There’s a big Christian Book Expo being held in Dallas, Texas next week. Oddly, as a Christian author, I have not been invited.
As we have pointed out on this site before, the word “Christian” has apparently come to mean a very narrow definition of Christian – mainly religious right Christians (who by the way, no longer wish to be known as “the religious right” because, well, that’s just makes them seem mean and narrow). This narrow usage of the word “Christian” to describe only more conservative Christians is rife throughout the media with an example from the Associated Press on Friday. The headline proclaimed: Christians optimistic but disappointed in Obama. The lead, however, makes a distinction:
Conservative evangelical and Catholic leaders who went out on a political limb by aligning themselves with the Obama administration are expressing feelings ranging from disappointment to optimism in their reaction to the president’s decisions so far on culture war issues.
The Christians authors who will attend the Christian Book Expo in Dallas are of the kind found in this lead. Just a gander at some of the workshops reveals the tenor of the entire event:
American Patriots in Prayer – David Hamer During these perilous moments of American history, Author and Evangelist David Hamer delivers a compelling message unites American Christians in vibrant corporate prayer. David proclaims, “Only prayer can obtain God’s miraculous intervention to initiate a cultural reformation, rebuild our nation’s eroded Christian foundations and restore judicial sanity to end the massacre of unborn children. Nothing less than a national spiritual awakening is sufficient and nothing but a sweeping movement of prayer in God’s church can secure it.” If American patriots unite in prayer, God will grant us the rebirth of One Nation under God.
Secrets Behind Closed Doors – David Ray
How do you answer a church goer with a terrible secret? More common than you may realize are those in church struggling with homosexuality, pornography, affairs, addiction, dementia, answers about assisted suicide, or an unplanned pregnancy. David Ray shares practical advice drawing on his experience as a minister, straight from his new book.
Church History on End Times – Todd Perla
Earlier church leaders spoke the truth about the Rapture, Antichrist, and the Church, but are we getting the right message today? Find out why you should prepare for the end times, and practically how to do so.
Other workshop topics include evolution vs. intelligent design, and a biblical path to building wealth. Every workshop is geared to those on the religious right or leaning to the right. It’s interesting that such an obvious agenda goes against the stated intention of the sponsors of the show:
Christian Book Expo, LLC, a company of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and will showcase authors and books representing a broad variety of genres, denominations, Christian traditions, ethnicities and political viewpoints.
Perhaps my invitation just got lost in the mail.
