Wiley-Blackwell has recently suspended publication of the Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization and ordered a full revision of the text, allegedly because of historical errors and, at times, extreme evangelical language. George T. Kurian, the editor of the encyclopedia says the publisher caved in to pressures from an "anti-Christian lobby" of academics who wanted the 4-volume publication to be less Christian. According to some scattered reports in the blogosphere (the mainstream press hasn't picked up on this yet), the encyclopedia, and particularly its introduction, contains some flaring passages against Islam. I haven't read the encyclopedia and so can't offer any specific comments, but if indeed this scholarly work is based on historical imprecisions and judgmental statements, then I'm deeply concerned about Blackwell's failure to proofread the text before publication and about the congratulatory endorsements from prominent scholars of religion.

Kurian apparently believes that it is expected of writers of an encyclopedia on Christianity to “look upon the positive things in Christianity rather than the negative things.” But does that mean that one should omit or doctor historical facts to achieve a positive portrayal of Christianity or anything else for that matter?

I will post more on this controversy as soon as I get more information...