On the surface, of course. However, let’s suppose I pull up a local Shepherds Guide and find a tire shop. I visit the tire shop and find their walls covered with Kenneth Copeland material, and despite the friendly smile from the owner, strikes up a polemical conversation about why Americans MUST support Israel. (As you can tell, this is a true story.)

Will I come back to this tire shop? No. Is my salvation in jeopardy? No.

This is where you have to be careful about answering this question.

I agree with the first two commenters. I don’t feel compelled to support the Christian bookstores, especially the big chain stores. Frankly, I try to avoid them because most every time I walk in there (which is extremely rare)I feel like I should start turning over the tables and ranting about turning the house of God into a den of thieves. Is my anger righteous like Jesus’? I’m sure it’s not, but I still feel anger rising when I see the inane, heretical, and useless things being sold there in the name of Christ.

Some of us may shop at amazon. com instead of the online Christian book retailers because in the past we’ve had so many problems with Christians who frankly are not professional (often because of low budgets). When buying online my greatest fear is security online (I only have a debit card). Are the Christian retailers big enough to hire top people to protect credit card info? I’m pretty sure that amazon does but I’m not always sure about others.

I don’t think we necessarily have an obligation to support a Christian-owned business, but should not be faulted for that choice any more than someone who chooses not to support one. If I want to drive 10 miles further to give my business to a Christian over the non-Christian right down the street, that’s my choice. Ditto if I want to support that local business and build some relationship with them.

I think that there is something to be said about Christian retailers offering competitive prices. I don’t necessarily mind shopping from CBD - they’ve been helpful and reasonably priced quite often. I don’t mind going directly to the publisher if their prices make sense. I have a lot of trouble paying full retail for just about anything, though. I like Mardel because they offer a pretty good selection across the board and teaching supplies in addition to “traditional” Christian retail stuff. I’ll sometimes buy a book from them if it’s interesting and is reasonably priced. On the whole, I won’t - more because I have to justify the purchase than anything else.

Personally, I stopped shopping @ Family Christian when they instituted their “open on Sunday” policy. They made a choice, so did I. I also noticed that the largest FC store in the DFW area shrank down to ~ 1/3 of its prior size shortly after that. I used to use them to buy music for our choir - they offered some discount for quantities >= 20 and had a wide choir selection. That’s not the case anymore.

Of course, my main feeling on this is that it makes sense for Christian books, music, etc to be able to stand on its own in the world. If it can’t compete on the shelf next to something that’s not Christian, then it either has limited appeal and should be sold differently or is not worth the money. With all of the alternative means of distribution available now, there are a lot of ways to purchase a product. Some artists sell their music only online. Books can be printed/sold as needed and profits go to the author with overhead for the actual printing. If desired, they can be e-books. That doesn’t eliminate all need for retail space, but quite a bit can be done differently.

I agree with Ian’s comment (/archives/polls/poll-where-do-you-buy-books.php#comment-27940) to a large extent. I would like to support the local store more. Of course, I don’t tend to buy much in general and when stores just raise the prices, it’s even harder to justify the purchase. If I see it as supporting a ministry, I’m more likely to do it than if I see it as just another retailer. FC started looking like just another retailer, not a ministry. Mardel seems more like they try to minister while keeping retail a large focus, even to the extent of closing early on Wednesdays so their employees can attend the local church activities.

I guess my final thought is one on actual value. If I have a Christian plumber and non-Christian plumber doing the same work, but the Christian charges more and is slower, do I have an obligation to support that Christian? What sort of witness does he have if there’s no justification for the increased price other than marketing himself to Christians? Now I do choose a local Christian HVAC guy, both as a friend and because he’s incredibly honest and hard-working. He’ll even turn down projects if it’s not the right thing to do and will tell customers they need less than what they’re asking for if that’s the right thing to do. He gets high marks from me because he witnesses through his work. I might or might not recommend him just because he’s a friend/Christian, but his work ethic really earns that recommendation

I’d have to say that we are not obliged to support “christian” businesses. Unfortunately, I can’t find Scriptural support for “christian” anything, ie, “christian” bookstores, “christian” mechanics, “christian” massage parlors, “christian” business card holders… (you catch my drift). On top of this, as I have frequented “christian” bookstores to get music that can only be purchased there (I know that many will ask how I renounce “christian” bookstores, but advocate Christian Music - but I do believe the Bible mandates our music), I have found that much of what is actually sold there is anti-Christian. I have found that too many “christian” bookstores are not Christian, and refuse to sell Christian books because the “christians” that shop in there store won’t buy them. In this case, if there were a mandate for Christian retailers, and a mandate to support them, we still would not be ogliged to support “christian” bookstores because they are not Christian.

