After encountering a backlash for what critics called its insensitive use of Asian themes, Zondervan has pulled from store shelves Deadly Viper Character Assassins: A Kung Fu Survival Guide for Life and Leadership by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite.

"There is no need for debate on this subject," said Moe Girkins, Zondervan president and CEO. "We are pulling the book and the curriculum in their current forms from stores permanently."

Released Oct. 1, the leadership book came under fire from Soong-Chan Rah--author and associate professor of church growth and evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago--on his blog for promoting an "offensive" stereotype against Asians. The book featured martial arts, ninjas and Chinese symbols "in a non-essential manner that does not honor the heritage or culture of Asians," Rah wrote.

Girkins has named Stan Gundry as editor-in-chief of all Zondervan products "in order to avoid similar episodes in the future" and emphasized the company's commitment to products that promote spiritual growth. She also expressed support for Foster and White for a "valuable" message in the book concerning personal integrity, which the company hopes to present in a "better" format in the future.

On his blog, Rah called the move to pull the book a "tremendous act of repentance" and wrote that Zondervan "acted in the best interests of the body of Christ and for Christian witness above ego and profits. I am personally humbled by the actions of the authors and the publishers to take this radical step."

Foster and Wilhite have shut down their Web site, which now includes the message: "Due to an unfortunate conflict that arose around our use of Asian American themes, we have decided to close this chapter of Deadly Viper Character Assassins. This decision has been a very difficult one for us and one that we did not take lightly."

Editor's note: When we originally posted this story, we incorrectly listed the name of the new editor-in-chief. Stan Gundry is the correct name.

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