Just Courage: God's Great Expedition for the Restless Christian

by Gary A. Haugen

"There must be more to the Christian life than this--more than church each Sunday and waving to my neighbors and giving some clothes to Goodwill when I go through my closet each spring." These aren't bad things, of course. But they're safe and comfortable and easy. And there's a reason they're not satisfying your desire for something more significant and meaningful--we're created by God for adventure. International Justice Mission president Gary Haugen has found that engaging in the fight for justice is the most deeply satisfying way of life. This book shows how we too can be a part of God's great expedition.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Social Justice, Christianity, Christian Living, Theology

150 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Gary A. Haugen is founder and CEO of International Justice Mission, a human rights organization based in Washington, DC. Prior to founding IJM he worked in the civil rights division of the US Department of Justice and was director of the United Nations genocide investigation in Rwanda. He is also the author of Good News About Injustice (IVP).

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is in ministry I'm always on the lookout for good books to read with or recommend to others. Just Courage is now THE book I would choose if I wanted to introduce other Christians to the Biblical call to justice. It is powerful, well-written, and theologically on point. Haugen weaves together stories from the ministry of International Justice Mission, Biblical teaching, and a compelling call to courageous obedience of God. There are probably better books for people who already believe in the Biblical call to justice and are familiar with the work of IJM. But even they will likely enjoy this book as I did. As for the audio recording the reader did a good job, though occasionally the tone struck me as a bit over-enthusiastic.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would we rather be safe or be brave? This study makes you think deeply about the question and what it means for the Christian. Haugen is a lawyer and he is passionate about justice. So is our creator. He gives a very clear definition of what the word justice means. I think it is a bibical one at that. He also points out without righteouness, there is no justice. Sometimes the world cries justice, but without righteouness. Haugen is part of an organization that gets deep into the world of organized crime freeing those caught up in the slave trade. It is horrifying and heart breaking what is happening. Justice takes courage. The restless in our hearts may be due to lack of courage and more about being safe. We are not called to safe living but brave living. For fighting justice, not be on the defensive side but on the offensive. You will hear of wonderful stories of those freed and given justice. So many are not.

So the question remains, do we be safe living in our comfortable homes, or do we be brave and getting into the trenches of our ugly world. Their are opportunities locally and global. When we choose brave over safe, we see God working in ways we miss when we are safe.

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. The push to enact Christianity as part of the Social Gospel is an old one and maybe a tired one. Haugen's push, though is different. He isn't asking God to sign off on what enlightened people who happen to be nominal Christians have come up with, he is rooted deeply in God's expression of His character through His Word and sees the fight for social justice as an extension of that.

This fight, he argues, will spread the Gospel at phenomenal speed by SHOWING the love of Jesus to those who most need to see it and His power to the entrenched evil of the world. As no small matter, he also says that Christians who engage in this fight as an expression of where God's heart is will live in power and freedom like they have never experienced because we will be fighting the battles we are wired to fight in God's strength He loves to display.

[Paul Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I feel challenged by a book, it is always time to give it 5 stars. God has called us to an exciting life that is filled with joy and blessing, but not comfort. When we would rather be comfortable than obedient to do what is right, it will surely backfire on us. God calls us to be courageous in the darkness. After all, we are light and we expose the darkness for what it is. Let's go!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Haugan is an inspiration.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very disappointing. I read it for a book club...and therefore I stuck with it even though I would have preferred to find as better use of my time.
The author should have allowed the real-life stories to exemplify his idea of modern courage. Instead, I felt he used analogies, anecdotal stories and biblical references to 'guilt the reader' into moving out of what he calls 'safe' into an area of 'courage and bravery'. (As if those who live in safety are equated with cowards ~my words, not his.)
Three things that really bothered me:
1) I felt his biblical references were often used out-of-context.
2) I felt the author never acknowledged that the Lord could be using the average Christian (and his/her gifts) in their current sphere of influence, and thus they could be making a difference for God's kingdom. In contrast, I felt the author was 'shaming us' into feeling that we are not serving God unless we get out into International areas of injustice... and thus, he didn't leave room for those who are serving the Lord as parents, plumbers, teachers, politicians, media professionals, social workers, nurses, bankers, etc.
3) This book felt like a sales pitch for IJM. The author could have furthered IJM's cause by writing more about IJM's successful work and less about how the reader should join their cause.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the challenge of Haugen to fully incorporate following Jesus into our life. The call to adventure in following God into a more just and loving world is well worth the time to read this well written book.

[Diana Muresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary challenge to be a part of the justice movement. I love that it ends with several easy and empowering ways we can each encourage justice with. Reminded me that I'm a force! As Americans we have so much power to be a part of good change!

[Rosicruz Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the story in the first chapter. It’s become an image in my mind: we’d much rather be climbing alongside the Father, sweating and facing icy cold winds, than be stuck in a visitor center watching animated recordings over and over again.

I have many friends who aspire to be like Paul — enduring all kinds of suffering, working for God, and dying early to be with the Lord. To them, that’s the ultimate goal.

