There are a few folks reading With Justice For All by John Perkins. This blog would serve as a good place for some conversation around that. Charles Colson writes a foreword to the book, and I'd like to share a few of his paragrahs below. If you haven't read anything of Perkins', I highly recommend you do.
"If effective, deep-seated change is to come to our nation today, it will come only through the leadership of Christians- not as a political force, but as a network of believers sharing the reconciliating love of Jesus Christ and the power of His gospel to meet the gamut of men and women's moral, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
As we see the power of that gospel communicated through the believing hearts and practical actions of Christians ministering in the weak places of our society, we will see committed Christian fellowships growing among the poor and oppressed in our ghettos, reconciliation between black and white in our cities, healing of the broken within our prisons. Though it may seem to be foolishness to the world, it will be from the ranks of the powerless that the powerful see the work of Christ.
As John Perkins makes clear, this work begins with you and me. As we ourselves have feasted on the good news, we must in turn proclaim liberty to the captives and justice to the oppressed. As Christ ministers through us, then we will begin to see healing in our land- not through government programs or distant relief funds, but by rolling up our shirt sleeves, taking on the concerns of the needy and sharing in their sufferings. This is the model Christ gives us- and it is leaders like John Perkins who show the excellence of their leadership by focusing our eyes on Christ. "
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