Comments on: Changes in the bookstore http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/ Searching for wit and wisdom in a wilderness of words... Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:51:30 +0000 hourly 1 By: ESV Bible Blog http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2926 ESV Bible Blog Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:56:14 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2926 <strong>A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Bible Retailing...</strong> ElShaddai Edwards at He Is Sufficient notes some recent changes in the layout of the Bible section of his local Christian bookstore. It sounds like (we can’t be sure) the store has started using Zondervan’s Total Bible Solution 2.0 materials, an in... A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Bible Retailing…

ElShaddai Edwards at He Is Sufficient notes some recent changes in the layout of the Bible section of his local Christian bookstore.
It sounds like (we can’t be sure) the store has started using Zondervan’s Total Bible Solution 2.0 materials, an in…

]]> By: Dave http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2903 Dave Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:58:28 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2903 @ Iyov: It also doesn't help that every Christian retailer I've been in sells everything at the MSRP. Almost anywhere else has discounts. The only real advantage is that they have a larger selection of uncommon editions compered to other brick and mortar stores. They really can't compete online, though. @ Iyov: It also doesn’t help that every Christian retailer I’ve been in sells everything at the MSRP. Almost anywhere else has discounts. The only real advantage is that they have a larger selection of uncommon editions compered to other brick and mortar stores. They really can’t compete online, though.

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2902 ElShaddai Edwards Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:11:56 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2902 It's a fair question, Iyov. It's a small chain, so they have some diversification in their favor. And I think that there's enough hypocritical buying habits among American Christians to support the evangelical bookstores: "we can get everything for the house at Target, but Faith stuff should be bought at <Christian bookstore name>." That said, I prefer eBay or the Amazon Marketplace myself... which isn't helping the industry, since I typically buy used. It’s a fair question, Iyov. It’s a small chain, so they have some diversification in their favor. And I think that there’s enough hypocritical buying habits among American Christians to support the evangelical bookstores: “we can get everything for the house at Target, but Faith stuff should be bought at .” That said, I prefer eBay or the Amazon Marketplace myself… which isn’t helping the industry, since I typically buy used.

]]> By: Iyov http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2901 Iyov Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:03:49 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2901 Do you think your Christian bookstore will still be there in five years? It seems that with online retailers and the spread of chains such as Barnes & Noble and Borders that the service offered by Christian bookstores is less in demand. Do you think your Christian bookstore will still be there in five years? It seems that with online retailers and the spread of chains such as Barnes & Noble and Borders that the service offered by Christian bookstores is less in demand.

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2900 ElShaddai Edwards Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:58:22 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2900 I can't deny that I'm pleased to see the NLT get so much exposure. I'm become convinced that functional translations are as every bit authoritative a Bible as formal translations or even the original Greek/Hebrew texts. It seems to me that the original languages and more formal translations like the NASB and ESV are appropriate tools for studying the context of the original receivers, but idiomatic English translations are more appropriate for maturing the application of the Biblical message in today's lives. I can’t deny that I’m pleased to see the NLT get so much exposure. I’m become convinced that functional translations are as every bit authoritative a Bible as formal translations or even the original Greek/Hebrew texts. It seems to me that the original languages and more formal translations like the NASB and ESV are appropriate tools for studying the context of the original receivers, but idiomatic English translations are more appropriate for maturing the application of the Biblical message in today’s lives.

]]> By: Dave http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2889 Dave Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:36:00 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2889 Ah, If could only see the future, it would make it much easier to settle on a translation! ;) It seems that a lot of people out here are going back and forth from the TNIV and NLT. If I knew the NLT would reign supreme in the near future I would go ahead and make the switch too, but for now I'm sticking with the TNIV. All of my study resources are currently NIV (my previous translation, except for a brief flirtation with the ESV), and my church primarily uses the NIV as well so the TNIV is an easier fit. Ah, If could only see the future, it would make it much easier to settle on a translation! ;) It seems that a lot of people out here are going back and forth from the TNIV and NLT. If I knew the NLT would reign supreme in the near future I would go ahead and make the switch too, but for now I’m sticking with the TNIV. All of my study resources are currently NIV (my previous translation, except for a brief flirtation with the ESV), and my church primarily uses the NIV as well so the TNIV is an easier fit.

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2886 ElShaddai Edwards Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:14:31 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2886 <strong>@Gary</strong>: Yes, we've talked about B&N before - they do an excellent job of carrying a wide range of titles, the HCSB and TNIV excepted up here in the metro. Those two just don't seem to have made inroads in Minneapolis. Then again, Piper is based here, so the ESV has strong local support. And our church, of course, still uses the NIV. <strong>@Dave</strong>: Yes, study Bibles are in abundance at this store as well, especially the NIV and Life Application. I don't know all the details about the 30th Anniversary promotions, but I haven't seen it explicitly referenced in the store, so I had assumed they hadn't started yet. But the link you gave says April as the publication date, so I've probably not looked close enough (or rather, see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zondervan-NIV-Study-Bible-Updated/dp/0310938961/" rel="nofollow">this link</a>). I agree that the NIV quote doesn't spell out long term support for the TNIV, except as a fringe youth/young adult title, perhaps with the audio Bible Experience as the entry point. Maybe they're hoping that buyers will want to get the same text as what they heard on their iPod, or whatever platform the Bible Experience is presented on. <i>There is one rack for KJV and one rack for NLT (almost all Life Application Bibles with a few gift and 1-year Bibles mixed in).</i> I will say that I almost bought a NLT Reference thinline tonight - it's basically the same size as the TNIV Thinline I already have. If I find the NLT translation useful in my NIV church, I might make the switch. @Gary: Yes, we’ve talked about B&N before – they do an excellent job of carrying a wide range of titles, the HCSB and TNIV excepted up here in the metro. Those two just don’t seem to have made inroads in Minneapolis. Then again, Piper is based here, so the ESV has strong local support. And our church, of course, still uses the NIV.

