On Bible Bookstores

Since we’re coming up on Memorial Day, take time to say thanks to a vet for being willing to keep America free. Freedom isn’t free by any stretch. Also take time to thank God Almighty for living in a free country, and pray for America. She needs all the prayers she can get right now.

I’m not going to comment on the idiocy regarding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at this point in time. Suffice it to say that I’m hideously disappointed, as a Vet, that this is even being rammed through-and down-the throats of America’s fighting men and women.  

No, today I’m remembering something else. 

This morning, I was wandering around one of the last remaining Christian bookstores in the local area. (I went to where one had been in West Eugene yesterday, only to discover it was long gone.) I was looking for a few books that might help me in my dissertation work. 

No such luck. (I’m not surprised. I suspected this would be the case as I’m looking for some pretty specialized, denominational type books, not just general stuff.) 

But it also got me to thinking about the demise of bookstores in general, and the Bible Bookstore in particular. You remember Bible Bookstores, don’t you?

When I first became a Christian, they were somewhat more numerous. They carried a little music (the bigger ones actually had a music section), reference tools, some rather predictable novels and books by well known preachers, church supplies, gospel tracts, VBS materials, hymnals for general use, Bible studies, and Bibles. In those days, your choice was the King James, the Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard, and maybe the New International Version. (They also carried the most amazing amount of junk with a Jesus sticker slapped on it.) 

Then there was a sort of Christian publishing revolution. Christian self-help, Christian novels and fiction, and so forth sprung forth. Reference tools started disappearing. The music sections got larger (and the music got better). Study Bibles started exploding out of nowhere. VHS tapes started showing up, and even the junk with Jesus stickers got better. Christian publishers got bought by mainstream publishers, as did Christian recording labels. And that’s when they became a bigger business, quit being Bible Bookstores, and became Christian bookstores.

Then something odd happened. Bible studies started going the way of the reference tools. The same can be said of gospel tracts. The music started changing, keeping more “modern” sounds. (Some of which I like, some I don’t.) VHS tapes were replaced by DVD’s, and the stories keep getting better, as do the production values. (Actually, that’s A Good Thing.) There are Christian computer programs that have reference and study helps. Christian Fiction has taken over, most of it geared to women. Christian self help is pretty good sized, too. Some stores even look like Christian gift boutiques. This is no great surprise; I asked the young lady behind the counter about a year ago about this and her reply was “basically, women do most of the reading and shopping in these stores anymore.” Of course they do...most men aren’t comfortable going into a place with a more feminine touch. 

Here’s a clue, kids--most men I know don’t wear scarves (Christian or otherwise), and would like a t-shirt that fits them. You know, like in sizes XL or bigger. Even I take an XL, and “tall” or “stout” are not terms used to describe me terribly often. And when all the books for men are clumped together with books on finances, on one rack (one rack=four shelves), you kind of get the picture that men have become something of an afterthought. 

You want study Bibles? They have them in very flavor going, in more translations than I think is safe. In fact, I saw two Bibles today that made me feel like I can die now because I’ve seen it all: The “American Patriot’s Bible” and a waterproof NIV. (“Perfect for beach/pool, bathtub, missions, vacations, sports.”) Somehow, spending time in the shower with the Word of God seems wrong to me. I understand His Word cleanses us...but I don’t think that’s quite what He meant. (On the other hand, I can see a use for this in a baptismal service.) 

Now I know that there’s lots of reference tools online. (Studylight.org is a great example of that.) And I know that a lot of books can be bought online from places like eBay, Amazon, CBD and Cokesbury. Ultimately, I will end up going that route.  

But there was something...different...about those stores. Not that they were holy, but there was a sense of being about the Father’s business (or at least, being in His Presence) when you walked in. These places were calm, almost tranquil. (I remember one in Concord; it felt like God had His Presence there. Since it was two doors down from the local porn theatre, He probably did.)   

Enough for Now.

On Spring Football and why it's odd to me

I went to the Spring football game for Oregon today. Since they were honoring vets, and since the barbershop chorus I sing in was singing the “Armed Forces Medley” at the half, I actually needed to go. A class touch: at the end of the game, the players gave their game jerseys to some deserving vets. I felt that much was classy, as was honoring the vets at the half.

But there’s something I don’t get: Why is there a football game in the spring?

Now, I’m not that dumb. I understand why there are spring college football games. I understand that the NCAA allows so many practice sessions in the spring, under the thinly veiled guise of the players being “student-athletes.” I understand the concept of having a simulated game, to see how players are progressing. And I understand opening said game to the throngs of football fans (25,000 plus turned out today!), even for just a few cans of food for Food of Lane County, is a PR thing.

I even understand that it’s a big marketing thing. People will be buying season tickets soon, if they aren’t already.

But that doesn’t really answer my question: Why is there a football game in the spring? The way they do this, is that it is a “medium contact” game, with limited hits to the QB, no sacks, shorter quarters (although I understand that was for the ESPN folks), and a chance to see that Oregon’s kickers need some work. (Actually, they need a lot of work.)

So why bother? It’s not that I’m not in favor of the Ducks; I am. It’s not that I don’t like football; although I have been heard to utter the immortal words of Dr. Harry L. Dinkle, The World’s Greatest Band Director: “Football fields are for band practice!” It’s not even that I think it’s silly to play a football game in the middle of baseball season--although to me it is, really.

I guess it’s that, if they are going to make this like a real game, then let’s really do it right. Let ‘em play like they were playing a real opponent, like say, OSU or UW. Play 15 minute quarters. Get real refs on the field, and not an ESPN commentator in a zebra suit. Sell tickets for $5 or $10. (Food donations should still be allowed, and in fact, made mandatory.) Let them sack the QB at least once a quarter. Heck, make them play at night under the lights. In short: Let ‘em play under real life conditions, and quit wasting their time.

Otherwise, this is just a glorified practice, and really doesn't prove much at all.

Enough for now.