This summer saw the publishing of five significant theological books to help Arabic church leaders.

The Arabic Global Christian Library consists of five titles including: 'Evangelical Truth', 'Hope for the World', 'The Human Condition', 'A Time for Mission' and 'The Bible and Other Faiths'.

The publications are an ambitious project funded by The Langham Partnership and undertaken by Dar El Thaqafa Communications House.

"It will not only affect the material read by laymen but will also make a significant contribution to the theological discussion amongst Arab Christian leaders and pastors in the Middle East as they engage with their local cultures," Langham Partnership International stated.

Today, roughly 10 per cent of the population in Egypt is Christian, the majority belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church.

"There are approximately half a million Christian Protestants experiencing persecution and needing leaders who are well equipped to handle the adverse situation faced by Christians today," Langham said.

"In most of these issues faced in the Arab world, the strong evangelical vision is absent on both the theological and societal levels."

It added that issuing and distributing books tackling these issues to theology students, scholars and a number of influential church leaders in the Arab world would help them "adopt a new Christian vision" which would in turn help them to develop their theological understanding.

"These books may also initiate debates around the issues they tackle in churches and church activities," said Langham.

The ministry said that the Global Christian Library would be offered to the public at very low prices and be distributed to 500 known theology students and theologians in order to equip them with theological materials that would then raise their theological awareness and thereby contribute to their theological understanding.

You can find out more about this ministry at www.langhampartnership.org/lpuki