They’re like kids trapped in the visitor center, with no saints or witnesses to emulate, only seeing the one example from the past two thousand years — Paul. But I think Paul’s life and mission are impossible to copy exactly, and his mindset isn’t necessarily the “correct answer” either.

Sorry, I’ve gone off-topic. Back to the book. The author proposes a solution: IJM (International Justice Mission), to help free people still enslaved today and rescue those who are victims of sexual exploitation.

Compared to traditional church charities — like distributing supplies, providing education, or evangelism — IJM’s work is definitely different. It’s rooted in the biblical call for justice but also partly influenced by liberation theology that emerged in the last century.

However, I feel the author’s discussion of the Bible and God's character is a bit weak; they might need to bring in more expert insights for those chapters. The book also mentions two saints from past eras who led movements to end slavery. But I didn’t quite see how they connect to IJM; those parts feel a bit rushed. It would be better if the author focused more on what IJM has already accomplished and the role they’ve played in those efforts.

[Emily Fromke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haugen starts this book by describing a passage from John Stuart Mill's, "On Liberty" that he read as a freshman in college. The quote, criticizing Christians, reads, "The sayings of Christ coexist passively in their minds, producing hardly any effect beyond what is caused by mere listening to words so amiable and bland." My freshman year at Wheaton College I also read "On Liberty" and had written out this quote on a notecard and posted it on my dorm room wall because it convicted me so. How could I listen to the Word of God, words of eternal life, and still act as if I'd never heard the truth? "Just Courage" encourages Christians to examine their beliefs, such as "blessed are the poor and humble; it's better to give than receive; judge not, lest you be judged; love your neighbor as yourself etc." and ask whether or not their actions and their lives reflect these beliefs. Mill calls out Christians for their hypocrisy when they do not live as they preach they ought to live (with the exception of the compliments he gives to the early Church — believers who were martyred for their faith). Haugen challenges Christians to live out their faith and take up the biblical calling to fight injustice. This is an excellent read. Don't read "Just Courage" if you're content to safely seek personal piety without regard for God's command to seek justice or without conviction that we reveal what we truly believe through our actions.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a decent book, and something I think a lot of Christians need to hear. We need to be involved in justice, and we need to have the courage to do God’s will in our world. The book makes it clear in a few places that it is written for an audience of middle class suburban Americans, and I think this is the book’s main problem. If you are in the target audience, of course you can travel the world to address injustice. But what about someone without the education and resources (privilege)? On the one hand, it could be argued they don’t need the call to courageous faith and dealing with injustice, because they face it all the time. On the other hand, I think a lot of people can find themselves not quite able to respond as this book asks, but also needing to find a more courageous faith that fights injustice. Still, for the target audience, this is a powerful call to a courageous faith.

[Danielle Shelton Walczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t say that this book will resignate with everyone. The price of entry for its understanding is based on a couple fundamental beliefs (or at least an openess to learn) about Christianity, and the importance of justice. If you’re in one of the two camps, this book will surprise you. It calls to carpet what the author Mr. Haugen believes is the hypocracy of the church and the people in it. The hyprocracy the church’s inactivity in the fight for justice for people of the world, which he argues is in direct contradiction to Jesus’ teaching. The other way this book will surprise you is in its honesty. Mr. Haugen easily explains the plethorias of fear we have of letting go of our “lives of quiet desparation” (-Henry David Thoreau), but doesn’t sugar coat the dangers in doing so-especially in the quest for justice. But in its end he explains why, despite what we may be telling ourselves, we’re equiped and able to do so. He doesn’t just give us example via his own journey, but that of others as well. I found this book to be the source of a personally contemplative, and revealing look at my external and internal beliefs. For those simple facts alone I recommend it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well-written and provided me with great inspiration to live my faith. It caused me to be introspective and evaluate whether I am living consistently with what I say I believe. I loved the question - would you rather be safe or be brave? - because you can't be both. Knowing that there is a growing problem with youth today in being hopeless and struggling with mental health issues, I wonder if more of us stepped out of our lives of comfort and safety and set the example of bravery... would they be more hopeful in addition to stepping out to help bring justice to those who have the greatest need? A quote the author made when I recently heard him speak at the Global Leadership Summit that stuck with me was... "Courage - like fear - is contagious."

[Wilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about the International Justice Mission's rescue outreach. Did you know that there are 27 million slaves in the world today? Heart wrenching! The appendix has practical steps for getting involved.
Isaiah 1:17 ~ "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Isaiah 58:10-11 ~ "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

[Grace McElmurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a book!!! everyone needs to read this book right now! it’s short and easy to read but dang it can pack a punch! this will easily be a continual read for me to recenter my heart on the Lord’s mission for justice that He has so clearly placed on my heart! so struck by how “a single life of courage” can be so crazily used by the Lord!

a favorite quote- “ And here is one choice that our Father wants us to understand as Christians - and i believe this is THE choice of our age: Do we want to be brave or safe? Gently, lovingly, our heavenly Father wants us to know that we simply cannot be both.”

i could go on and on about this book and have just felt so encouraged by the wisdom and courage God has given and grown inside Gary Haugen!!!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a self-help book--yet it probably contains the best advice one could receive for how to live a self-actualized life. Not a spiritual transformation book--yet, if I were to follow its principals, my life would be transformed spiritually for certain. Not a parenting book--but how I wish I'd read this with a bunch of parents back when my kiddo was still at home.