@Dave: Yes, study Bibles are in abundance at this store as well, especially the NIV and Life Application. I don’t know all the details about the 30th Anniversary promotions, but I haven’t seen it explicitly referenced in the store, so I had assumed they hadn’t started yet. But the link you gave says April as the publication date, so I’ve probably not looked close enough (or rather, see this link).

I agree that the NIV quote doesn’t spell out long term support for the TNIV, except as a fringe youth/young adult title, perhaps with the audio Bible Experience as the entry point. Maybe they’re hoping that buyers will want to get the same text as what they heard on their iPod, or whatever platform the Bible Experience is presented on.

There is one rack for KJV and one rack for NLT (almost all Life Application Bibles with a few gift and 1-year Bibles mixed in).

I will say that I almost bought a NLT Reference thinline tonight – it’s basically the same size as the TNIV Thinline I already have. If I find the NLT translation useful in my NIV church, I might make the switch.

]]> By: Dave http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2882 Dave Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:06:43 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2882 This is the one I was referring to: http://www.amazon.com/NIV-Study-Bible-30th-Anniversary/dp/0310611229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217628376&sr=1-1 This is the one I was referring to:

http://www.amazon.com/NIV-Study-Bible-30th-Anniversary/dp/0310611229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217628376&sr=1-1

]]> By: Dave http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2881 Dave Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:59:27 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2881 EE, I was looking at the link to the revised NIV Study Bible you gave. This quote is kind of depressing: "The NIV has been a tremendous success, but with your help, the last 30 years will only be the beginning." So much for focusing on the TNIV... I'm confused about what the web page is showing, though. There have been what I thought were NIV 30th anniversary study bibles in the christian store for the last few months. Maybe they weren't study bibles EE, I was looking at the link to the revised NIV Study Bible you gave. This quote is kind of depressing:

“The NIV has been a tremendous success, but with your help, the last 30 years will only be the beginning.”

So much for focusing on the TNIV…

I’m confused about what the web page is showing, though. There have been what I thought were NIV 30th anniversary study bibles in the christian store for the last few months. Maybe they weren’t study bibles

]]> By: Dave http://heissufficient.com/2008/08/01/changes-in-the-bookstore/comment-page-1/#comment-2880 Dave Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:44:23 +0000 http://heissufficient.net/?p=622#comment-2880 Our local Christian store is kind of weird in its representation. There are 2 racks for the NIV, but most are NIV study Bibles. There is one rack for KJV and one rack for NLT (almost all Life Application Bibles with a few gift and 1-year Bibles mixed in). There is less than one shelf devoted to the ESV, one shelf for the HCSB (all apologetics) and one shelf devoted to all of the rest. Then ther is a rack half full of spanish Bibles and Bible covers. The TNIV has a grand total of 3 copies of the companion to the Bible experience and 4 copies of the new notetaker new testament. It surprising that almost all of the audio Bibles are the Bible Experience, though with a couple of the ESV Bible Experience copy-cat audio Bibles thrown in (Word of Promise, I think?). The strangest thing to me is that they now stock a Pitt-minion bonded leather and widemargin hardback from cambridge for the KJV, NIV and NASB. Even more odd is that two of the local stores have hardback cambrige NRSV's with the Apocrypha. I can't even find that on Amazon! Dave Our local Christian store is kind of weird in its representation. There are 2 racks for the NIV, but most are NIV study Bibles. There is one rack for KJV and one rack for NLT (almost all Life Application Bibles with a few gift and 1-year Bibles mixed in). There is less than one shelf devoted to the ESV, one shelf for the HCSB (all apologetics) and one shelf devoted to all of the rest. Then ther is a rack half full of spanish Bibles and Bible covers. The TNIV has a grand total of 3 copies of the companion to the Bible experience and 4 copies of the new notetaker new testament. It surprising that almost all of the audio Bibles are the Bible Experience, though with a couple of the ESV Bible Experience copy-cat audio Bibles thrown in (Word of Promise, I think?).

The strangest thing to me is that they now stock a Pitt-minion bonded leather and widemargin hardback from cambridge for the KJV, NIV and NASB. Even more odd is that two of the local stores have hardback cambrige NRSV’s with the Apocrypha. I can’t even find that on Amazon!

Dave

]]>