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Who Are The Christians In The Middle East? Who Are The Christians In The Middle East? Betty Jane Bailey and J. Martin Bailey Eerdmans, 215 pp., $20

News may come streaming in daily from the Middle East, but there is hardly ever a mention of Christians in the region. That is surprising given that they number between 10 and 12 million. What's more surprising is that not even Christians in the West know much about them. Betty Jane Bailey and J. Martin Bailey seek to remedy this problem.

The Baileys, both United Church of Christ pastors, write out of their experiences of touring, living, and working on and off in the Middle East since 1969. They introduce readers to key figures in Middle Eastern Christianity, unusual terminology, and local shadings of common terms—evangelical, for example, has a different meaning in the East.

They also profile each of the principal Middle Eastern churches. They summarize each church's history and current challenges, its liturgical language and traditions, and note its leadership and contact information. A country-by-country section is particularly absorbing, with comments on Christian communities, population, history, contemporary circumstances, interfaith activities, and challenges posed by overzealous evangelistic groups.

This solid reference book should open up a new understanding of the Christian community abroad. As the Baileys note, "our experiences in the Middle East have enriched our lives and broadened our lifelong ecumenical commitments."

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? is available at Christianbook.com and other retailers.

Previous Christianity Today articles on the conflict in the Holy Land include:

How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friend | In the last 50 years, Israel has needed all the friends it can get, and evangelicals have been loyal and productive supporters. (October 5, 1998)

Hard Line on the Road Map | Can Condoleezza Rice put pressure on the nation she admires? (Aug. 22, 2003)

Palestinian Christians, Strangers in a Familiar Land | They've called the Holy Land home for centuries, but they've never actually governed themselves. (August 8, 2003)

Speaking Out: Israel's Anti-Family Values | Christians should be outraged by a law thwarting Israeli-Palestinian marriages (Aug. 4, 2003)

Roadblocks and Voting Blocs | Today's evangelicals are committed to peace—not just security—for Israel. (August 1, 2003)

'U.S. Credibility Hangs on Whether It Can Do Justice for the Palestinians' | A Palestinian Christian and former PCUSA moderator talks about his faith and critiques Bush's road map to peace in the Middle East. (August 1, 2003)

Opinion Roundup: The Evangelical View of Israel? | Evangelicals are more diverse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than we are led to believe. (June 11, 2003)

A Middle Way in the Middle East | A third theological path through the Israeli-Palestinian thicket. (April 11, 2003)

Crackdown Hits Churches | Mideast Christians torn over tough Israeli tactics at churches (May 5, 2002)

Holy Land Tourism Plunges | Visits to Israel fall 45 percent as violence escalates. (March 13, 2002)

Activists well acquainted with terror | "Jerusalem Women Speak" tour gains relevance for audience members struggling with new fears. (September 27, 2001)

Palestine's Christians Persist Despite Pressures | With escalating violence in Israel, ministries face a "sad and scary" situation. (September 19, 2001)

Strengthen Christian Presence In The Holy Land, Carey Pleads | Middle-East leaders asked to help tone down violence that has killed 650 in 10 months. (August 2, 2001)

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September 2003, Vol. 47, No. 9