"We want you to know that the authors of books marked Read with Discernment may have espoused thoughts, ideas, or concepts that could be considered inconsistent with historical evangelical theology. However, we are making these titles available to our customers... because we believe the books do present content that is relevant and of value to Christians and/or because pastors, seminary students, and other ministry leaders need access to this type of material, strictly for critical study or research to help them understand and develop responses to the diversity of religious thought in today's postmodern world. Our prayer for you is that in whatever you read, you place the material under the magnifying glass of scripture and read with discernment."At the moment, they have only attached this warning to the following authors: William Young (author of The Shack), Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, and Donald Miller. Lifeway has even offered short briefings on each of the selected authors to offer a little discernment, outline some of their concerns over the book, and try to help guide prospective readers as to what to watch out for if they decide to read one of the titles.
My wife, Misha, being her insightful self, offered the following legitimate question: "If Lifeway feels like these books could be harmful to the Christian community, why sell them in the first place?" I completely agree. Though I understand Lifeway's reasoning for offering these books to student and pastors for critical study or research and am even excited that such an innovation has come about, I believe that books like Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis, William Young's The Shack, and most (if not all) of Brian McLaren's numerous titles would be better kept off the shelves of the Christian bookstore. What do you think?
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