| CLJ Review Philosophy |
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The goal of the Christian Library Journal is to review books for Christian readers, and books for librarians and teachers in relation to building library collections and guiding readers. Reviewers are Christians who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; who believe that the Holy Bible is God's only true written Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit; and who agree with, and with God’s help, live by Christian ethics. Reviewers reflect on a book in relation to biblical teaching and Christian ethics. Will the book inspire the reader? Inform the reader? Present the reader with thought provoking ideas? Amuse or entertain the reader in a positive way? Reviewers tell the plot or content of the book briefly. They critique the quality of the writing, based on specific elements. In fiction, these elements are plot development, character development, integration of factual material, language and writing style, etc. In nonfiction, these include information content, appropriateness of material to grade level, scope, style, quality of extraneous matter: index, cross- references, illustrations, etc. Reviewers identify and report conflicts with biblical teaching: profanity, vulgarities, obscenities, the occult, black magic, witchcraft, violence, horror, immodesty or nudity, explicit, sexual material, any deviation of behavior or attitude from the Christian ethic. Reviewers also identify and report doctrinal points of view, if any. |