Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action

by Mae Elise Cannon

Throughout history, Christians have been called by God to active engagement in society on behalf of the poor and oppressed. Christian leaders have been instrumental in caring for people who are poor, fighting injustice and advocating for social change. But they have never done so on their own power. Their energy and zeal were fueled by inner spiritual practices that propelled them forward into the world. Activist and historian Mae Elise Cannon explores the direct connection between Christians' personal relationship with God and outward actions of kindness, mercy, compassion and advocacy. She looks at how notable Christian leaders were able to face societal challenges because of the rich depths of their spiritual practices. For Biographical profiles of these and other key figures from around the world give us concrete examples of how activism and advocacy can be sustained over the long haul. Cannon also describes modern-day activists who embody the synergy of faith and action, with practical lessons for our own lives. Find yourself spiritually transformed by these examples, and follow in their footsteps in just service to the world.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Religion, Social Justice, Spirituality, Justice, Politics

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2012

About the author

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. She is an author, speaker, and advocate who cares deeply about God's heart for the poor and the oppressed.

She is the author of Beyond Hashtag Activism (IVP, May 2020); co-editor of Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice (IVP, 2019); editor of A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land (2017); author of Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World (IVP, 2009) and Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVP, 2013); and co-author of Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (Zondervan, 2014).

Cannon is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Her ministry and professional background includes serving as the Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach for World Vision-US, the executive pastor of Hillside Covenant Church (Walnut Creek, California), Director of Development and Transformation for Extension Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church (Barrington, Illinois), and as a consultant to the Middle East for child advocacy issues for Compassion International. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, CNN, Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, Leadership Magazine, The Christian Post, Jerusalem Post, EU Parliament Magazine, Huffington Post, and other international media outlets.

She received her first doctorate in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine and her second doctorate in Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Northern Theological Seminary. Cannon holds an M.Div. From North Park Theological Seminary, an M.B.A. from North Park University's School of Business and Nonprofit Management, and an M.A. in bioethics from Trinity International University. Cannon completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Chicago in History, Philosophy, Social Studies, of Science and Medicine.

Reviews

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his wonderful book Generous Justice, Tim Keller makes the case that for those who have truly experienced the unmerited grace of God, their lives will naturally be marked by a passion for pursuing justice. But the Christian life is “a long obedience in the same direction,” as Eugene Peterson famously put it (borrowing from Nietzsche), and doing justice as a way of life doesn’t just happen automatically. So what are the spiritual practices that will shape us and sustain us? Mae Elise Cannon, whose work with World Vision focuses on advocacy and outreach in the Middle East, offers some answers in her new book, Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVP). Those answers come in the way of mini-biographies of Christians from around the world who have worked for justice and social change over the long haul – fueled by spiritual disciplines...

- See more at: http://tjhoiland.com/wordpress/2013/0...

[Guthrie Veech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this book were excellent, other parts less exciting. Interesting living out my library in the 70’s, 80’s with some of these faith leaders. Somewhat of a history of social action in Christianity. And how can you please everybody on this topic, often they have trouble supporting each other.

[Chauncey Lattimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the “Introduction” to the book, Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action, Mae Elise Cannon provides the foundational thesis from which she derives the title for her book: “Just Spirituality presents the case that the practice of disciplines—such as silence, prayer, study, community, worship, Sabbath, and submission—provide the fuel by which people are inspired to make a difference in the world.” (11)
The book was an enjoyable read, making use of extensive footnotes as well as explanatory notes to facilitate the flow of the text. The author incarnates her thesis by utilizing a biological sketch of seven notable Christian leaders (Mother Teresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Watchman Nee, Martin Luther King Jr., Fairuz, Desmond Tutu, and Oscar Romero) and a corresponding “contemporary person who practices that discipline.” In this way she is able to provide historical and living examples of the way in which the various disciplines lead to appropriate engagement. Regarding the overall structure, each chapter also contains distinct guidelines for practicing the discipline. For those interested, the book is also conducive to small group work, since it includes as an addendum a “Study Guide” that features from six to nine discussion-oriented questions for each of the eight chapters.
The focus of the book is on what Cannon sees as a correlation between a spiritual discipline and social action: “There is a direct correlation between one’s relationship with God and actions of kindness, mercy, compassion and justice. The practice of spiritual disciplines empowers and equips Christians to better engage with society and exercise justice.” (12) Chapters 1-7 discuss the way in which each of the ‘Christian leaders’ were fueled by a spiritual discipline. Her subtitles for each chapter identify both the discipline and the social action: Mother Teresa – From Silence to Service; Dietrich Bonhoeffer – From Prayer to Discipleship; Watchman Nee – From Study to Evangelism; Martin Luther King Jr. – From Community to Proclamation; Fairuz – From Worship to Freedom; Desmond Tutu – From Sabbath to Reconciliation; and, Oscar Romero – From Submission to Martyrdom.
In the words of Cannon, the flow from discipline to action is a cyclical process involving “recursive disciplines.”
Engagement in spiritual practices leads to Christ-centered action through works of justice such as service, discipleship and reconciliation. At the same time, justice-oriented action also leads back to reflection through spiritual practices such as silence, prayer, and study. (15)
One of the strengths of the book is that Cannon recognizes that successful social activism needs the empowering of faith; it is the disciplines that “provide the framework by which true and lasting change can occur” (175). Spirituality needs to be understood as a “mechanism” that takes us back to the work of God in our souls and the world. She continually returns to the need to be students of the Word who are open to the working of God: “As Christians seek to live out the gospel in the world, the disciplines keep us on track and allow the transforming power of God to work in our lives” (186).

[Adriane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice foundational book, but a little bit generic. I don't know that I learned that much new information about any of the biographies, and the spiritual disciplines were also pretty standardly explained. I can read the outline of how to practice lectio divina elsewhere (like the cited Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, which I've already read). There was to much restated material for me. But might be a good primer book for social action in a setting where not much work has been done on spiritual disciplines.

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting attempt to explore the spiritual disciplines and practices of well known Christian leaders (Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, MLK, Romero, Bonhoeffer, etc), but was uneven. Had some real good sections (esp Mother Teresa and Bonhoeffer) and others that seemed way too shallow. I have written a review that will come out soon in an upcoming issue of PRISM magazine. Check it out.

[Tim Stafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of practical and inspirational examples.

[Bob Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was once controversial for evangelical Christians to care for social justice. Vestiges of a war between the fundamentalists and the modernists in the 20th Century made it out that you either cared for the salvation of people, or you cared for the social conditions under which they lived. Even though there were those who made the case that it should not be viewed this way, people like Carl Henry and John Stott said it had to be a both/and, not an either/or. But I remember that in the 1990s and early 2000s, conservative Christians were still suspicious of anybody saying anything about social justice.

Thankfully, many Christians in the next generation believe that deep devotion to abiding in Christ actually leads to a deep devotion to caring for what Christ called the “least of these.”

There have been Christians throughout history who have been called by God to societal activism on behalf of the poor and oppressed. And the power in which they did so was found in their inner faith practices that connected them intimately with God through Christ and His Spirit.

As both a historian and a Christian advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East, Mae Cannon explores the connection between Christians' personal relationship with God and their outward actions for social Justice.

I especially enjoyed the chapters on Mother Teresa and her devotion to the practice of to silence, Martin Luther King’s life in community, Desmond Tutu’s dedication to Sabbath, and Oscar Romero’s submission to the cross of Christ.

Cannon also offers contemporary examples for each practice and at the end of each chapter a section on praxis - guiding the reader into some ideas for incorporating the faith practices in his or her life.