Synopses & Reviews
A resurgence of the Social Gospel is energizing many evangelicals, but what does the Bible say about the role of humanitarian works in the Christian life? As new covenant believers, Christians are called to a specific central task: to be ministers of God's message of salvation for sinners. At the same time, the New Testament justifies nearly every concern of the revitalized Social Gospel. Care for the poor and needy, reconciliation of social and racial divisions, and nurture for the sick and abused -- all can be biblical and Christ-honoring activities.
Ryan Dobson and Christian Buckley have a message for believers on either side of the battle lines hardening around today's Social Gospel. To those on the Religious Left, they say: "e;Don't forget that Jesus Christ died to save sinners, not to bring about political change."e; To those on the Religious Right, they say: "e;Don't forget that Jesus spent much of his time helping the sick, the poor, and the needy."e; A corrective and a call to action all in one, Humanitarian Jesus shows that evangelism and good works coexist harmoniously when social investment is subservient to and supportive of the church's primary mission of worship, evangelism, and discipleship.
In accessible and non-academic style, Dobson and Buckley outline the biblical case for humanitarian concern. They also engage the topic through interviews with leading Christian thinkers, activists, and humanitarian workers -- including Franklin Graham, Gary Haugen, Ron Sider, Tony Campolo, and many more -- seeking to define a broadly biblical approach to good works that all Christians can join hands around.
Synopsis
In an accessible and non-academic style, Buckley and Dobson outline the biblical case for social and humanitarian investment and engage the topic through interviews with leading Christian thinkers, activists, and humanitarian workers.
Synopsis
As new covenant believers, Christians are called to a specific task: to go and make disciples of all nations. Simultaneously, the New Testament justifies nearly every concern of the revitalized Social Gospel. Care for the poor and needy, nurture for the sick and abused, and social and racial reconciliation-all can be biblical and Christ-honoring activities.
As battle lines harden around today's Social Gospel, Humanitarian Jesus issues a corrective and a call to action, showing that evangelism, and good works co-exist harmoniously when social investment is subservient to and supportive of the church's primary mission of worship, evangelism and discipleship.
Through interviews with leading Christian thinkers, activists, and humanitarian workers -- including Franklin Graham, Gary Haugen, Ron Sider, and Tony Campolo, -- Dobson and Buckley engage the topic, seeking to define a broadly biblical approach to good works all Christians can join hands around.
About the Author
CHRISTIAN BUCKLEY is a husband, father, lawyer, entrepreneur, non-profit leader, writer, and follower of Christ. He holds a Bachelor¿s degree from the University of California, Irvine, and a J.D. from UCLA. After leaving a successful corporate law practice behind to embark on a practical pursuit of discipleship, Christian founded thinkmoretruth.com, a platform where he hopes to inspire people to think and live outside the lines in devotion to Christ. He is also the co-founder of Glue Network and runs Covered Images, Inc. Christian lives in San Diego, California with his wife and children.
RYAN DOBSON is the founder of KOR ministries and the author of four books, incuding Be Intolerant. Through his podcasts, speaking engagements, and books, Dobson seeks to call Christians deeper into the ultimate adventure of following Christ.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part One: In Search of the Humanitarian Jesus
1. Is Doing Good, Good Enough?
2. Socializing the Gospel
3. Three Truths
4. Last-Breath Equality
5. Gospel-Rooted Humanitarianism
6. Go Forth and Conquer
Part Two: The Interviews
Introduction
1. Ron Sider (president, Evangelicals for Social Action)
2. David Batstone (founder and president, Not For Sale)
3. Mark Batterson (pastor, National Community Church in Washington, D.C.)
4. Tony Campolo (president, Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education)
5. Jerry Wiles (president, Living Water International)
6. Jim Moriarty (CEO, Surfrider Foundation)
7. Gilbert Lennox (pastor and cofounder, Glenabbey Church of Belfast)
8. Franklin Graham (president and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse)
9. Gary Haugen (president and CEO, International Justice Mission)
10. Rusty Pritchard (co-founder and president, Flourish)
11. Francis Chan (teaching pastor, Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley, CA)
12. Brad Corrigan (founder and president, Love Light & Melody)
13. Isaac Shaw (executive director, Delhi Bible Institute)
14. Bryan Kemper (founder and president, Stand True Ministries)
15. Mike Yankoski (community member, The Ranch)
Acknowledgments
Notes