Lifeway Christian Bookstore is Not Selling the Latest Releases by Sho Baraka, Amy Grant & Jen Hatmaker
LifeWay Christian bookstore, one of the biggest retailer in Christian products in the US, is no longer carrying the latest album by Sho Baraka. They are also not selling Amy Grant's latest Christas album released late last year, and they are also removing Jen Hatmaker's books. So, if you are looking for these products, don't bother searching for them in your local Lifeway Christian bookstore.
The reason why the retailer is not carrying Sho Baraka's latest CD The Narrative is because one of the songs mentions the word "penis." "Like any retailer, LifeWay has a responsibility not to carry resources with content our customers consider inappropriate. After receiving complaints about some language in The Narrative CD, LifeWay decided to no longer carry it," said Carol Pipes, communications director for LifeWay.
Although the Southern Baptist retailer once praised the album for its content because it conveys a "Gospel worldview," they stopped carrying the album after receiving complaints about the language in the final song, "Piano Break, 33 A.D." where Baraka speaks of his past life:
"I was an insecure boy who just thought he was a genius
But always pissed off, that's because I thought with my penis
It's all strategic, I'm just asking us the reason
Share my faith on the track, I'm just exorcising demons."
But Sho Baraka is not the only artist who have been sidelined by the bookstore. Veteran artist Amy Grant, who has had #1 Christian hits like "El Shaddai" and "Hope Set High," will also not see her latest Christmas album Tennessee Christmas in stores. Manager Jennifer Cooke said in an opinion piece for the Washington Post that LifeWay's decided not to carry the title because there was not enough Christian content on the disc. Other than two traditional carols, the festive record contains secular songs.
Meanwhile, writer Jen Hatmaker's 650-word Facebook message, saying that she has decided to affirm same-sex relationships has led LifeWay Christian Resources to pull her books from its stores. The bestselling author said she still loves the readers "who are angry or shocked or confused" by her news, and reminded followers on both sides of the issue that the LGBT community is paying attention to their response.
The Southern Baptist chain stated Thursday that the author's statements "contradict LifeWay's doctrinal guidelines," and it has discontinued selling her books in its 185 stores or online. Spokesman Marty King said: "In the past, LifeWay Christian Resources published several resources with Jen Hatmaker. In a recent interview, she voiced significant changes in her theology of human sexuality and the meaning and definition of marriage-changes which contradict LifeWay's doctrinal guidelines."
Tags : lifeway Christian bookstore sho baraka Amy Grant jen hatmaker books banned by lifeway christian bookstore
Hot Trends
-
Former Avalon Singer Michael Passons Says He Was Let Go Because of His Sexuality
-
Fernando Ortega Talks Exclusively About His New EP "For All The Saints"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Owen Rivera Shares his New Christmas Song & Video
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Darlene Zschech's "Yes Again"
-
HAUSER Releases Deluxe Holiday Album "Christmas"
-
Hillsong's First Worship Pastor Geoff Bullock Opens Up in New Hillsong Documentary
-
Prince Covers Nicole Nordeman's "What If" (Listen Here)
-
FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD: The Gospel Coalition's New Album "Holding Fast: Songs of Grace for Rebel Hearts"
-
REVERE Revisits Stuart Townend's "How Deep the Father's Love for Us"
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Fernando Ortega “Crucifixion of Jesus” Album Review
-
Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes Are Married
-
Phil Wickham Celebrates His 15th Wedding Anniversary with "Just Too Good"
Most Popular
-
Former Avalon Singer Michael Passons Says He Was Let Go Because of His Sexuality
-
Fernando Ortega Talks Exclusively About His New EP "For All The Saints"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Owen Rivera Shares his New Christmas Song & Video
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Darlene Zschech's "Yes Again"
-
HAUSER Releases Deluxe Holiday Album "Christmas"
-
Hillsong's First Worship Pastor Geoff Bullock Opens Up in New Hillsong Documentary
-
Prince Covers Nicole Nordeman's "What If" (Listen Here)
-
FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD: The Gospel Coalition's New Album "Holding Fast: Songs of Grace for Rebel Hearts"
-
REVERE Revisits Stuart Townend's "How Deep the Father's Love for Us"
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Fernando Ortega “Crucifixion of Jesus” Album Review
-
Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes Are Married
-
Phil Wickham Celebrates His 15th Wedding Anniversary with "Just Too Good"