Comments on: A Word to All Authors – Aspiring or Actual

By: Marion Clark Ingram

Marion Clark Ingram — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:50:25 +0000

Frank, thank you for this piece by Brian McLaren to all authors. I get some great responses to my works, but my worse criticisms come from associates who usually inform me that they are going to write a book also. The first thing that they point out is some mistake, be it a “typo” or misplaced word. I agree with them while laughing inside because I do understand.

Marion Clark Ingram/author
“His Daughters Do Prophesy”
(With A Word For You)
BarnesandNoble.com
Amazon.com

By: Dan King Sr

Dan King Sr — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:36:03 +0000

Thank you for your post of November 19 and for the piece by Brian McLaren of 2006.

By: Peter Craig

Peter Craig — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:11:06 +0000

It seems like this is a problem that everyone who swims against the current faces, authors or not. (The main difference being that no one has ever written anything on Amazon warning others that I might say something they find ridiculous.)

To lift a quote completely out of context and use it to prove my point, Barak Obama said in one of the debates that, “The status quo will always resist the forces of change.” This thought is an echo of similar things that have been said through time by people like MLK, Abraham Lincoln, and, of course, Jesus. All of whom were not exactly loved by everyone in their day.

One of the big things I challenge myself with is understanding that the hard job isn’t igniting the people who agree with you and are ready to hear what you say. The hard job is getting everyone else to understand that you have an important message and aren’t just out to prove them wrong. Of course, you all know this, but I’m just saying that communication is always a major speed bump in group settings.

By the way, Frank, in my own opinion, you did a fantastic job in walking this tricky line in Pagan Christianity. I was ready to read what you wrote and it got me fired up, but I would think that even someone who did not agree with you in the least could see the compassion and love in the point of view you wrote from.

As a matter of fact, I’m going out on a limb and giving Pagan Christianity to all of my family members for Christmas this year. Don’t be disheartened when you see their reviews on Amazon, I’ll keep working with them…

By: George

George — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:52:02 +0000

It’s funny that I read this just after reading some guy named later emerger criticize your book. I thought to myself, did this guy read the same book I did? He doesn’t seem to understand that you’re not talking about a Quaker or Brethren theology or method. Your section on biblical blueprintism is a description of the Brethren. He did a great job at mischaracterizng your whole point. Frank, your thesis of using the trinity as a model for the church is unique. this was groundbreaking for me and its what I loved about the book. I’m sorry some folks don’t seem to get it. I can imagine how frustrating that might be as an author. Don’t mean to bum you out, just don’t read that guys review . It’s really sad. I agree with what Leonard Sweet wrote about it. Keep on keeping on, many of us out here do get it.

By: Ray Brensike

Ray Brensike — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:42:07 +0000

When I read the part about putting out a new book being like sending out a daughter to school,
well..there’s so much to think about there, like
what Jesus said about how he sends out his sheep
into the midst of wolves.

If the wolves had more of the Bread Of Life in
their bellies maybe they wouldn’t be so hungry,
and if the other children at school knew who the
Father was, maybe they would be more careful.

May we all go out as sheep, and be as the sheep.
May God bless those who feed his sheep.

By: zoecarnate

zoecarnate — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:15:36 +0000

I know what I have to look forward to…

By: Kathi

Kathi — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:47:23 +0000

I popped into your blog because I just began reading Pagan Christianity and was curious to find out more about the authors. Just wanted to thank you for the book. For the past several years I’ve been searching for this information because the book contains my questions and I had no reference point to begin my search for answers. Now, I do.

Now, coming to this blog I see you’re being attacked because of your work. You are suffering on my behalf and many others like me that God is using this book as answered prayer. This may not be much of a help, but I thank you for your willingness to share what you have learned in your research with us in spite of the personal cost to yourself. Following God is sometimes so hard and my prayers are that you will stand in strength, love, and purity through these struggles.

By: nickloyd

nickloyd — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:33:18 +0000

Hey, Frank:

We’ve never met before, but I thought I’d just tell you that I appreciated your thoughts here. I’ve experienced a few of those things myself and it is encouraging to know that people I admire from afar experience them too. It gives me hope and in some ways helps me feel a little less crazy.

Thanks again.

Nick
http://www.nickloyd.com

By: Larry Who

Larry Who — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:11:03 +0000

My favorite example of a person handling extreme criticisms was Kenneth Hagin. Reporters would call and ask him to reply to gossip about him or criticisms of his over one hundred books. His standard answer was, “No reply. God bless you.”

He felt that any truth he wrote or preached would outlive all of the lies and criticisms of his Word of Faith messages.

Now whether you agree with all of Kenneth Hagin’s works or not, is irrelevant because this character trait of Hagin is admirable. Especially when you consider how thin-skinned we writers are!

By: Roger Flyer

Roger Flyer — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:39:03 +0000

Frank-
Thanks for this.
Roger