I must confess though, I buy all my books at Monergism, or Covenant Seminary, since they are actually providing Christian literature and in support of their endaevors (providing for scholars and Christians who are serious about their study of Scripture, not as a “christian” retailer, but as a resource for the faithful), and I only shop Amazon for any non-Reformed books (ie, Charismatic intrest books, etc.).

In the end, I think that the idea of “christian” retailers, and a mandate to support them, is a confusion of the Two Kingdoms.

Blessings.

I would rather give money to an organization that I know isn’t Christian and deal with them as I would unbelievers, than give money to a company that has a lot of Christian language down, but ultimately a big question mark in my head. The Christian industry, in many ways, is really no different from the rest of the commercial industry. I know this from a number of my relationships which have had pretty deep connections within the industry.

Because of that, I feel it would be better to steer clear of companies like that. I know that the larger industry (recording, publishing, etc.) is not the same as the local retailer, and many of them are devout, strong believers. However, it is painful to see a lot of the junk they carry (Christian lotions for $33, what?). It does cause me to wonder why they sell that stuff? Furthermore, I think things like that give believers an awfully bad rap. I personally would like to see that part of the industry die. If that means that the market simply won’t support a mom and pop Christian store, then I think that’s what should happen.

SO, for me, I tend to go out of my way not to go into local Christian retailers. And online Christian retailers I’ll buy from provided they can substantially prove to me that there different from their competitors (i.e., desiring god, banner of truth).

A wolf in sheep’s clothing is more dangerous than just a plain old wolf.

Hardly any Christian book stores sell what I’m interested in buying, and while they could probably order anything, I would rather not pay full price for it when I can go to Monergism or Amazon and get a discount. Further, if you happen to read something other than “Christian” books, you have to go elsewhere anyway.

It’s hard to support the local Christian bookstores when they’re so…bad. Fortunately, I live within 45 minutes of WTS, and I do still prefer physical browsing of books.

I am a bookseller, selling used books through Alibris (which also sends sellers to us from a few other sites). We used to sell through Amazon as well, but they began taking way too big a bite out of our profits (in some cases eliminating it altogether). Being a smaller business, we just can’t afford to sell through Amazon.

That said, I purchase books for my own use through Amazon rather regularly, if it will save me money. In the end, really I just do my best to run a good business, and keep my prices as competitive as I can afford while still making a profit. Though I am a Christian, I do not run my business under the banner of “Christian business”, and do not expect Christians to single me out because I’m a Christian (nor do I limit myself to Christian inventory). I live in the real world. I expect people to do business with me for the same reason they would with anyone else out there, because I have what they’re looking for, at a price that works for them.

I do not feel obligated to shop for my book purchases at any one place. I try to find the best deal that I can wherever I can. I find that the used books that I can buy through Amazon a wonderful option. I do not mind buying used books, and since I purchase a great deal of them, I like saving as much money as possible. I get very put out going to Christian bookstores that sell mostly knick knacks and Christian junk than they do good solid books. I am fortunate though to have in my little town in NC a used (and new) Reformed Christian bookstore.

I have to wonder if a bookstore can really be a Christian business. When such a place sells cult-oriented Bibles, The Shack, or Lynn Spears books — I have to conclude that they’re just in it for money. A Christian business ought to put the glory of God before money. I can’t support such a travesty of witness in good conscience.

If I find out that a non-Christian business that I purchase from is supporting culturally destructive causes, like homosexual marriage, I avoid doing business with them also. But I don’t expect heathens to have spiritual discernment.

There is a large and well-known chain of “Christian” bookstores in the Minneapolis area, and I try to divert as many people in my church as possible away from them. This is mainly because most people who wander in without knowing what they’re looking for will generally buy whatever is popular (i.e. Osteen or Jakes) or whatever the salesperson (who mostly reads Christian fiction) recommends. If they’re not going to ask me what to read, I would tell my people to trust the Amazon “stars” ratings over what this chain of bookstores recommends any day of the week and twice on Sunday. For this reason and others, I rather hope these bookstores eventually do go out of business.

