The Liberty Situation, part 3
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with my Liberty bookstore saga, detailed here and again here. For those of you who are just getting here, the story in a nutshell:
First, THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE was banned from being sold at Liberty’s campus bookstore. A few weeks after publication, though, Chancellor Falwell decided to send the matter to an advisory committee composed of LU faculty members and administrators, who deliberated on whether or not the book was appropriate for sale in the bookstore. After a 3-1 vote, the committee voted to stock the book, but to place a three-paragraph disclaimer above the display (visible in the photo below) alleging factual inaccuracies on my part and “offensive sexual references” in the text. I responded to the committee’s allegations with concrete evidence for the facts in question, but the disclaimer stayed put.
Last week, Liberty has opened a brand-new, 25,000-square-foot bookstore, and the disclaimer is still there. Except now, it isn’t being displayed on a sign above the shelf. It’s been slipped inside each copy of the book. See the photo below:
My friends over at The Liberty Freelance have done a good job debunking the disclaimer, so I won’t dwell on the errors. But between the continued use of a sloppy disclaimer and Chancellor Falwell’s assertion, in last week’s AP article, that my view of Liberty was “distorted” since I come from “a culture that has very little tolerance for conservative Christianity and even less understanding of it,” I’m disappointed that my book, which reflects an earnest attempt to bring two worlds closer together, is still provoking anger from Liberty’s administration.
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” might not be a biblical expression, but it seems to apply here anyway.
[Post edited 4/30, given more accurate chronology.]
Kevin,
I was at LU for 8 years both as a student and an employee. There is absolutely no need for that disclaimer. Your book is quite fair and factual. Everything described is as it actually is. The good, the bad, and the ugly. So consider this my anti-disclaimer from someone who was there and lived it for a good long while.
Not all Christians are afraid of the truth I promise.
— James
April 27, 2009, 9:08 am
Oh Liberty. They try so hard to uphold their reputation and in doing so, often ruin it. I was actually surprised that they are even selling it. Its a wonderful book that every LU student can relate to, whether they want to kiss it or throw it across the room.
Thank you for saying the things so many of us were scared to say.
Hope to see more of your stuff soon.
— Beth
April 27, 2009, 10:08 am
I love the book, and I don’t believe that there are any problems with it. I think Jonathan Falwell should accept that the students at Liberty are STUDENTS. Teenagers, no matter what school they attend or how they are raised are going to be kids, and I would accept that and not try to put up a false image of them. Accept how people are and embrace it. I believe that your book, Kevin is 100% accurate, and it is a wonderful book. Don’t worry about the disclaimer, this is coming from a Christian kid, with Liberty friends, because of the disclaimer it will probably become a best seller at Liberty!
— Lindsay
April 27, 2009, 10:45 am
It’s not like a disclaimer is a bad thing, I’ve found controversy usually sells more books and drives up curiosity. And you and your book are not alone. Don Miller’s, Blue Like Jazz (and much of his other work) and Rob Bell’s work aren’t even carried in some Christian bookstores– and some of their stuff was on the best sellers lists for a while (and they’re Christians). I’ve seen many conservatives try to ban or exclude books for all sorts of reasons; and I’ve seen not-so-conservatives do the same when the material goes against their beliefs. In the end, it usually just means more publicity and greater sales.
I loved the book by the way!
— Bryan Catherman
April 27, 2009, 10:46 am
I agree with the other comments-your book was extremely fair and I thought very balanced. I am a Christian and personally think that quite a bit of what Liberty teaches and enforces (while not all-I’m with them on some things) is not at all Biblical, just legalistic. So it has a disclaimer, so what? If that stops anyone from reading it or people are upset over the book, I think they’ve got some bigger issues than a book to work on first.
— Alisha
April 27, 2009, 10:59 am
I haven’t gotten the chance to read your book yet, but it is on my summer must read list! I’m sorry for Liberty’s response! It sounds unfair, and against the very principals that our Lord and Savior lived. which was to be accepting
— Sarah
April 27, 2009, 11:11 am
Kevin, I’m a Christian…And a normal human being.
I enjoyed your book tremendously. However, I’m disappointed to see that the people at Liberty are intent on being dishonest. One would think that they wouldn’t follow that path…
*sigh*
Take care and God bless.
— Claire
April 27, 2009, 3:11 pm
Kevin, I’m a Mormon (hated by Evangelicals, Liberals, and normal human beings) and I loved this book! Very fair and balanced. A very enjoyable read.
— David
April 27, 2009, 11:34 pm
Hey, I stopped by the new bookstore yesterday, and the display copy no longer had the warning inside…not sure if that means the university removed it, or just that some student or person did.
— Sarah
April 30, 2009, 3:47 pm
Loved the book! Your depiction of Liberty was very fair and honest and I believe all Liberty students should resd it so that we can change the neagtive things that we are doing. By the way I walked into the new bookstore at Liberty and they have your book on the front table right in front of the main doors. Good job and God Bless!
— Ben
June 12, 2009, 8:31 am
Memories…that is all I’ve got to say. As a ‘91 grad your book brought me back to some of the most innocent beautiful times of my life. I applaud your willingness to share some very personal spiritual experiences that you had.
As a gay man I’ve tried very hard to explain Liberty to my friends…thank you for finally doing it for me. They all have a copy and have committed to read it over the summer. A few have already started and are in a bit of disbelief that I once called that place home! Good work!
— Eric Ellis
July 7, 2009, 12:49 pm
Propecia….
Propecia….
— Propecia.
August 23, 2009, 12:12 am
It is very interestingly written, to the author thanks.
— Cheneindy
January 5, 2010, 10:07 am