The Gospel as Social Revolution

Book excerpt: The 'good news' of Jesus, properly understood, will change the world. Jesus was clear: Love God, love your neighbor as you love yourself. We have separated the holistic teaching of Jesus into two categories, word and deed, creating a dualism that leaves neither side with the full story. The research is practical with a focus to help the Church see its role in the transformation of society by caring for its neighbors. It argues from many angles, looking at Evangelical and church history to guide the present, modern developmental practices 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 to retrieve its mantle and reach a lost world by holistically bringing transformation--both physical and spiritual--through the power of the gospel.