#2, 4, 9, 10, 12, 16, 21, 22, and 24 above.

to #7, It’s common, and typically I find those selling the books will endorse almost anything, often having the books, or similar ones, and going on and on about how “great” and “encouraging” they are…even when utterly unchristian and/or heresy.

WTS, Monergism, Banner of Truth, Covenant Theological Seminary, …CBD (ONLY FOR SOME THINGS) Amazon, sometimes Cambridge Bibles (last and last), Alibris…

I do feel free to buy books from wherever I want. However, there are things that we Christians should consider, especially in Canada. Now that Mitchell Family Books has gone under it puts many other Christian stores and families in jeopardy. The reason is that companies like Mitchell’s aren’t just stores but distribute all across the country. Now that they are bankrupt it has caused many upsets as students cannot get the books they need for school and others can’t get product to fill their stores. For sure we should shop wherever we want but we do have to realize that it will affect Christian retail across the world. I wonder what effects it will have, if any, on publishers themselves.

Another thing to consider is this. Many of us from the reformed camp love to read and know what we want to read. We know the authors and we even know the good publishers. However, there are other groups of Christians that aren’t so keen when it comes ot books. Many of the books they do read come from what they find while browsing stores. True; many of the books in Christian retail aren’t worth reading anyways and there is a great chance they may leave with a heretical book. What can we do to serve these Christian brothers and sisters?

As a writer I would urge every Christian to support your local Christian bookstore, because if you don’t, not only are you helping to keep a “poor writer” like me in stores, but you are providing for a ministry as well. How many times have you gone looking for a Christian book to help you in your walk with Christ and needed help in a specific area such as - spiritual warfare, end-times events, bible studies, children’s studies, stewardship, missions, (the list goes on) that someone from say Chapters, would not have a clue as to what you’re talking about? I enjoy my local Bookstore. I know everyone there, I can sit and have a coffee and browse as many books as I want. Granted their prices are a little steep and sometimes I do have to make purchases from the CBD, but that is rare.

I would hate to see my local store fail, it would be a horrible loss to our community because they are not just a bookstore, they are representing Jesus Christ in our fair city (London, ON). Some of the comments I’ve read here indicate that some of these stores going out of business, seem to have lost their focus on what is important. They are selling anything to make a buck now and that is heartwrenching. Unfortunately, I have seen that happening in my own local store. They have forgotten their purpose and instead are promoting “feel-good” books from authors like Joel Osteen or Brian McLaren. They are forgetting they have a gospel message to spread and will one day be responsible for what they sell. So, I understand why some people here no longer shop in these stores and instead shop online. But, you do realize that online stores sell the same books right? You are asking the bookstore owner not to sell heretical books, then you turn around and shop at Amazon or CBD which sell those same books! If you have an issue with certain books that your local retailer is selling, talk to them! They don’t want to lose your business!

I think my biggest concern lately has been what the store or vendor stocks overall. I used to shop at Blessing Christian Marketplace here in Canada, but had to stop when they started pushing Purpose Driven and now the Shack with full support. I have spoken to some of the staff and those who had read them, loved them, and those who had’nt told me to get it because it was so popular. I don’t buy “Christian” books because of popularity, but because of the doctorines they teach and uphold. If they are going to promote this heresy with such vigor, I cannot with a clear conscience support them.

I have made the majority of my purchaces and Christianbook, but lately have had the same concern, thankfully at CB you can read the readers reviews to get a overall view of reader response. However I have stopped purchacing there now too, and have turned to Monergism because they seem to ONLY stock solid, sound biblical authors. Though they do not have every book that is of value to have on your shelf, that which they do have is excellent. Only when I can’t get a book from them will I resort to giving my money to a soldout, worldly source, which sofar has not happened as I have always found what I’m looking for.

What it comes down to is a conscience issue. If you have no problem giving money to worldly, or heretical supliers that is between you and God. I for one cannot. I also would rather spend the extra few dollars if needed, in order to know my money is going to those who have not compromised the truth in order to make a buck, or even to stay in business for that matter.

I posted about this on my blog, and would love to here form you.