Thomas Nelson sinks to a new low

Coming out of the rock'n'roll world as I do, I am aware that nothing sells like controversy. Hollywood and Madison Avenue are keenly aware of this fact and they are perfectly willing to market something that is reprehensible because the outcry by offended people will provide the type of exposure and publicity that the seller/promoter could never buy or manufacture. So, it is with a circumspect caution that I even mention Align. I don't want to give it undue publicity, but I also must speak out against this latest in a seemingly unending stream of detestable products being foisted on the "christian" church.

This is the cover of the new "Align" magazine offered by Thomas Nelson Publishing, one of the largest Bible publishers in the world. Although you can barely see it, the title line across the top informs us that it includes "The Complete New Testament for Men."

For men? Do men need a different New Testament than women? Did the First Century writers give us alternate versions of their epistles according to gender?

Align is what TNP calls a "BibleZine." In other words, it's a Bible disguised as a magazine. It includes the New Century Version of the Bible (which is basically a version created for children --- causing me to wonder about TNP's opinion of the general intellect of men). But, what makes it magazine-like is that it also includes articles geared toward men. Like, for instance, "Sexcess: Success With The Opposite Sex!"

Looking at the cover, you'll notice that the word "Sexcess" is actually printed larger than any reference to the Bible or New Testament. The fact that a version of the Scripture is included in these pages is practically overshadowed by headlines like, "Top Ten Lists For Getting Ahead," or "Got Gadgets?" If you left this "BibleZine" sitting on your coffee table, you'd never have to be embarrassed that friends and relatives might drop by and discover that you're reading the Bible. They'll just think you're reading .... ummmm .... Playboy.

Is this really what is required in order to get men to read their Bible? I mean, isn't the text of Scripture sufficient to attract God's people? Do we also need to offer them "Tech-Savvy Ideas"? And, given the carnal nature of human beings, is it necessary to print the word "sex" on the front of a Bible in order to make it more attractive?

Friends, the church-world has hit a new low. I honestly, genuinely hope that this venture is a crashing failure for TNP. They deserve to be boycotted for dragging the sacred Scripture down into the cesspool of carnality. And how do they attempt to justify themselves? They write:

============================================================

"Ever wish your Bible was as easy to pick up as your favorite magazine? Now there’s a new BibleZine™ created with today’s modern guy in mind. With an edgy, techo-savvy style and content that makes Biblical truth fresh and relevant, it might just make Bible reading the best part of your day. By putting one of the most readable versions of the Bible, the New Century Version®, together with articles about the topics you face everyday, we’ve created a ‘zine that will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith."

See For Yourself

============================================================

Apparently God is neither sovereign enough nor attractive enough to bring people to Himself without adding "an edgy, techno-savvy style." Poor God. He's just not hip anymore. But, fortunately for Him, the trend-setters at Thomas Nelson are here to give His Word the make-over it needs to make it relevant to the current crop of "Purpose Driven," success-minded, worldly church-going males that populate the contemporary mega-church movement.

Ugh.

By contrast, I was in Lexington two years ago, attending a dinner for ministers and their families. David Morris's son, Seth, was helping me cart my stuff around. He was maybe 6 at the time. I placed my Bible on the table and placed my camera on top of it. Seth froze and stared at me like I had just broken a rule. He said, "We're not allowed to put anything on our Bibles." And he was right! I immediately removed the camera and, to this day, I cannot bring myself to set anything on any one of my Bibles without hearing Seth's perfect admonition.

Seth reminded me of a vital priority: respect for God's Word. These are the words of life that have the power to convert men from darkness to light; from damnation to eternal life. These are the words that explain God's grace, His holy nature, our marvelous salvation in the finished work of His Son, and the peace that passes understanding. God's Word deserves our utmost reverence, love, commitment and respect.

And it never deserves to be reduced to a "BibleZine."

Here, try this. Get your Bible and a Sharpie pen. Okay, ready? Now scrawl the word "sex" across the front of it. Are you comfortable doing that? No, of course not. Something in us knows intrinsically that it would be sacrilege. And the Spirit of God within us ought to convict us that such an action would make a mockery of God's Word by using His sacred text as a platform for our carnality. At best, it would be rebellious; at worst, blasphemy.

Yet, that is exactly what Thomas Nelson has done.

Perhaps the most hypocritical part of TNP's new offering is that the cover of Align boasts, "Centering Your Priorities." But, if you are confused enough to even buy a copy of this travesty, your priorities are already decidedly messed up. And Align BibleZine is not going to help.

Note to Thomas Nelson Publishers: Get your head out of the gutter and learn proper respect for God's Word.

Note to readers: Please do not support TNP until they pull this product from the market and make a public apology to Christians everywhere for assuming this was a good idea.

By the way, I became aware of Align BibleZine while reading James White's blog. He chose the two perfect Bible verses with which to respond:

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

"...but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

I would only add:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things." (Phil. 4:8-9)

And that does NOT include "sexcess" or "techno-savvy" ideas.

<<<>>>>>