous need for education and discernment within the Christian bookstore industry. There are authors--whose false teachings are just as cunning, manipulative, and horrendous as cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism--occupying the shelves and online cyber-shelves of Christian bookstores. 

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Intentional or unintentional?

While the sincere study of God's word to gain discernment is primary, Mike Oppenheimer shares an additional problem within many Christian bookstores:

Christian columnist, Paul Proctor, echoes Mike Oppenheimer's concerns with:

In her article, "Trinkets or truth," Lynn Vincent quoted the Christian Booksellers Association president, Bill Anderson stating that:

Note that Lynn Vincent's article was written in 1996. Fast-forward eleven years later to 2007 and we find that books running "counter to Scripture" are being carried intentionally. By doing so, Jesus Christ is being dishonored. Consequently, the Christian bookstore industry is not only suffering from an acute case of compromise, it has invited judgement from God.

For the time being, while excuses disguised in compromise may serve to preserve positions, pay checks, and keep the doors to Christian bookstores open, the day is rapidly approaching when at Jesus' glorious return there will be no more excuses.

Artful dodgers 

But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you (Galatians 2:4-5).

Although sincere Christians exist within the Christian bookstore industry, the industry is teeming with many shrewd individuals, who are skilled in the art of compromise, damage-control, and spin doctoring. They cause the innocent to stumble. They pay lip-service to Jesus Christ, but their hearts are far from Him (Matthew 18:7; Matthew 15:7-9). Instead of humbling themselves in prayer and repentance, they allow money, power, and prestige to take priority in their lives.

They are artful dodgers, whose hearts have turned cold to Jesus Christ and the truth of His word. Good is bad and bad is good. Poison is sweet and sugar is bitter. To them, Christianity is a 9 to 5 job, where the financial bottom line takes priority over the authority of God's word and the welfare of the body of Christ. When exposed, they scurry around searching for dark places to hide. Their is no conviction of sin, no repentance, no apologies; just excuses.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)

Judgement is coming. In the meantime, what the Christian bookstore industry needs is bold and courageous Christians; Christians, whose hearts are not corrupted by the things of this world; Christians, who refuse to compromise in the midst of their peers and the powers-that-be; Christians, who are willing to sacrifice everything for the One Who sacrificed everything for them.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13).

Strange irony

It is important to note that when LifeWay employees were asked if books authored by Anton LaVey could be ordered, the answer was, No, he is not in our system (which means that Anton LaVey is not in LifeWay's database, and therefore cannot be ordered online through LifeWay's walk-in bookstores).

LaVey, of course, authored The Satanic Bible.

But books authored by false prophets, heretics, and pro-homosexuals can be ordered. How strangely ironic. If one non-Christian author cannot be found within LifeWay's "system" database, why not others? After all, The Satanic Bible is available from CD Gospel.Net, Cokesbury, and HarperCollins Publishers  (parent company of Zondervan Publishers).

Hardened hearts

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

This year, after a variety of X-rated materials were found within an online Christian bookstore, the website owner explained he was "absolutely mortified," and that "As Christians it's our responsibility to protect people from that sort of thing" (refer to "X-rated Christian store's troubles traced to Amazon").

The owner also explained that "...if a permanent solution isn't available, he'll shut it down" (Ibid.).

The owner was more concerned with the mental, physical, and spiritual welfare of his customers than making a buck. He kept his word. The website disappeared. Good for him. Praise the Lord!

While character, honor, and integrity are meaningful to some, quite frankly, others seem to care less. To them, repentance is a thing of the past. There is no conviction. Their hearts have been hardened by sin. And sin is the life's blood of a hardened heart (Matthew 24:12).

A final word...

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). 

Those who truly love Jesus Christ carry deep within their hearts a flame that cannot be extinguished; a flame that ignites righteous indignation in the midst of compromise and deception; a flame that encourages Christians to stand fast in the midst of persecution and hardship; a flame that is a rock in the shoe to wolves in sheep's clothing; a flame that convicts Christians of sin and drives them to their knees in repentance; a flame that eagerly awaits the return of the only King of kings and Lord of lords.