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BOOK REVIEWS<br />

REFERENCE<br />

000’s—Generalities<br />

The church librarian’s handbook : a<br />

complete guide for the library and<br />

resource center in <strong>Christian</strong> education,<br />

3rd ed., by Betty McMichael. LCCN<br />

98007885. Grand Rapids: Baker Books,<br />

1998. ISBN 0801057728, PAP, $17.99.<br />

027.6. Church libraries--United States--Handbooks,<br />

manuals, etc.; Church libraries--Canada--Handbooks,<br />

manuals, etc. 288 p. Adult.<br />

The Church Librarian’s Handbook by Betty<br />

McMichael provides all the information any size<br />

church library would need to get started or to<br />

make improvements in existing systems.<br />

Intended primarily for the church librarian, but<br />

also directed at other interested church staffers,<br />

McMichael’s book offers twelve chapters, four<br />

appendices, a lengthy bibliography and index.<br />

The first chapter presents the hypothetical<br />

launching of a church library, delineating all the<br />

pitfalls one might encounter. Overall, however,<br />

the tone of this vade mecum is that of inspiration<br />

and enthusiasm. Ensuing chapters delve into<br />

staffing, book and AV selection, establishing<br />

policies, preparing materials, promotion of the<br />

library, financing, budgeting, and computer<br />

usage. The author intersperses germane biblical<br />

references throughout her text. There are a lot of<br />

ideas and guidance to draw from in this book<br />

and it is obvious the author has a great deal of<br />

experience.<br />

Results from surveys of church libraries are<br />

provided in almost every chapter to arm the<br />

neophyte librarian with what is at least an<br />

“average” figure or goal. For example, the<br />

average church library has 240 square feet; 26%<br />

of church libraries check out 1-19 books per<br />

week. Church library budgets are recommended<br />

to fall within one-half to one percent of the total<br />

church operating budget.<br />

At least half the value of the book is in the<br />

voluminous appendices, which give names and<br />

addresses of suppliers and associations, a<br />

classification system, and subject headings. The<br />

bibliography appears comprehensive but<br />

somewhat dated. Bibliography entries appear to<br />

be current as of the publication date of the book<br />

but there are titles that are too old to serve wellfor<br />

example, Computer Basics for Librarians<br />

and Information Scientists which has a<br />

publication date of 1981.<br />

If there is a drawback to the book, it is<br />

timeliness. Although this, the third edition, was<br />

published in 1998, readers are still referred to<br />

Wilson <strong>Library</strong> Bulletin—defunct since 1995.<br />

The address for <strong>Christian</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>Journal</strong> given<br />

