Who Are the Christians in the Middle East?

Rating:
Summary: Unknown Christendom
Review: The Baileys, Betty Jane and Martin, have put together an important text on a little known and less understood population at the centre of a very volatile portion of the world. I recall several years ago seeing a spokeswoman from the Palestinian people on the Larry King Show, and was intrigued about half-way through when she challenged my assumptions - this woman, who looked Arab and spoke Arabic (among other languages), and was an official spokesperson for the Palestinian cause, was in fact a Christian (and not only that, but was my 'kind' of Christian, an Anglican). This cast a new light on the entire conversation, and from that moment forward, my perceptions of the events and people in the Middle East changed - I would not go so far as to say it changed my opinions or beliefs in the matters, but it did make me question my long-term ideas, and made me always mindful that the situation there was broader and more complex than most assume.

The Baileys write with a personal affection for the people and the region of the Middle East. For the context of this relatively slim volume, the Middle East includes not only the traditional nations surrounding Israel and Saudi Arabia (the context in which most Westerners think of the region), but goes as far north as Turkey, as far west as Morocco along the African coast, and includes the peripheral states of Iran and Sudan.

In the first section of the text, a general overview of the situation, the Baileys are joined by David Kerr and Riad Jarjour, who each contributed a chapter. Kerr writes about the Western view of Eastern Christianity (often an overlooked subject, even in seminary and graduate education); Jarjour discusses the future of Christianity in Arab-dominated cultures. The authors give an historical timeline for Christianity in the region, as well as an overview of ecumenical cooperation in the area, particularly through the MECC - Middle Eastern Council of Churches.

The second section looks at particular churches in the diverse realm of Christianity in the Middle East. This includes several varieties of Orthodox - Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and various minor groupings; it also includes Catholic and Protestant/Evangelical churches, mostly implants from various missionary periods from the West. However, there are various Latin Catholic Churches that have existed since prior to the East/West split, who have remained in association (if not full communion) with the See of Rome. Each section also has contact information (often physical address, internet information, and telephone contact information as appropriate and available).

The third section looks at the region nation by nation, examining the situation of church/state issues, as well as general cultural issues involved in the Christian churches' functioning, often in minority status with little or no official protections or authorisations. Each national chapter looks at composition of the Christian population, interfaith relations, historical circumstances and contemporary situations.

There are literally millions of Christians in the Middle Eastern region, many of whose histories go back far longer than any Western Protestant Church, and have pedigrees as long as an institution in Christendom. They provide an interesting set of case-studies in historical and cultural development, as well as serving as witnesses to a broader definition of what 'to be Christian' can mean.

This is an important book for anyone who wishes to be well-versed in current affairs.