Christianity Today

Let Justice Roll Down John Perkins (Regal)

This classic documents the riveting story and enduring principles of one of the greatest heroes of the civil rights era. Despite little formal education, Perkins combines practical theology, a deep understanding of grace, and keen insights on the essential elements of community development.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity Ronald J. Sider (Thomas Nelson)

Sider's 1977 book was a prophetic call for evangelical Christians to make a radical commitment to end global poverty. His appeal to Scripture moved a generation of Christians to believe loving poor people is inherent to following Jesus Christ.

The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good William Easterly (Penguin)

Easterly, a secular economist, demonstrates that good intentions are not enough. Improper incentives and inadequate information plague most attempts at poverty alleviation, with profound implications for Christian efforts.

To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City Mark R. Gornik (Eerdmans)

Combining theology, social science research, and grassroots experience, Gornik narrates how the New Song Church in Baltimore created one of the premier examples of Christian community development in the U.S.

Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development Bryant L. Myers (Orbis Books)

Arguing that poverty is fundamentally relational rather than material, Myers critiques the standard Western approaches and provides an essential handbook for pursuing transformational development for both the rich and the poor.

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Related Elsewhere:

Let Justice Roll Down, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, The White Man's Burden, To Live in Peace, and Walking with the Poor are available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers. Brian Fikkert's When Helping Hurts is also available.

Previous Christianity Today articles on poverty include:

An Obligation to Remember Eternally? | Resentment, even in the name of justice, is not for those who expect God's final reconciliation. (May 18, 2007)

Centering on Poverty | A coalition of the Right and Left launches a new project to reduce poverty. (February 17, 2009)

How We Fight Poverty | U.N. Millennium Development Goals are good—as far as they go. (December 5, 2007)

Can We Defeat Poverty? | Unless Africa tames corruption, new aid efforts will fail. (September 26, 2005)

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