Eerdmans

Who Are the Christians in the Middle East?
Second Edition
Betty Jane Bailey and J. Martin Bailey
The Middle East always seems to dominate international news and global politics.
For all of the media exposure, however, most of us consider the religious life of
that volatile region only in terms of Muslims and Jews. Serving to correct that
misperception, Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? chronicles the history and
current state of the many vibrant Christian communities in that part of the world.
Reflecting dramatic changes in the region, including massive population
shifts, this second edition of the Baileys’ seminal 2003 volume updates their
carefully collected data on churches, church leaders, and contacts, making their
one-of-a-kind resource an even more useful gold mine of information.
Betty Jane Bailey is a consultant to the Middle East Office of the Common
Global Ministries Board, UCC/Disciples of Christ. J. Martin Bailey is director
of development for Worldwide Faith News and media consultant to the Hartfordbased
interfaith project Faith Communities Today. Both are ordained ministers
in the United Church of Christ.
Middle East • Reference
September / 978-0-8028-6595-3
6″ × 9″ paperback
240 pages / $20.00 [£12.99]
Neither Calendar nor Clock
Perspectives on the Belhar Confession
Piet J. Naudé
Foreword by Dirkie Smit
Adoption of a new confession is a rare event in church history. This book offers
an astute inside look at the contemporary Belhar Confession, which arose out of
the struggle against apartheid and was first adopted in 1986 by the “colored”
Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa.
With clarity and passion Piet Naudé presents and comments on the Belhar
texts themselves, explores the historical background and theological significance
of Belhar, and discusses its ongoing reception throughout the world. He also
relates the Belhar Confession’s relevance to such current global issues as gender
relations, economic justice, and the HIV/AIDS crisis.
The only up-to-date English-language book on the Belhar Confession — which
is gaining significant recognition among North American churches — Neither
Calendar nor Clock ultimately shows how this singular African confession powerfully
articulates the gospel for the universal church today.
Piet J. Naudé is professor of ethics and director of the Business School at
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Theology • Religion & Society
Available / 978-0-8028-6259-4
6″ × 9″ paperback
277 pages / $25.00 [£16.99]
www.eerdmans.com toll free 800 253 7521 19