TED DEKKER 'BANNED' IN HOLLAND

Written by Staff

Thursday, 02 September 2010 09:13 AM America/New_York

Well known—and appreciated by many—for pushing the boundaries in Christian fiction, Ted Dekker has found himself provoking debate again, with his latest release.

Announcing in his latest blog that his new release, Immanuel's Veins (Thomas Nelson), has been "banned" in Holland for being too racy, he wonders if Christian publishing should "force our characters to wear turtle necks and long sleeves?"

Dekker defends Immanuel's Veins—vampires, seduction and sacrificial love in 18th century Russia—as "a passionate tale of God's love for his bride, perhaps the most Christian book I've ever written." Yes, it is sensual in parts, he admits, "but no more than the sensuality expressed by King Solomon, to whom I've dedicated the book."

It seems that the "ban" is a decision by a Dutch publisher who has taken Dekker's previous works for release in Holland not to publish Immanuel's Veins because it considered the work to be "too sensual."

Here at Christian Retailing, in our September issue review we noted that advance publicity for the book promoted the fact that "not everyone is for this story" and felt that Dekker "depicts the lure of sin in a way that may make some frown."

What do you think? Read more of Dekker's thoughts on "the final taboo" by clicking here for his blog. Then give us your feedback in our online forum, https://www.christianretailing.com/index.php/forum/12-the-lobby/118-christian-fiction-and-sex-how-far-is-too-far.