Freedom, Justice, and Hope: Toward a Strategy for the Poor and the Oppressed

As a somewhat different look at poverty and what Christians ought to be doing to help those in need, this book was definitely eye-opening. The authors base their statements on the "Villars Statement on Relief and Development," an incredibly compassionate document every deacon, at least, ought to read. I rather think Christians in general ought to read it. Perhaps this will enable Christians to do the important work of helping those in need, and thus get the government out of doing so. Interestingly, another book in this series, "Prosperity and Poverty" by E. Calvin Beisner, illustrates that the problem of poverty in the United States isn't nearly as large as many people think it is, nor is the church at all incapable of dealing with it. Together, then, there is really no excuse for Christians not helping the poor and the oppressed. Recommended!