Freedom, Justice, and Hope Toward a Strategy for the Poor and the Oppressed

In a world plagued by disease, oppression, and chronic poverty, Christians are moved to reach out to the suffering. But what can we really do to help? In the spring of 1987, a group of 40 evangelical Christians from around the world gathered at Villars, Switzerland, to address this question under the theme: " Biblical Mandates for Relief and Development." The immediate results of the consultation are the " Villars Statement" (included in Chapter 8), and this book. "Freedom, Justice, and Hope seeks to present the Biblical worldview and essential principles for effective work in relief and development. It exposes the tragic failure of " Liberation Theology, " social engineering, and utopian ideology. But beyond this, it points to practical solutions that will change lives and cultures at the deepest level--through the transforming power of the gospel--and give practical assistance to those in need. Concerning the " Villars Statement on Relief and Development" which gave rise to this book, Christian leaders write: " [It] has the priorities where they belong and speaks a sobering word to a decade frustrated by inadequate alternatives." --Carl F. H. Henry, theologian " I am most encouraged with this responsible statement, both for its expressed concerns for the suffering, hurting, impoverished people, and for its Biblical perspective. It motivates me to examine my own heart." --Ted W. Engstrom, President Emeritus, World Vision " A clear call, firmly grounded in a Biblical understanding... It appeals to distinctive Biblical perspectives in both methods and goals." --Art Beals, Director of WorldMissions, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, WA