PDF - Christian Library Journal
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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