Christian Retailing

Sheep in Dekkie's Clothing Print Email
Written by Staff   
Tuesday, 09 June 2009 03:49 PM America/New_York
I remember my first trip to a University of Tennessee football game in Knoxville, Tenn. Fear gripped my heart when I realized I hadn't worn any team colors, fretting I'd be the biggest oddball of the bunch in the big, orange sea of supporters questioning my knowledge of the team's history.
I reacquainted myself with those same outsider fears as I ventured to Franklin, Tenn. this past weekend for the third-annual Ted Dekker fan event, The Gathering. Would I know enough about “Circle Trilogy” from Thomas Nelson (which nows includes a fourth book – see, Southern Gospel quartets aren't the only ones who can't count) to pass myself off as an insider? One hour before doors opened at 7:45 a.m., fans, including many with shirts referencing Dekker and his books, began lining up – these folks were true blue (or should I say Red, Black, White and Green).

A Gandalf-like old man introduced the day's events, which included activities tailor-made for Dekkies (a term I saw emblazoned on a T-shirt): dance interpretations from his books (thankfully, no fake blood was used), Q-and-A time with the author and illusions from Brock Gill (“the wizard,” dubbed by the scary old guy). Gill apparently did not get the tunic dress code memo and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.
Thankfully, my knowledge wasn't tested. Sure, there were trivia contests but even the most ardent of fans had trouble answering some of Dekker's grueling questions. Dekker's wife LeeAnn even apologized beforehand for their difficulty: “Ted came up with these.” The author got a taste of his own medicine later, though, when the audience corrected him for mistaking a badger and a beaver.

Along with LeeAnn, Ted's daughters and future son-in-law were on hand for the festivities. Rachelle, who inspired the BoneMan's Daughters (Center Street) story, even revealed how her father suggested The Gathering as a perfect location for her upcoming nuptials. You can't blame a dad for trying.

What's apparent about Dekker, both onstage and in our afternoon conversation, is that behind all of the intricate stories and settings, Dekker is determined to present the Bible as his inspiration and Jesus as the true hero. Was he deliberately trying to evangelize the readers, some of whom most likely included nonbelievers? Dekker simply explained to me, “It's just who I am.”

When asked about the violence included in the books by one older reader - a question he's asked a lot, he said he feels the depravity of evil is necessary to portray just how beautiful goodness and light are.
“I'm the only one marrying darkness and light together,” he said.

Still, he deflected another question over whether a reader should recommend him as a Christian author. He would rather the books speak for themselves, he responded, even going so far as to say “don't worry about trying to get people to read the books – we have enough people reading the books.”

To read Christian Retailing's news coverage of The Gathering, click here.