Advocating for Justice - (Paperback)

About the Book

Provides theological rationale and strategies of action for evangelicals passionate about justice, showing them how to advocate for lasting change.

Book Synopsis

Christians are increasingly interested in justice issues. Relief and development work are important, but beyond that is a need for advocacy. This book shows how transforming systems and structures results in lasting change, providing theological rationale and strategies of action for evangelicals passionate about justice. Each of the authors contributes both academic expertise and extensive practical experience to help readers debate, discuss, and discern more fully the call to evangelical advocacy. They also guide readers into prayerful, faithful, and wise processes of advocacy, especially in relation to addressing poverty.

From the Back Cover

"This book respectfully equips evangelicals with a deep theology for advocacy that moves beyond just an identification of need. Instead, the authors embed the call to action in the nature of God, who yearns for justice. A welcome book at an opportune time."
--Sandra F. Joireman, University of Richmond; chair of the board of directors, Bread for the World

"Jesus spoke up on behalf of the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the voiceless. By offering clear biblical foundations, Advocating for Justice lights the path for Christians seeking to discern what it means to follow Jesus's example. It shows how wise advocacy practices can and should flow from authentic Christian discipleship and become part of evangelicals' broader witness to the good news in this world."
--Lynne Hybels, advocate for global engagement, Willow Creek Community Church

"This stellar book asserts that evangelicals are anemic with regard to structural evil. We don't know how to think about power, so we settle for strategies that are too simple. Yet we are animated by the God who both creates and conquers powers. Clear, orderly, theoretically rich, theologically vibrant, and full of examples, this book is a must-read."
--Miriam Adeney, Seattle Pacific University; author of Kingdom without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity

"I long for the church to put the poor at the center of its concern as a missional priority. Advocating for Justice helps us understand how we can engage in this vital work. This new book does not push confronting injustice to the periphery of our witness or advocate for justice simply because it's trendy. It will be a constant companion for those of us who love God and feel burdened to see his justice made visible in the world."
--Noel Castellanos, president and CEO, Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)

"A watershed book for anyone seeking to bring change, Advocating for Justice tackles the root causes of poverty, oppression, and injustice and offers both a theological and practical vision for overcoming the most intractable challenges of our day. I highly recommend it!"
--Stephan Bauman, president, World Relief

About the Author

Stephen Offutt (PhD, Boston University) is assistant professor of development studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. F. David Bronkema (PhD, Yale University) is interim dean of Palmer Theological Seminary at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy (MTS, Weston Jesuit School of Theology) is senior associate for national Catholic engagement at Bread for the World in Washington, DC. Robb Davis (PhD, Johns Hopkins University) is the mayor of Davis, California. Gregg Okesson (PhD, University of Leeds) is dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.