FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ANNANDALE LIBRARY

The church library consists of about 2,200 books. The largest part deals with religious material, from church history, various versions of the Bible and Bible interpretations, to theological works. There are sections containing reference material, biographies, fiction and several periodicals. The children have their own collection, from religious subjects to pure fun reading. With the exception of the reference material, books can be charged out by church members without an official time limit, but the librarian appreciates the return of the book after a few weeks so other readers can enjoy them too.  We also have some periodicals, mostly of religious nature.

LIBRARY NEWS

FPCA LIBRARY CORNER

We have added a new book to our library collection, one that may be especially interesting at the time we attend our Lenten Services, The Case for Christ. The Historical Jesus: Five Views, edited by James K. Beilby and Paul Rhodes Eddy.   Doweners Grovv, Ill. : IVP Academic, 2009.    (232.9 Hi) This book provides the reader with  different  views of five authors, ranging from Robert M. Price’s opinion that the probability of Jesus’ existence has reached the “vanishing point,”  to Darrell Bock’s argument that, while critical method yields only a “gist” of Jesus, it takes us in the direction of Gospel portraits.  The book offers a unique entry into the Jesus quest.      You will also find a new book in the Reference Collection (you know, the books  shelved next to the library desk, classified R.  (These books cannot be taken  home!):  All the People in the Bible: an A-Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, And Other Characters in Scripture, by Richard R. Losch.    Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2008. (R 220.9 Lo) The author describes this book in the preface:  “More than any other book, the Bible offers an amazing collection of fascinating characters, ranging from the holiest of the holy to some of the most depraved scoundrels imaginable.  Many are mentioned only in passing, yet history and archaeology can often fill in the blanks and flesh them out as exiting human beings.  For this reason we have in many cases been able to tell much more about them than the Bible alone reveals.”  This book is definitely worth looking at.  It will be an excellent reference work when you want to find out more about a character whose name is mentioned in the Bible.  It also has a handy appendix, listing all persons named in the Bible and Apocrypha in alphabetical order.  It includes those who are listed only in genealogies and about whom nothing else is known.  After each name you find a brief identification and the Bible source.                                                                                                                    Marta  Strada, Librarian