Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World (Paperback)

by Gary A. Haugen (Author) "I REMEMBER LOOKING UP FROM MY NEWSPAPER DURING MY BUS ride to work one morning in the fall of 1994 and finding everything oddly in..." (more)
Key Phrases: public justice professionals, perpetrator accountability, bonded servitude, International Justice Mission, Jesus Christ, United Nations (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A book of prophetic and vital significance. Haugen has pioneered in a field where Christians should be at the forefront." -- —Philip Yancey, author of What's So Amazing About Grace? and Soul Survivor

"Gary Haugen's splendidly written book is a time bomb...reading the book and doing nothing about it will be impossible." -- —Michael Cassidy, founder and international team leader, African Enterprise

"The contents of this book will inspire us all to take action. It will change the reader and the world." -- Dan Haseltine, lead singer, Jars of Clay

"This is an important book on a neglected topic. . . . Its biblical teaching...and practical advice give the basis for hope." -- —Moody

"This is not comfortable, but it is essential reading for us all." -- —Dr. Clive Calver, president, World Relief

Review
"I defy anybody to emerge from exposure to this book unscathed. In fact, my advice to would-be readers is 'Don't! Leave the book alone!'--unless you are willing to be shocked, challenged, persuaded and transformed." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830822240
• ISBN-13: 978-0830822249
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,657 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Social Implications of the gospel, November 30, 1999

By	"brucegrr" (Alvordton, OH USA) - See all my reviews

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!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An overdue treatment of a pressing topic, May 10, 2000

By	A.F. Karamazov (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clarion call to all Christians to wake up to global issues of injustice, August 28, 2006

By	Dan Panetti "Worldview Director" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!