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The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

THE OXFORD DICTIONARY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Oxford University Press. £70.00

The publication of a literary work of almost 2,000 pages, containing over 6,000 entries from over 80 contributors deserves the status of a landmark event. This is a high quality production of encyclopaedic proportions which updates and expands the original Oxford Dictionary of 1957.

It carries substantial entries spanning the thought and developments across the centuries, reflecting ecclesiastical diversity, theological variety and eclectic reflection. The expertise of the main editor, Dr. E.A. Livingstone, who, with the late F.L. Cross, was involved in the 1957 edition, has assured the sort of editorial continuity which yields an abundant literary harvest.

Dictionaries are, by definition, reference volumes designed to impart the maximum amount of information within the scope of limited space. They usually follow an alphabetical order and are thematically bountiful.

Readers will not be disappointed with either the range of subjects or the style of treatment in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Here is distilled theology, precise and clear; historical biography, succinct and accurate; descriptive analysis, stimulating and informative.

Careful research has brought the authors into the territory where their expertise is hospitably enabled. The end-product is a sort of verbal mosaic, full of colour and inviting variety.

Few subjects of interest to those with a theological bent are left out of this highly contemporary work. All the major churches, sects, cults and religious communities are treated within the wide sweep of study. The reader can access helpful information on subjects and movements as diverse as patristic thought, the nag Hammadi papyri, the Amish people, Black churches, the ordination of women, canon law revision and Freemasonry.

Pastors, students, teachers, historians and spiritual enquirers will find perusal of the dictionary a rewarding experience. The volume seems expensive but at less than four pence a page, it is more than good value. More than a book - a little library - and a worthwhile investment.

Robert Dunlop