Practical Justice: Living Off-Center in a Self-Centered World

by Kevin Blue

You know the world is full of injustice. You know that God calls Christians to work for justice on the earth. But what can you do? Do you have questions like this? You're well-intended, but stuck in the rut of the everyday. You want to make your life matter. But you don't know where to start. You wonder about everything from whether to give a dollar to a beggar to how to participate in the political process, from whether to shop at Wal-Mart to how much to spend on a car. Kevin Blue has spent his adult life answering these questions for himself and for others. He lives in the heart of Los Angeles, where these questions can't be set aside. And he has led college students through experiences in urban ministry as well as international treks to the poorest parts of the world. In Practical Justice he combines what he has learned with the experiences of others to answer your questions. Right thinking. Right action. Just living. God calls you to step up and get involved. This book will help you get started.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Social Justice, Justice, Christianity

143 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2006

Reviews

[Lily Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, best book on social justice. Read it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book comes from an Evangelical Christian world view, but has much more on the systemic causes of poverty than other similar books. I love his gentle message that racism exists--clearly he's writing for a fragile white audience, but he still manages to say it cleary--racism exists. My objection to his chapter on "teach to fish" is that he presumes that all poor people don't know how to do things. He makes the point that poor people need to learn to *want* to work. I wonder what he thinks of people who choose to retire--are they also failing at doing what God wants for them? Or is it only poor people?
Still, overall this book gets at justice exactly as he says--with a practical theology that suggest we love people in need and figure out how to make the world better.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each time I read this, I feel like the book gets better. I gave it three stars not because it wasn't good, but because of the fact that it's so challenging. And it's hard to say you love a book that cuts so deep--especially in the sensitive arena of how one should spend their money.

The teaching on money, the wisdom of how to live a sustainable life of justice, and insight into the "different streams" of the Christian life were the highlights for me.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good primer for living a life of justice. Blue does a good job explaining the three levels of social action: 1. Giving a man a fish: Direct Relief, 2. Teaching a Man to Fish: Distributing Skills, 3. Fixing the Pond: Dealing with the System. He addresses the depth of our call to do justice beyond charity. He stretches an evangelical culture that until recent history has only taught the first level (charity)to go beyond this.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical Justice walks through Scripture to take a look at God's heart for justice and the oppressed. It's a worthwhile read for anyone desiring equipping in living simply and justly in American culture. Blue has an authoritative, direct teaching style that convicts and challenges the reader.

Chapter 4 (direct relief for the poor), chapter 5 (training and equipping the poor), and chapter 6 (addressing systemic issues that oppress the poor) are particularly illuminating.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked many concepts of justice that Blue talked about in the book. Although I don't agree with all of them, I can understand his perspective. It's a very inspiring book that will help you be introspective of your motivations.

[Aaron Wippold · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent primer into the Christian perspective on social and racial justice. It points to several other books to go more in depth on topics including racial justice and poverty.

[Leslee]

Really good intro to justice and what it means to be an advocate for justice in out communities. Really taught me a lot and I highly recommend it. Its a good overview and an easy read.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accessible book for thinking through the need to attend to justice. Great for young adults.

[Kelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lent to me by Chelsea since she knew I was also reading God in Politics and Out of the Flames.