Friday, February 12, 2010

Zondervan Fail


From AP:
Kate Gosselin has a new book, "I Just Want You to Know," scheduled for release in April.

Christian book publisher Zondervan said Tuesday the book features excerpts, prayers and memories from Gosselin's journal, offering readers a look at her life during the three years her family went from obscurity to fame on TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

Zondervan says the book includes eight individual letters, one addressed to each one of her children, covering a variety of topics.

"Jon & Kate Plus 8" filmed the lives of the Gosselins and their eight children — twins and sextuplets — at their home in Wernersville, Pa. Their marriage dissolved, and the show ended last year.

6 comments:

threegirldad said...

I can't make out the wording on the chairback -- too faint.

If it says, "...how much I regret selling my marriage and children to the highest bidder," it will be worth reading.

Ruth said...

No one really knows what went on behind the scenes with this family. Her choice was made whether it was a good one or a bad one. Is that what really matters? 3girldad, i say let us pray for this family! Sarcasm has never built anyone up. We all make bad choices right? Perhaps God has changed her heart? or his?
I have sympathy on Jon and Kate, honestly. Could happen to any one of us!!

Todd Pruitt said...

I think it is unfortunate that the Goselin children had to live out their lives before cameras. Jon and Kate chose a very public life and made a lot of money as a result. I do think it is entirely appropriate for Christians to say publically, "That's not a wise way to live your life."

What grieves me, in addition to the very public destruction of the family, is the number of evangelicals who bought into the Goselin myth so enthusiastically.

Zondervan has nothing but dollar signs in their eyes. They publish some good books once in a while but they also produce much of the sentimental tripe that is lapped up un-critically by so many evangelicals. I fear Kate's book is just another example of that.

Why must Christians be so addicted to the celebrity culture? And why must Kate choose to live out publically what ought to be a matter of private grief?

threegirldad said...

No one really knows what went on behind the scenes with this family.

I certainly don't. On the other hand, I'm not commenting on what happened behind the scenes. I don't need to know that in order to characterize what the Gosselins did as selling their marriage and children to the highest bidder.

Her choice was made whether it was a good one or a bad one. Is that what really matters?

Todd already addressed this in the first paragraph of his comment.

3girldad, i say let us pray for this family!

Well, I agree, and I have. Not "night and day without ceasing," not nearly as often as for any number of family and friends, but I have.

Sarcasm has never built anyone up.

Is all sarcasm evil in your view? Or do you acknowledge that there is such a thing as Godly sarcasm? See 2 Cor 12:11-13 for one example of this. Sometimes, we are "built up" in the wrong way, and need to be "torn down" in order to be "built up" the right way. Godly sarcasm is one way that the "tearing down" is accomplished.

We all make bad choices right?

Without a doubt. I've made far too many.

Perhaps God has changed her heart? or his?

Yes, perhaps. And if so, we'll see some sort of outward evidence of it at some point. This was precisely the point of my first comment. Is that book going to contain examples of true repentance? Do you even agree that she has done things that require true repentance (and not that she has simply made "bad choices")?

I have sympathy on Jon and Kate, honestly.

I don't see a basis for unlimited, unqualified sympathy, if that's what you're talking about.

Could happen to any one of us!!

Yes, of course! But the Gosselins aren't innocent victims.

Would you want this same thing to happen to yourself, or anyone you love? Surely not. But what good is that sentiment if it doesn't find practical expression (e.g., warning people, "That's not a wise way to live your life")?

Ruth said...

I'm not sure about the sarcasm thing. I tend to say, NOPE, it's not ok. But i actually read the I Cor. passage you refer to just yesterday.
Paul was in the presence of the corinthians i believe. I think that is a little different. My point is so many people are so brutal towards them. YES they made bad choices and YES that require true repentence. Absolutely!! I just think people spend far too much time on pointing the finger. I mean no harm but that's how I took your first sarcastic comment. Lastly, I agree taht this was a bad choice for the Goslins to expose their lives to the cameras in spite of how it would effect their kids and marriage. Totally agree. I haven't been on TV or known anyone who has been but have sure been close to people that went thru the mess they are going thru now. It's tragic!

threegirldad said...

Happydaisy,

The sarcasm in my original comment was, in fact, directed at Zondervan, not Kate Gosselin. You jumped to that conclusion all on your own.

Paul wasn't in the presence of the Corinthian believers at that time, but wrote a letter in anticipation of being in their presence. And notice the reason he gives for exhorting them so strongly in the letter (2 Cor 13:10).

Criticism, even harsh criticism, doesn't automatically equate to blood sport. I'm not gleeful about the Gosselin's situation. It's very sad and tragic; it's also an object lesson.

I will rejoice if they repent, reconcile, and restore their family. Zondervan, on the other hand, seems to be more interested in capitalizing on our voyeuristic tendencies.