The Gospel as Social Revolution: The Role of the Church in the Transformation of Society

The 'good news' of Jesus, properly understood, will change the world. Scripture is filled with examples referring to God's heart for the poor and the desire that his people represent him as they live in community. Jesus was clear: Love God, love your neighbour as you love yourself. It is that simple, but so profound. We have separated the holistic teaching of Jesus into two categories: word and deed. This dualism has become the battleground from which the Evangelical movement has lost its passion for true mission. The Early Church 'added to their numbers day by day' as they lived lives of generous care for their neighbors. This is the church growth strategy that is guaranteed to succeed. This book grew out of research focused on helping the Church see its role in the transformation of society by caring for their neighbors in poverty. It is multi-disciplined in its approach, looking at Evangelical history to guide the present, Human Scale Development to assist strategy and a Socio-rhetorical examination of James 2 to anchor it all in Scripture. All in all, the goal is to encourage the church around the world to reach a lost world by holistically caring for its needs--physical and spiritual. The final chapter contains a church-based model for helping unemployed people in a South African township community that brings healing and hope and can help any church in any place with basic principles to bring social transformation. Church Leader, this is our moment. Maybe this is the encouragement you need to help your church become the instrument of transformation Jesus intended it to be?