What Christian Bookstores Are Selling!
Compiled by Bud Press, 1/04



DITC Note: Following are a number of emails detailing research Bud Press has been doing into what some Christian bookstores are selling these days.  Apparently it has gone way beyond heresy and crossed over into promotion of the homosexual agenda, the New Age and occult.

January 22, 2004

Dear Friends:

I am currently researching the infiltration of New Age authors and books into online Christian bookstores.

As an example, Spread The Word Ministries online bookstore is advertised as "The World's largest inventory of Christian resources." Yet, they make available a wide variety of books by Word-Faith and New Age authors ( http://www.spreadtheword.com/store/comersus_index.asp ; enter author's name in search window).

They even carry the book, An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism by Raymond Brady Williams.

Uh, am I missing something here? Am I just too old fashion? Or, am I just sick-and-tired of compromise?

Folks, we're not talking about apologetics and books providing an objective, Christian viewpoint on Jesus Christ. We're talking about flat-out heresy and New Age at the core!

Therefore, I would appreciate a current list of popular New Age authors which, in turn, will be researched, then provided to numerous online Christian bookstores that promote New Age books.

So, what's the bottom line? Online Christian bookstores need to be informed about the non-Christian materials they are promoting. Once they are informed, they need to be encouraged to consider the removal of New Age books, as well as books promoting the Word-Faith movement. And, if they say, "Take a hike!" or "Stop attacking Benny Hinn!" or "There's nothing wrong with the New Age movement!" they need to be held accountable and exposed publicly--nationwide--to the body of Christ.

Non-Christian materials in walk-in Christian bookstores have been a "thorn" in my side since the mid-1980's. Now, with the tree-worshipping, outer-spaced garbage being promoted within online Christian bookstores, that thorn has expanded to the size of a 2x4 (so to say).

Finally, I know everyone is busy these days. But I would really appreciate your assistance. And, if I don't hear from you soon, I'll call Benny Hinn and have him use his breath to melt the tires on your automobile... :)

Thanks, and God bless. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press
fearless5199@yahoo.com


[Written for Christianity.com, by Bud Press, January 27, 2004]

I appreciate your replies to my post titled, "Question: If You Owned A Christian Bookstore," and would appreciate feedback on the following as well.

Walk-In Christian Bookstores

While many of us are aware of non-Christian materials displayed and sold in many, but not all Christian bookstores, I have encountered my share of Christians who were not educated well enough to discern heretical, cultic or New Age books--including bookstore managers and owners.

Working at a Christian bookstore--whether owner, manager or employee--isn't the same as working at Burger-In-An-Instant or the Super-Duper Discount Store. It's a tremendous responsibility, and should be taken seriously.

Years ago, while living in another state, I vividly recall interesting situations with two Christian bookstores. While both stores were owned by Christians, one was visited frequently by Mormon missionaries, of whom were allowed to display free information about the Mormon Church. Also, the owner allowed the missionaries to "witness" to Christians during certain times of the day.

When I realized what was going on, I made an appointment with the bookstore owner and provided him with hard-copy documentation on what the Mormon Church really teaches.

The owner was shocked, embarrassed and ashamed. He wasted no time in removing the cult-laden materials. He wanted to ban the missionaries from his store. Instead, I asked to be contacted when the missionaries paid their visits, of which he agreed.

It only took a few days for the missionaries to change their schedules. In the meantime, I took advantage of a marvelous witnessing opportunity, and shared the real Jesus with up to four Mormon missionaries at one time.

And I assure you it was a wing-dinger!

A few weeks later, the bookstore owner called and asked that I visit his store. Once there, he quickly ushered me into his new section on "Non-Christian Cults," where a variety of counter-cult books and "Free Tracts" were displayed. It was an emotional experience for the both of us, as we softly praised the Lord.

Prior to leaving the store, the owner asked, "Bud, do you know anything about the New Age Movement?" I looked at him and smiled, then said, "I'll be back in about an hour."

The owner of the second Christian bookstore was as sharp as a tack, so to say, and had a special room set aside strictly for research purposes. He required his employees to be well-grounded in Scripture and apologetics. Moreover, no one entered the research room without prior approval. First and foremost, the owner recognized his responsibility to uphold the truth of God's word. Next, he held himself and his employees accountable to the body of Christ. To him, there was no excuse.

In other words, if you're the owner, manager or employee of a Christian bookstore, you are there to serve Jesus Christ--without compromise.

On-Line Christian Bookstores

Generally, walk-in Christian bookstores do not handle the volume of books and materials offered by on-line Christian bookstores. However, the responsibility and accountability--from owner to employee to the body of Christ--should be the same.

