Adam McLane

escaping pragmatism

I was just checking out a catalogue for Christian books when it hit me. Probably 99% of the books on the market in the Christian genre could be labeled either self help or reference. Sure, there is a small section for Christian fiction, and a few pages for kids books… but the vast majority of the stuff for sale is geared towards help and advice.

Let’s look at the top #10 hard covers in the Christian section. Purpose Driven Life, Captivating, Wild at Heart, Your Best Life Now… on and on. All but 1 are self-help!

Pragmatism: A practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching or assessing situations or of solving problems.

It leaves me wondering, "Is this how people look at Christianity?" Are we to demean what Christ did for us to Dr. Phil style of salvation?

Jesus didn’t come to counsel you. Or help you have purpose. Or to Captivate you. Or to help you explore your inner man… or even to have your best life now. He said, "I have come that you might have life and have it to the full." John says he came to "seek and save the lost." But fix all your problems and help you pursue the American dream?

I wrestle with that thought. Did Jesus die merely so that I could be comfortable? Or is that just what we’ve reduced him to?

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Adam McLane

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5 responses to “escaping pragmatism”

  1. Hank Avatar
    Hank

    Great insight as to the state of Christian books. Oprah is not Jesus. And neither is Dr. Phil.

    Reply
  2. Autumn Brinker Avatar
    Autumn Brinker

    I understand what you are saying, but are you also saying that those are bad books? I mean, they are the top ten for a reason, right?

    Reply
  3. adam Avatar
    adam

    I am not saying they are bad. Bigger than that I am asking “why are they ‘good’ to people?”

    Bigger than the next self-help fix should be JESUS. Reminds me of a song, “All of you, is more than enough for all of me, you satisfy me…”

    It’s merely an obeservation of what “popular Christianity” has come to… “What’s in it for me?”

    Reply
  4. Jonathan Avatar
    Jonathan

    Actually, I’ll argue that some of those books are bad – bad theologically.

    Seriously, research the theology of guys like Osteen and see what their core beliefs truly are (hint – it’s not the historic orthodox Christian faith he’s espousing!).

    Reply
  5. Jen Zug Avatar
    Jen Zug

    A lot of self-help books start from the premise that we have a right to be happy, which is not a
    Biblical premise at all. Rather, we have a duty to lay down our life and take up the cross, even in the midst of s**t hitting the proverbial fan.

    I found a series of books geared toward teenage girls that has really intrigued me. Each character (Caitlin, Chloe, & Kim) has her own series, but their stories intertwine.

    They are intriguing to me because they don’t shy away from the real issues that teenagers are faced with, and because they are in diary form they possess some of the drama and angst that girls identify with.

    I’ve been following your blog for a little while now and I thought you could use a little help!

    You should check them out. I wrote a review on my website if you want to learn more: http://www.thispile.com/archives/finally-a-teen-book-series-for-the-rest-of-us#

    Reply

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