IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING how I go about writing a blog, here’s a crash course.
A few minutes ago I didn’t have any idea what I would write for today.
Then, sitting here staring out the window, it occurred to me:
What about looking at the bad reviews I’ve gotten for my newest book, 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible, to see if I can find any trends?
Maybe a strand of weakness in my writing…something I’m missing as I research and write.
Perhaps a trait in the reviewers…something about their theological wiring that produces sparks when they come into contact with me.
Fortunately, I get more encouragement than kicks in the butt. You’d pretty much expect that from Christian readers.
But they do sometimes give me a swift kick.
Let’s look for a trend.
Here are some of harshest words I’ve found in the book reviews so far.
“Today many if not most Christian scholars and theologians can best be classified as agnostic and at worst some of them border on atheist. The author does little to differentiate between poor scholarship and solid scholarship.” Tswinnett, Amazon
“There are parts that I believe every Christian should read. Then there are other parts that are so horrible, they are borderline blasphemous.” J. Wright, Amazon
“If author Stephen M. Miller is a ‘Christian,’ he could have fooled me…. On occasion Miller offers a great answer that interests me and sticks with me as a way to defend my faith, but the great majority of the book’s answers refer to ‘Bible scholars’ and ‘Christians’ who really don’t fit those terms except by wide liberal society’s standards.” HarmonyWheeler, Amazon
“The idea of investigative journalism and the Bible is not a foreign concept since Lee Strobel first published The Case For Christ and the subsequent “Case for” series that followed. But having read Strobel’s original work, Miller is not Strobel, not even close.” Jonathan Gibson, Amazon
“We all have questions when it comes to God and the Bible, but you will most likely not find the answers in this book…The book is not really for someone who is searching for the truth, without any understanding of God’s word.” GCWineholt, Barnes & Noble
“Non-Christian readers may come away from the book thinking the Bible and Christianity are just too controversial, too difficult to understand.” Anonymous, Columbus, GA, Christianbook.com; also blogged by Janet Benlien Reeves
OK, I’m looking for a trend, other than the fact that these readers don’t like the book.
Here are a few questions I’m wondering about at the moment.
- Does it sound as though the reviewers want someone to tell them what to believe?
- Does it sound as though the reviewers are happy if they read something they agree with, but are offended if I report something they don’t want to hear?
- Should I work harder at beefing up support for traditional answers to the tough questions because I give too much space to the alternative ideas that Bible experts suggest?
Do other questions or observations come to mind?
If so, hit that comment box below.
Just a reminder. Most reviews of the book are kind and encouraging. I’m looking here at the anomalies written, I hope, by people who weren’t in my target audience anyhow. I write for Bible newcomers and other folks who wouldn’t consider themselves Bible experts.
Sometimes there are questions that we don’t know the answers to and are embarrassed to ask anyone. Maybe we have been Christians all our life and feel that we should know the answer. I personally have learned so much from your books. If I’m not sure of your answer I research it myself. I feel like that’s what you are trying to do anyhow is to get us to start reading the Bible. I love all your books.
Given some of the negative reviews of the said book which I do own a copy and couldn’t wait to receive. I have been told by a dear Christian friend that we are not always to be spoon feed everything. But in this case I never did the research or my homework for the book and those who are giving the negative comments probably haven’t either. So with that being said thank you for doing the research and the writing of this book.
Eh…sounds like most of these individuals are reticent to accept a text that encourages them to think critically, and more apt to embrace a text (or doctrine, or law or set of rules or policies) that affirm what they believe is a singular Truth. So my answer would be : “they are offended when they read something they do not want to hear”.
I think your writing style is right on the money. These anomalies want “scholarly” answers to theological questions. Your style of writing is for the newcomer—someone who just needs a brief explanation of Bible events and facts. I agree with you: They are not your target audience and their comments should be taken in that context.
I agree with Mr. Hagen.
Ladies and gent, thanks for your encouragement. It’s refreshing to see the flip side of the coin.
This was a new venture for you and knowing the mind of mainline Evangelical thinking and the need to conform to the “right answer” — I knew this was going to happen LOL! I am waiting for the ultimate Stephen M Miller Handbook of the Bible — with a little of everything thrown in — your pictures, charts, your sidebars, and even some basic questions, your outlines of each of the books of the Bible — no one does an Illustrative Bible reference book like you — No one! I only wish I had these books when I went to Bible school. Anyway, I enjoyed the book — all 100 panic attacks about God and the Bible!
Being a seminary graduate, former UM minister, social worker, and now on the staff at Gettysburg High School, my wife and I find your books informative, humorous and down right delightful. You help make reading the Bible a fun experience.