An article in this week's PW Religion Bookline details the structural overhauls at Thomas Nelson, including the elimination of all 21 sub-imprints, with specific attention to a change in corporate direction you wouldn't find at most publishing houses: "Future contracts will require authors—even those writing in non-religion categories like business—to signal their agreement with both the Nicene Creed (recognized by most Protestant and Catholic, and some Orthodox, Christians) and Philippians 4:8 from the New Testament." Don't worry; I know you're wondering: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." And for those of you who haven't been to church in a while (maybe even ever), the Creed's the bit that starts "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible..." and goes on to cover the Immaculate Conception, the death and resurrection of Jesus (and his eventual return "to judge the quick and the dead"), and the Holy Spirit, along with "the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."

(UPDATE: Nelson's CEO explains how PW got the story wrong, and we compounded the error, for which I'm truly sorry. But I'm sticking by this next paragraph!)

Nelson CEO Mike Hyatt positions this as "editorial standards," explaining, "My perspective is that editorial standards are inescapable. With the possible exception of Judith Regan, everyone has them." Oh, now there's a finely gratuitous Christian attitude for you, especially coming from the head of the house that put out a book jacket that practically portrayed Muhammad Ali as a gay porn star. Maybe instead of Philippians 4:8, they might toss a little Matthew 7:1-5 around the office.* I'm just saying. Heck, even if you're going to be a moral stentorian, attacking Regan shows a rather paltry lack of imagination at this point. (Of course, I'm publicly on record for my belief that Regan also publishes nice books; for that matter, whatever qualms you or I might've had about that book, the pre-orders before Murdoch's intervention more than justified her understanding of the marketplace.)

*Oh, alright, it's the one about judging not and taking care of the beam in your own eye. Can you tell I took bible study courses in college?