Copyright: 2008
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 9780830834945
The author of Just Courage: God's Great Expedition for the Restless Christian, was a lawyer for the Justice Department working in the Civil Rights division in the 1990's. He also was the director of the United Nations genocide investigation in Rwanda. In 1997 he left all that behind to step out in faith to start a non-profit organization to seek justice around the globe. International Justice Mission now has 14 field offices around the world and over 300 people on staff, 90% of whom are nationals in the country in which they serve. This book is Haugen's call to action for Christians around the world and particularly in America to bravely answer God's call to seek justice for those in need.
Notes
The premise of the book is simple: God didn't put us on earth to work jobs and sit on our couches while evil oppresses. If we want to enjoy Christianity to the fullest we must leave the safety and comfort of our white picket fence life and face the calling.
God's call can be summed up from Isaiah 1:17.
- Seek Justice
- Rescue the oppressed
- Defend the orphan
- Plead for the widow
Three historical examples of justice fighters that Haugen pointed to were:
- William Sheppard
- Donaldina Cameron
- Irena Sendlerona
Below is just a scattering of notes I wrote in my journal as I read.
- Haugen was influenced by John Stuart Mill's essay "On Liberty" in which he used Christianity as an example of people who talk about things but don't really believe them.
- How far do most Christians go? As far as we feel safe and in control.
- God's power in our weakness does not require us to give up our strength. Rather it requires us to undertake tasks that are greater than our strengths so that we must rely on God.
- To answer the question "Now What?" in Christianity we must answer the question "For What? (purpose)"
- Why don't we answer the call?
- We do not choose the path, we simply choose whether or not to go down the path.
- Injustice == Abuse of power
- Violence is different than other felt needs
- It is intentional
- It is scary
- It leaves deep scars
- Violence has secrets to breaking it's grip
- Perpetrators of violence are not that brave
- Predators are afraid of the truth
- Oppressors of the poor are afraid of jail
- We always want to ask "Who is my neighbor?" but Jesus wants to ask "Are you loving your neighbor?"
- God doesn't call us to try to be brave, He calls us to train to be brave.
- We must choose Success or Significance?
Conclusion
Haugen's lawyer-like presentation of the subject matter and his direct call to action were very appealing to me in reading this book. If you want to be challenged to think outside of your neat boxed-in life, pick up this book and have a read.