The Core Values ofChristian Librarianship:A Round-Table Discussion: The Core Values of Christian Librarianship: A Round-Table Discussion Gregory A. Smith Library Director Baptist Bible College and Graduate School of Theology (Springfield, MO)


All Scripture references in this presentation are from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.: All Scripture references in this presentation are from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.


Slide3: First commandment: To love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength Second commandment: To love one’s neighbor as oneself New commandment: To love one another as Christ loved us A Trio of Christian Ethical Maxims


Slide4: See also Deut. 6:4-5; Matt. 22:35-40; Luke 10:25-28. Mark 12:28-31 Then one of the scribes came, and . . . asked Him, 'Which is the first commandment of all?' Jesus answered him, 'The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.' The First (Great) Commandment


Slide5: Christian librarians should . . . acknowledge God, not professional standards, as their supreme authority Back Divine Authority


Slide6: Christian librarians should . . . promote the love of God as mankind’s highest occupation Back Spiritual Priority


Slide7: Christian librarians should . . . affirm human freedom to choose (not) to love God Back Human Freedom


Slide8: Christian librarians should . . . offer resources that provide for total personal development Back Holistic Personal Development


Slide9: Christian librarians should . . . integrate scholarship and discipleship, and lead others to do the same Back Faith-Discipline Integration


Slide10: Christian librarians should . . . acknowledge God, not professional standards, as their supreme authority promote the love of God as mankind’s highest occupation affirm human freedom to choose (not) to love God offer resources that provide for total personal development integrate scholarship and discipleship, and lead others to do the same The First (Great) Commandment


Slide11: The Second Commandment Romans 13:8-10 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. See also Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:43; 19:17-18; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27.


Slide12: Galatians 5:13-15 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! James 2:8-9 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. The Second Commandment


Slide13: Christian librarians should . . . refrain from sexual harassment and other forms of immorality (Rom. 13:9) avoid violence in the workplace (Rom. 13:9) practice integrity of speech and action (Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:15) avoid harming any person with whom they have contact (Rom. 13:10) balance freedom and responsibility (Gal. 5:13) serve patrons, colleagues, and superiors with a motive of love (Gal. 5:13) refrain from discrimination when serving patrons and dealing with personnel (Jas. 2:9) The Second Commandment


Slide14: See also 1 Jn. 2:7-8; 2 Jn. 5-6. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.' The New Commandment


Slide15: Christian librarians should . . . emulate Christ’s love in their dealings with Christian patrons, colleagues, and superiors (John 13:34) seek unity among genuine Christians (John 13:34-35) give a positive witness to unbelievers (John 13:35) The New Commandment


Slide16: Christian librarians should . . . refrain from sexual harassment and other forms of immorality (Rom. 13:9) Back Sexual Integrity


Slide17: Christian librarians should . . . avoid violence in the workplace (Rom. 13:9) Back Conflict Resolution


Slide18: Christian librarians should . . . practice integrity of speech and action (Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:15) Back Honesty andamp; Integrity


Slide19: Christian librarians should . . . balance the practice of liberty with a sense of social responsibility (Rom. 13:10; Gal. 5:13) Back Freedom andamp; Responsibility


Slide20: Christian librarians should . . . serve patrons, colleagues, and superiors with a motive of love (Gal. 5:13) Back Loving Service


Slide21: Christian librarians should . . . refrain from discrimination when serving patrons and dealing with personnel (Jas. 2:9) Back Impartiality


Slide22: Christian librarians should . . . emulate Christ’s love in their dealings with Christian patrons, colleagues, and superiors (John 13:34) Back Imitation of Christ’s Love


Slide23: Christian librarians should . . . give a positive witness to unbelievers (John 13:35) Back Christian Identity


Slide24: Christian librarians should . . . seek unity among genuine Christians (John 13:34-35) Back Christian Unity