I can’t tell you how many popular books I have that I’ve read, never read, and will never reread.
Popular Christian books are those that make the New York Times Bestseller list. They are often written by people like Max Lucado, John Eldredge, Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Philip Yancey, Charles Stanley, et al.
~ They Make for Lovely Decorations ~
Though we see each other quite often, I don’t think we like each other that much. We’ve grown apart.
In fact, I think my nerves will be at peace when they leave.
I know what you mean TC, though I tend to like Yancey.
Amen to that! I’ve never read Jakes, Eldredge, or Osteen, and I likely never will. I read one Lucado book and one Yancey book years ago and that will suffice, though Yancey is a little more interesting than some. I barely have time to do my review reading and with seminary starting up again in January, I’ll really have to be particular about reading.
I hear ya!
Brian,
Yancey does tend to be good. Perhaps I should reconsider him.
Jason,
I’ve never read Jakes or Osteen, though I encountered them. Lucado can be good at times.
George,
Too much fluff.
Other than popular apologetics type books I tend to stay away from them. I can understand how you’ve gotten sick of them though.
So you gonna do a Christmas pop book giveaway or something?
I definitely know what you’re saying, although I’d second the comments above about Yancey being better than most. I still get a lot from him.
I find the older I get and the more Scripture I study, the less the thoughts of other folk matter. However, one must always stay open to those who know more than oneself (many, many do know more). but most books are not worth the bother. Of the making of books there is no end – yet, I too consistently look to increasing their number. Popular books are generally not something I will enjoy – I find them “playing in the shallow end of the pool,” and that, of course, is to appeal to the masses. It is sad that most of us do not grow beyond them.
Christian publishing is big business in America. Part of the tregedy is that truly helpful books, accessible to the lay reader, get buried in the snow of lots and lots of tripe. It would be good to generate a short list of what is valuable and focus the community on the jewels.
I don’t get caught up in them much, either. At the risk of sounding pious, I’ve simply neglected the Bible for far too long. So, I’ve been doing my best to make up for lost time.
I DO make room for two devotionals, the classic “My Utmost For His Highest”, and Holman’s “One Minute Bible-a 90 day journey for new Christians”. On the one hand, I am constantly re-inforcing the basics, and with Chambers, trying to get past the ‘milk’ to the meat of things.
Victor,
The Bible along with some solid reference and source material – now that’s a winner!
I am going to come down in the middle on these “popular” books. As I have stated before I read the Bible very passively for ten years. It wasn’t until this past September that I dived into really studying Scripture.
During my decade of passive Bible reading I have to say that various books by Jakes, Ortberg, Stanley and a few others were very beneficial to me. They helped me look at the Bible in a different way, however I was still being passive!!
I noticed about a year ago that these books were all of a sudden not doing anything anymore. God wanted more from me!! He wanted me to dive in as it were.
So now that I have started my journey into the Scriptures I don’t see myself really going back to the so-called popular books.
However, I don’t think they are necessarily bad. If they serve to gently nudge someone in a direction towards really reading and studying the Scriptures then that can’t be such a bad thing can it?
Nick,
They’ve proven to be too much fluff, man. I did consider a giveaway, but who wants so much fluff stuff?
Tim,
I guess I should stratch Yancey off that list.
I find them “playing in the shallow end of the pool,” and that, of course, is to appeal to the masses. It is sad that most of us do not grow beyond them.
Iris,
You share my very sentiments on these books.
Kyle,
I hear you. I guess it’s too much about the $$$.
I am really much the same. Now and then I will pick up a Charles Stanley book and read it, otherwise I can’t tell you the last “popular” Christian book I’ve read. I do read MacArthur, Sproul, White, and folks like that but I do not consider them “popular”. Usually you will find me reading history or reformed theology.
Martin
Martin,
I know what you mean. I wouldn’t categorize all of MacArthur, Sproul, and White as such.
But you can’t go wrong with history and Reformed theology.
Yea, one can only take so many of these baptized pop psychology type books.
John,
Nice way of putting things.
Tomg,
This post of mine was precisely from my perspective. It was never meant to be for others. I’m sure some of these books have blessed and continue to bless many, to the glory of God.
I do understand what you mean.
Hey T.C.R.!
I didn’t mean my response to be critical. I realized I didn’t finish my thought. (I really need to work on my blogging chops
)
What I meant to add was that at some point anyone (like myself) would probably have to “graduate” if you will from making these popular type books be their main diet. Kind of like going from Gerbers to Solid Food, if you will.
And then when someone does move up to solid food and they every once in awhile want to eat some comfort food then that is okay.
So in essence I was agreeing with you, I just noticed that no one had mentioned how these books could be a blessing to certain people at certain times.
I am going to keep working on my blogging chops. Sometimes I get it all out correctly and sometimes I don’t.
Tomg,
No probs. Yes, your “Gerber” analogy got pretty much summed up my journey as well.
You’re fine.