Great book. Not a hard read like one of Haugen's other books that I'm working on (The Locust Effect). Compelling. I'm not going to get my plane ticket for South Asia to go raid a brothel--but I am doing some serious praying about what my part is in "breaking the chains of injustice" as a participant in Christ's kingdom.

[Joshua Southard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it fascinating how some books wait for just the right time to jump into my life. Sometimes, like in this case, I’ve had this book on my list for years. I saw Haugen speak at the Global Leadership Summit a few years ago and added this book to my To-Read list back then. The timing was perfect to fit with The Water Keeper. Haugen is the leader of International Justice Mission (IJM) and this book holds some of his stories and defines what the non-profit is all about: Justice. I think we all know justice when we see it, but it can be hard to put words around it. So instead, they define injustice as the abuse of the power to take life, freedom, property, and dignity away from the weak. We have all seen this, and we all know it’s wrong. So, if we know what is wrong, what keeps us from acting? Typically, these four things contribute to inaction: Comfort, security, control, success. We don’t want to risk our comfort. Confronting powerful people to force justice can be dangerous. We don’t want to give up control and take risks. And typically, our culture does not reward helping the oppressed with accolades or financial success. Doing God’s will is in a fallen world is inherently dangerous. Speaking truth and helping the needy are dangerous. So, what can we expect instead, when we risk it all to seek justice on behalf of others? Haugen says we can expect adventure in ways that will make us come alive, exponential growth in our faith, miracles, and deep, personal knowledge of Jesus. Haugen also talks about how parenting is having your heart walking around in someone else body. I related to this. It’s how we can all relate to each other. Ultimately this book is a call to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God in faithfulness.

I recommend this book to men who are seeking to understand why God made them with a warrior spirit. 
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by David Cochran Heath)

[Matt McAlear · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 hour audio read. Nothing revolutionary in this book. The main concepts I got from it were to play offense and be active pushing outside of your comfort zone and be ready to give it all up for a higher calling. Other than those concepts he spends a lot of time talking about why IJM is a great organization (which it is). He also spends time at the end of the book to try to persuade you to get involved with IJM in some way. Quick read for a little reward I guess.

[Shellie Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging stuff. “If following Jesus does not feel dangerous, I should probably pause and check to see if it is Jesus I’m following.” What would the world be like if Christians wanted adventure, faith, miracles, and deep knowledge of Jesus instead of comfort, security, control (ouch), and success? Food for thought, and hopefully action.

[Erick Mowery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great question: Would you rather be safe or brave? Smart or brave? God’s call to be courageous and not comfortable is clear. And there are many people out there in developing countries and in the US who need Christians to be brave - the marginalized, the forgotten, the oppressed, widows, and the fatherless.

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gary Haugen is an inspiration; IJM is an incredible organization.

But this book was essentially a watered-down combination of "The Good News About Injustice" and "The Locust Effect." Each of those books is dramatically more compelling. I suppose this was written to convey the message to an audience that has no appetite for data or the graphic details of injustice. So reading "Just Courage" is better than not reading any of Haugen's books. But you are better off reading one of his others.

[Brandon Dillenback · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing what IJM does in the world of sex slavery and how they rely on Christ is inspiring. As Christians we aren’t called to be comfortable. Comfort, security, control, and success is hindering what Christian’s, including myself, can do in this world. Jesus did not live in luxury and neither should we. Great read!

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a founder of the respected International Justice Mission who has seen violent injustice firsthand and been part of many rescue operations. He uses story to bring awareness to various types of horrific injustice and offers practical ways one can be actively involved, even in small ways, in helping to set the captives free. He's not a fan of cultural or personal safety-ism.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes the will of God is scary because he is asking us to choose between a life that looks successful and a life that is actually significant, between a life that wins the applause of our peers and a life that actually transforms lives through love." p 119

[Aino · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Would you rather be safe than brave?"

So simple. So convicting. I want to be a part of the adventure that we're all called to as Christians. Even though it's scary. Even though it's risky. Because in the end, it is good. So very good.

[AJ Bourg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a single day. The stories are incredible, I️ was in near tears many times. If you feel like God has more in store for your life than your comfortable little life, you need to check this book out.

[Wayne Presnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a book building a case for their ministry of bringing justice to the oppressed around the world. Convincing argument from Scripture, history and experience. Interested in pursuing how Janine and I and/or our church can help their worthy effort.

[Sydney Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love hearing how non-profits are started. The leaders are often so humble and driven. This story is no different. Refreshing to know the success yet read about such reverent, God-honoring steps that have continuously been taken. Love the work of IJM all the more!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof. This is a real challenge to Christians. Gary’s analogy of how our lives can be so easily spent in the visitor centre rather than on the adventure for ourselves is a difficult one to read but one that demands serious introspection on how we are living our lives.

[Michelle Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I was a lawyer so I could work for IJM and fight injustice on a global scale