Customer Reviews

Good News About Injustice Youth Edition : A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Haugen shows very clearly that the gospel includes social action. Scriptures requires the believer to act justly and to seek justice for all. Haugen shows that we can not sit idly by while other human beings are oppressed by people of power. Haugen calls on us to have a full orbed understanding of the gospel and reminds us of what every Christian is called to do......seek justice!

Haugen is the president of the International Justice Mission, an incredible organization that seeks to demonstrate the compassion and justice of God in nations around the world. The book is first and foremost a defense of this concept - that we, as followers of Christ and children of God, serve a compassionate God who is concerned with and passionate about the particular travesties of injustice in every corner of the globe. Haugen takes the reader through dozens of scriptural passages and principles to make his point and leaves the reader asking what they can do to make a difference in the world.

Haugen next gives the reader not only a bird's eye view of the various injustices across the globe, but also a very personal look at several severe situations of injustice where IJM has made a difference in the lives of real people. Haugen calls for the body of Christ to be a body of action, engaged in various efforts to promote justice and compassion for the lost and hurting. A strategy is presented for the interested, but the primary thrust of the action is done through the channels of organizations like IJM who are already established and connected with resources to assist.

The book is an excellent read for any person who either is ignorant of the conditions of others across the globe or is questioning the concept that one person can't really make a difference. IJM is an outstanding ministry and opportunity for Christians everywhere to use their God-given time, talents and treasure to defend the defenseless. Micah 6:8 is a favorite verse of many and it reminds the follower of Christ what the Lord has told us is important in life - to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. Justice is obviously a key component of God's character and must be a key facet of the ministry of God's people here on earth as a demonstration of His nature and goodness in this lost and dying world. Good News about Injustice is a great reminder of this principle meant to shake a self-absorbed culture from its comfortable La-Z-Boy rocker!

In this book Haugen has given us a small taste of our God's advocacy of those who suffer at the hands of illegitimate authority. It is an excellent introduction to the topic for those just starting out, pointing out from Holy Scripture that God hates injustice, and from raw experience of this world's evil that that injustice persists. This book is long overdue, and I hope and pray that many like it will follow.

Compared with the publisher's blurbs, however, I must say that I found the book somewhat disappointing. For those of us working in situations of injustice around the world, the book did not really come across nearly as hard-hitting as the publisher would have us believe. I haven't seen the video yet; maybe it is better. But the book by itself, while it is supremely hopeful, does not capture the poignancy of situations in such a way that would really motivate the reader to action. Perhaps Haugen is relying on TV news broadcasts to do that.

The final chapter, "The Body of Christ in Action," is well-written, and shows some of the important ways that the whole Church can become involved in seeking justice for the oppressed. It deserves a careful reading, even by those who don't feel qualified to work out in the field.

With the crisis in Kosovo serving as the latest example of how millions of people in our world continue to suffer at the hands of unjust rulers, this book delivers a powerful and practical message about how individual Christians can (and must!)take an active part in fighting injustice. The author does a great job of pointing out that, even though the fight against injustice can sometimes appear to be an overwhelming lost cause, a look at our own American history shows that Christians have played key roles in righting such wrongs as slavery, forced prostitution and child abuse. This is an excellent and important book.

As a missionary who started work in Manila in 1976 and am now working in Nairobi, I read with keen interest the account of this lawyer who has sought to bring his legal skills into the work of the kingdom of God, a kingdom of justice (Matthew 6:33).

I cannot recommend this book too highly to those who wish to be informed about injustice and given a sense of hope for justice in the world.

Gary Haugen's book on social justice is a beautiful treatise on why Christians need to care for the poor, impoverished, and abused. He does a great job of mixing stories from his life with Scripture to inspire others to take a risk and stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves.

This is an excellent book for anyone to gain a basic or deeper understanding of what justice is, why we need to care about justice, and how to make a difference for the lives of individuals around the world in unjust situations.

As early as the preface, Haugen shows his heart for justice issues and acknowledges that he is only a small part in the work of justice. He needs you and me and all the people at International Justice Mission and in other helping organizations.

Haugen begins with honesty about his feelings and emotions as he began justice ministry, and turns it to a challenge for the reader to step out of American suburbia complacency. He then moves on to found motivations for justice in the Bible, and to poignantly describe the heart of God for the justice of his people.

Then he describes the "anatomy of injustice" and explains how oppressors work, and what we can stop them. He gives hundreds of examples throughout the book, mostly of the work of lawyers within IJM to seek out justice for those enslaved to child labor, held captive in brothels, or victims of genocide.

I have also read Haugen's "Just Courage," and would describe it as a plea for comfortable suburban Christians to step out and get involved in justice issues. While "Good News" does the same, "Good News" also takes on justice issues at a deeper level and includes more about the biblical basis for justice and more about how you can be involved on a bigger level.

Overall, Haugen has much experience in working with justice issues around the world and will grip your heart with stories of oppression and liberation, pleading with you to join the cause. Read this in a room where you can cry, and make sure to read the first chapters carefully so that you will be well-founded in the Word of God and tips about how to circumvent compassion fatigue.

Faced with depressing realities on a global scale, many of us simply retreat into our own little world --- resolving to be kind to our kids, gentrify our own neighborhoods, and be good churchgoers. These activities are inherently fine to a point, yet they do not address the broader difficulties.

Haugen's book is a call to action, which we have heard before. What's different this time is that Haugen quantifies exactly what kinds of action we can take, and why such actions matter. With cutting-edge stories and keen insight into the reasons behind our inactivity, Haugen gets us up out of our La-Z-Boys and out into the streets.

Among this book's best features are the historical reminders that many of the most powerful social changes in North America are a direct result of Christ-followers engaging a broken culture and making a difference. From public schools to hospitals and beyond, some of our culture's best ideas flow from persons of faith, actively engaged in transforming society.

Note to persons of faith: now it's your turn.

Dr. David Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Author of: Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent

In the book good news about injustice, the author Gary A. Haugen describes numerous areas of injustice that we are faced with in the world today. Although he talks on heavy subjects there are many stories of hope in what seem to be hopeless situations. This book will not only challenge you to do something about the countless problems of injustice, but will also paint a picture of how just one person can make a difference in the lives of others. As followers of Christ God says, "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17 NASB). After reading this book I highly recommend it, along with answering the questions he asks in appendix 1. It will inspire and motivate you to go out and make a difference in this hurting world.

Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen is a radically life-changing book. Gary shares some of his life stories which paint a picture of how unjust humans are. It not only showed me more of the injustices that have and are happening in the world but also how we as human beings can help fight against injustice! After reading this book I am now more dedicated and I believe injustices will be at the from of my mind when I go "on a mission trip to Albania dealing with injustices of the Roma Gypsies."* Just as God has called all of us to fight against injustice I am calling you and asking, will you read this book to revive the spirit inside you that will fight to change injustice?

*Quoted from Zack Austins book review.