Redemptive Service - by Lisa P Stephenson & Ruthie Wienk

About the Book

Introduces students to Christian service, benevolence, and the pursuit of justice, showing how service to others is central to our identity and mission as Christians.

Book Synopsis

This book introduces readers to redemptive service, benevolence, and the pursuit of justice. Bringing together expertise in Christian theology and sociology, Lisa Stephenson and Ruthie Wienk write from the conviction that service to others--especially those who are disenfranchised and impoverished--is central to our identity and mission as Christians.

Redemptive Service articulates the biblical, theological, and sociological foundations of service and explains why it is an important part of true Christian identity. The authors use the parable of the good Samaritan to frame redemptive service as a twofold process. First, true Christian service must emerge from a genuine love of our neighbor, which can only come about when service emerges from a Christian worldview. Second, our vision must be accompanied by intentional and informed action. We must discern and respond to the cries for help that surround us through relief, development, and advocacy work.

The authors highlight why we should engage in service while providing readers with a framework to use when deciding whom to serve and how to serve well.

From the Back Cover

"Biblically rich, theologically robust, and sociologically informed"

Redemptive Service introduces readers to Christian service, benevolence, and the pursuit of justice, showing how service to others is central to our identity and mission as Christians.

"This is a profoundly theological-ethical book. Stephenson and Wienk succinctly explain three types of claims God has over all Christians to make them virtuous participants in his redemptive service. These claims are brilliantly interpreted as three distinct but interrelated forms of calling: general, missional, and direct. Through accessible and logical narratival arguments, the authors demonstrate that at the core of a flourishing Christian community is a symphonic plurality of callings that articulate the common good of God's kingdom."
--Nimi Wariboko, Boston University; author of The Pentecostal Hypothesis: Christ Talks, They Decide

"Stephenson and Wienk masterfully link the theological why and the practical how of Christian benevolence. Their theological insights are penetrating yet accessible; their poverty-reduction strategies are both loving (they embrace the imago Dei in those who suffer) and wise (they can move the needle on poverty indices). The book's biblical grounding is rich and consistent throughout. An invaluable resource for Christians exploring their vocational call in a broken world."
--Stephen Offutt, Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion

"What does misión integral and holistic mission look like in middle-class America to students at Christian colleges and universities in North America who are anticipating or discerning God's vocational call on their lives? Stephenson and Wienk have years of experience teaching in this environment and have written the perfect textbook on this topic, one that is biblically rich, theologically robust, and sociologically informed. The result is now the go-to volume for Christian relief, development, and advocacy efforts so needed by the church serving society in the next generation."
--Amos Yong, Fuller Theological Seminary

About the Author

Lisa P. Stephenson (PhD, Marquette University) is professor of systematic theology at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where she has served as director of the Benevolence Program for over a decade. During this time, she has led the university in its instruction to students on Christian service.

Ruthie Wienk (PhD, South Dakota State University) is associate professor of sociology and chair of the behavioral and social sciences department at Lee University, where she has been involved with the Benevolence Program for the past several years. She is active in local community development initiatives in Cleveland, Tennessee.