in the appendix is five years old. Also, the<br />

illustrations seem dated and, while computers<br />

are mentioned, primacy is given to doing things<br />

by hand.<br />

David W. Rash, Public Services Librarian & History Instructor,<br />

Everett Community College<br />

(Editor’s note: CLJ’s address has changed several times in the past<br />

five years. Please see our current address on the contents page of<br />

this issue.)<br />

200’s—Religion<br />

Index of biblical images : similes,<br />

metaphors, and symbols in Scripture :<br />

based on the text of The new international<br />

version of the Bible, by Warren W.<br />

Wiersbe. LCCN 00710334. Grand<br />

Rapids: Baker Books, 2000. ISBN<br />

0801091071, PAP, $9.99.<br />

220.6. Metaphor in the Bible--Indexes. 127 p. Adult.<br />

Over 400 figures of speech are indexed in this<br />

easy-to-use paperback designed primarily for<br />

preachers and teachers of the Word. Preachers<br />

who are teaching through the book of John may<br />

be interested in how other writers use the image<br />

of “bread,” for example. The index provides<br />

thirteen categories which show “bread” used to<br />

mean, among other things, “Christ,” “The Body<br />

of Christ,” “Sorrow/discipline,” “Poverty,”<br />

“Friendship,” and “Sin.”<br />

The metaphors are arranged in alphabetical<br />

order from “Account” to “Wrestle.” The author<br />

confesses his own frustration in creating<br />

categories and assigning passages. When is a<br />

given passage metaphorical and when is it not?<br />

Eschatological concepts are considered<br />

symbolic and this, of course, reflects Wiersbe’s<br />

dispensational theology. Likewise, Paul’s text<br />

about “Isaac” and “Ishmael” in Galatians 4:28-<br />

31 is labeled “God’s Children” and “Legalism”<br />

respectively. Missing from the book is any<br />

significant commentary other than the brief<br />

introduction and acknowledgements; even the<br />

“brief phrases” that commonly appear in<br />

concordances are absent. The index is a list of<br />

biblical references formatted in three columns<br />

per page. From Wiersbe, the evangelical<br />

<strong>Christian</strong> reader expects more, frankly.<br />

While the book is disappointing on these counts,<br />

it is important to note that preachers yearning for<br />

fresh and creative ways of exposing biblical<br />

truth are always looking for new tools to create<br />

their messages. This is one such tool that many<br />

will find helpful because it points them in the<br />

pathway of creative and original thinking.<br />

Daniel S. Brown, Professor of Communication, Indiana Wesleyan<br />

University, Indianapolis, Indiana<br />

The Baker atlas of <strong>Christian</strong> history,<br />

[edited by] Tim Dowley. Grand Rapids:<br />

Baker Books, 1997. ISBN 0801022487,<br />

HBB, $29.99.<br />

270. <strong>Christian</strong> Church--History--Maps. 160 p. Adult<br />

(High school).<br />

This atlas is a re-issue of Dowley’s earlier Atlas<br />

of the Bible and <strong>Christian</strong>ity. The new title (just<br />

released in fall 2000) more accurately reflects<br />

the scope and content of this unique reference<br />

book: it covers the span of church history.<br />

Organized in four sections—Old Testament,<br />

New Testament, Early Church, and Modern<br />

Church—the work is comprehensive and yet<br />

accessible to the curious. The atlas contains<br />

over 160 computer-generated maps in full color;<br />

50 beautiful full-color photographs; numerous<br />

charts; latitude and longitude references; sound<br />

commentary; and an indispensable index and<br />

gazetteer. Dowley has edited numerous<br />

volumes on <strong>Christian</strong> history and doctrine over<br />

the years. This book is yet another pleasant and<br />

profitable fruit of his efforts. It not only<br />

includes the expected archeological maps of<br />

ancient Hebrew history and Paul’s missionary<br />

journeys; Dowley and his editing team have<br />

created maps and charts representing the spread<br />

of <strong>Christian</strong>ity—its various <strong>Christian</strong> sects and<br />

movements—from the beginning of the church<br />

to the late 20th century. This is the type of<br />

reference that converts the casual consumer into<br />

a devotee. Reports of data are unbelievably<br />

manageable and understandable in this format.<br />

The graphics paint the history of <strong>Christian</strong><br />

proliferation in page after page. Rather than<br />

focusing on stories of individuals, however, this<br />

reference work shows in sweeping detail the<br />

societal and cultural shifts in page after page.<br />

The various waves of Church growth and<br />

development are quite striking when viewed in<br />

this manner. The comparative religious details<br />

are impressive when seen graphically. The<br />

religious affiliations of the world population are<br />

visually summarized; scholarly commentary,<br />

including caveats and warnings about how to<br />

interpret and apply the information, is well done<br />

and written from an evangelical perspective<br />

throughout the work.<br />

Daniel S. Brown, Professor of Communication, Indiana Wesleyan<br />

University, Indianapolis, Indiana<br />

300’s—Social Sciences<br />

Baker’s guide to <strong>Christian</strong> distance<br />

education : online learning for all ages, by<br />

Jason D. Baker. LCCN 00040382. Grand<br />

Rapids: Baker Books, Baker Book House,<br />

2000. ISBN 0801063418, PAP, $13.99.<br />

S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 8 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

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