Where have all the good book reviews gone? The advent of the internet has brought us shorter concentration spans and thus shorter book reviews. Whereas a quality critique of a published Christian book used to constitute a veritable book in itself, online book reviews have caused the book review to be short, shallow and devoid of much real thought.
That is not the only effect the internet has had. Christians today seem to love the easy-fix type Christian books that are available at a dime a dozen from every Christian book store. Reading a hefty theological tome seems to have gone from Christian life. This is why we need Christians not only to read spiritual books, but promote them in their churches, fellowships and circles of friends. Word of mouth is important in establishing credible reading material, and where better to do that than on the internet?
Unfortunately, Christians don't seem to be very good at collecting their thoughts together enough to write a quality book review that will be read and critiqued by ones' peers. There seems to be no inclination to recommend good literature, and to help the seekers' amongst us find the right Christian books. Christian book reviews are thus exceptionally important for the discerning Christian. The Christian book reviewer not only encapsulates how the book was of spiritual and intellectual benefit to them, but encourages debate and dialogue through their critique. Even Christian authors are able to get in on the act, and find material to use (or even discard!) when writing books.
Although the internet has made it easier to find and source Christian books from all over the world, it has caused a general downturn in discernment, as we pick up all the glossy Christian books and discard the real spiritual gems which we used to lay such store by. Regardless of our own personal tastes, the Christian book reader must think more about the material they are purchasing and even the authors they are supporting. So many publishing houses are going out of print today because they lack the know-how to touch the people they wish to in the Digital Age.
As we have intimated before, the quality of book reviews has decreased as the internet takes over more of our lives. We are becoming too accustomed to the "text" language of today; short, terse statements and abbreviations that mean little and convey nothing at all! Perhaps literary competency has decreased, but Christian books reviewers have definitely fallen short of the mark. In many cases so little is actually conveyed that no real debate or interest is stimulated. In general people seem to find it easier to agree on the web than disagree. Defending ones' position usually requires in-depth dialogue which the vast majority of Christian reviewers tend to avoid. Small wonder, then, that we do not possess the tools to defend our faith, much less promote it. In some ways we have become intellectually bankrupt.
Let's hope that Christians take stock of the detrimental effect blogging, surfing and texting is having on their abilities to discern, critique and review literature, commentaries and all other Christian material, and that each one will become a Christian book reviewer!
Christian Books Reviewer
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