Yet, currently, some on-line Christian bookstores are a dismal failure in the responsibility department, and go so far as to provide a disclaimer (or pitiful excuse), as to why they carry contradictory books and materials.

For example, one bookstore states: "...we sometimes carry products that contradict each other. It is this kind of diversity in selection that has become a trademark of our company. We don't want to become a theological or social 'censor' of the books we carry, but we also try to remain selective" (emp. mine).

They do, however, allow for customer complaints which, apparently, have occurred in the past (hence, the disclaimer). Yet, during a recent check, this particular on-line Christian bookstore provides a wide variety of heretical, cultic and New Age authors and books, such as:

> Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer and numerous Word-Faithers and Faithettes.

> Mary Baker Eddy's Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (Christian Science), and Joseph Smith: Selected Sermons and Writings (Mormonism; cults).

> M. Scott Peck, Jon Mundy, David Spangler, Neal Donald Walsch, Carl Jung and Marianne Williamson (New Age).

And if that isn't enough, how about books on:

> Yoga, Meditations on Zen Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism and, The Koran [Muslim scriptures].

> The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance (by Matthew Fox).

Last but not least:

> Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture and, Liberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes: Freeing Jesus from 2,000 Years of Misunderstanding (both and more by John Shelby Spong).

In Acts 13:44-48, Paul and Barnabas boldly spoke against those who were "contradicting" the truth of God's word.

Hebrews 13:9 says, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (emp. mine). Moreover, Mark 3:24-25 says if a "kingdom" or "house" is divided against itself, neither will stand.

Acts 20:28-31 instructs Christians to be alert, on guard and to keep watch over themselves and others within the body of Christ.

Christians are to have "no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" but expose them (Ephesians 5:11; KJV).

Finally, while it is extremely disturbing to find cultic, heretical and New Age materials within walk-in and on-line Christian bookstores, let's hope they rid their inventory of non-Christian materials and return to promoting and exalting Jesus Christ and the truth of His word.....alone.

All it takes is one concerned Christian to get the ball rolling. One person can make a difference.

Sincerely in Christ,

Bud Press


February 1, 2003

The following is a list of pro-gay authors and books, some of which may be found within on-line Christian bookstores. The list was retrieved from the "Books" section of ChristianGays.com where, according to the website, "All books on this website are very specifically pro-gay AND very specifically Christian" (emp. theirs).

Authors appear in alphabetical order. Descriptions on the books may be read on the ChristianGays.com website.

Researched & Compiled by Bud Press (January 31, 2004)
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Marilynn Bennett and James Preston: We Were Baptised Too

Michael E. England: The Bible And Homosexuality

Rev. Michael E. England: Free To Be Lesbian/Gay

Chris Glaser: Come Home! [Note: According to his Biography , Glaser "has been a gay Christian activist and author" for 30 years. His pro-gay books may be found within on-line Christian bookstores.]

Chris Glaser: Uncommon Calling

Chris Glaser: Coming Out To God

Joseph W. Houle (edited by): The Road To Emmaus

Rev. Louis F. Kavar, Ph.D.: Families Re-Membered

Rev. Louis F. Kavar: To Celebrate And To Mourn

Roberta Showalter Kreider (edited by): From Wounded Hearts

John J. McNeill: Both Feet Firmly Planted In Midair

Frederick L. Pattison: Homosexuality And Christian Faith

Rev. A. Stephen Pieters: I'm Still Dancing

Letha Scanzoni and Virginia Mollenkott: Is The Homosexual My Neighbor?

Jane Adams Spahr, Kathryn Poethig, Selisse Berry and Melinda V. McLain (edited by): Called Out

Dr. Rembert Truluck: Steps To Recovery from Bible Abuse

Walter Wink: Homosexuality and the Bible [booklet/pamphlet]


February 5, 2004
 
During my research into on-line Christian bookstores, I stumbled across Books For Christians at www.booksforchristians.com , a one-stop shopping mega-center for materials on: Spirit Guides, Channeling, ESP, Tarot, UFO's, Witchcraft and Wicca.
 
Gambling, Track Betting, Zen Buddhism, Lesbian Studies, books by Chris Glaser ("Christian" homosexual activist) and, you guessed it, Benny Hinn.
 
However, all is not lost. Amidst the witches, little green men from the planet Kolob, heretics and cultists, there are books devoted to "Clean Jokes."
 
If you visit this Twilight Zone-ian site, simply click-on Books in the left-hand column, and you're on your way...
 
Incredible!
Bud Press