But the Word of God is Not Bound: When Amazon Bans Your Book

Writing at The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor shared The Book Amazon Does Not Want You to Read. Basically, a book on transgenderism has been banned from Amazon. I have not read the book, but I wanted to speak broadly on some best practices regarding Christian books, writers, publishers, and distributors. Here are two applications that immediately come to mind.

1. Don’t Depend on Platforms

First, churches, ministries, and writers should prepare to take direct ownership of their work and not totally depend on outside platforms for distribution. Owning our work also includes what we publish on social media. For example, while our church has content on YouTube, we have our copies of our sermon videos saved and stored elsewhere. It is also wise to have multiple channels of communication. While social media is a great way to keep in touch, newsletters allow us to reach our members directly via email.  

2. Support Christian Publishers

Second, support Christian publishers, ministries, and writers by buying from them directly and not from outside retailers. I get most of the books I review directly from the publishers, and I try to make sure I link back to the books on their website. When interviewing authors, I try to mention their publisher and ask about the editing process. Liking and sharing content also helps get the word out on good books. There is still power in the pen. Do what you can to support the written word.

Will the Bible be Banned?

After seeing how easily a book can be silenced, I naturally wondered if the Bible would ever be banned in America. While it’s certainly possible, God doesn’t seem to want us to worry about it. We are to hide God’s word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11), and the words of Christ are to abide in us (John 15:1-7). Jesus recited Scripture from memory in order to combat Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). God calls us to memorize Scripture to fight our sin and Satan, and it certainly will be done with urgency if the Bible were to be banned.

To be sure, I love my physical, printed Bible. Our fellow believers have worked and died so that we could hold God’s Word in our hands. While we have the privilege now to read God’s word, we must remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who are currently in countries where the Bible has been banned, controlled, restricted, and challenged. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I plan to guard the good deposit entrusted to me (2 Timothy 1:14), as I am convinced that God himself guards the gospel (2 Timothy 1:12). It is comforting to know that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and God will see to it that his words do not return to him empty (Isaiah 55:10-11).

The Word of God is Not Bound

I’ve learned so much about the book industry when I started taking my reading and writing reviews a bit more seriously. And the Christian publishers are learning, too, by adapting to a changing distribution landscape and influencer economy. Christians love books because we are a people of The Book. And Christians love both the written and spoken word because we are people of The Word. Christians are communicators, and I’m increasingly encouraged that the Word of God is not bound (2 Timothy 2:9).