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

Prepare to step off the well-trodden path of your spiritual journey, and take the road less traveled - one that's also far more rewarding! In this book, Gary Haugen, president of Justice Mission, shares what the organization is doing to protect victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other violent abuse. He'll also challenge you to do what you can to fight oppression and serve all of God's people.

Would you rather be safe or brave? Do you want to have a life that is successful or a life that is significant? Gary Haugen challenges Christians with these questions in Just Courage.

Gary Haugen is the founder of International Justice Mission, an organization that defends those who cannot defend themselves against injustice around the world—slaves, women and children imprisoned in brothels, the dispossessed, and the attacked.

Haugen sees a generation of Western Christians who are bored and dissatisfied with their Christian experience. Rejecting yesteryear’s pietism, they want something more. But they don’t know what that “more” is or how to reach it.

The author explains that “more” is found in following Jesus, and that it “is about loving people in need” (p. 116). Drawing on Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:10-11, and similar passages, Haugen defines justice from a biblical perspective, rejecting the popular Marxist redistributionist theory. Haugen notes that we can understand justice by looking at it its inverse, injustice, which is “the abuse of power—abusing power by taking from others the good things that God intended for them, namely, their life, liberty, dignity, or the fruits of their love or their labor” (p. 46).

Using examples of those who have followed Jesus in the fight for biblical justice in the past, those who are fighting injustice today, and the needs of victims, Haugen asserts that Christians can find significance in their lives as they join with Jesus in loving needy people. Though he presents the philosophical and theological arguments for promoting justice, this is not a dry theological tome. Rather it is an engaging, lively discussion based on the teachings of Jesus to inspire readers to venture outside their spiritual cul-de-sac into a world of pain and to make a difference.

Some groups will reject Haugen’s argument. Those who reject the teachings of Jesus as being relevant in this dispensation, will dismiss it. Those who embrace pietism will turn their backs on it, and those who want to look good in the world’s eyes will disdain it.

For those seeking “more” Christ, more meaning, in their Christian walk, Just Courage may hold the key for which they are searching. His appendices offer ways to partner with International Justice Mission, a list of other organizations involved in the issues of justice, and serious questions for reflection. – Debbie W. Wilson, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

"I dare you to read Gary Haugen without growing a bigger vision of God. He is a prophet in our day calling us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God." —John Ortberg, pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, and author of When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box

"Just Courage shines like exit-lighting, leading me out of the guilt-laden, often overwhelming conversations about what I should be doing, to the life-giving redemptive promises about my life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Gary Haugen speaks beautifully and directly to the truth that entering into justice work is not optional in the life of the believer, but is the realization of our deepest faith and desires to live lives of significance. The most important truth that I have taken from this book and from the work of IJM is this: the same suffering of others that caused me to question the goodness of God is now the conduit for truly understanding the goodness of God. There are profound aspects of his call and character that I cannot grasp, until I enter into the suffering of others." —Sara Groves, singer and songwriter

"Gary Haugen explores what it means to really care about those who suffer---and it isn't necessarily the path we might expect. We tend to think of soup kitchens and painting buildings as ways to express our compassion for those in need, but Gary makes a convincing argument that fighting for justice on behalf of the poor is a powerful, effective way to make a long-term difference in their lives. Don't miss this book!" —Kay Warren, executive director, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Saddleback Church

"Just Courage is a life-changing book. Gary Haugen's echo of God's call to a life of significance and adventure is irresistible. He places the fight for justice right where the Bible does: square in the middle of Christian discipleship. Every follower of Jesus should read this book and take action on behalf of a world that 'waits, groaning' for us to bring hope, love and rescue." —Lynne and Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church

Gary A. Haugen is president and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM), a human rights organization based in Washington, D.C. Prior to founding IJM, he worked in the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice and was director of the United Nations genocide investigation in Rwanda.

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Reviewed by Patti (Batavia, NY), September 17, 2008

This is one of the best books I've read this year. It is concise, well written, and challenging. The author defines courage as "the power to do the right thing even when it is scary and hard - resonates deeply with the original shape of our soul" (p103) How often do we have the opportunity to consider how we might live courageously in today's world. This book provides a gentle nudge for those who desire to be gripped by the big issues of life but really don't know where or how to begin. I read the book in two days (literally)-- it was that good.

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