On the Side of the Angels: Justice, Human Rights and Kingdom Mission

by Joseph D'Souza, Benedict Rogers

All too often, missions have been narrowly defined as evangelism or at best, extending to practical, physical social action such as medical mission or education. On the Side of the Angels argues that human rights and justice need to be reclaimed by evangelical Christians and that human rights work should be seen as central to Kingdom mission, not just regarded as a secondary activity and labeled "political. "The book draws on the authors a first-hand experiences of places of persecution and oppression, including Burma, East Timor and India, along with their work of advocacy in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, United Nations and other forums. Its chapters include examining the biblical basis for activism, real-life stories of crimes against humanity, religious persecution, torture, discrimination and injustice. Concrete examples of how to do advocacy and inspiring examples of great Christian human rights activists, past and present, will motivate and challenge readers to be advocates of God as love and justice.

Genres: Social Justice, Christian

218 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Joseph D'souza is a human rights activist in India, focusing on the rights of Dalits (untouchables).

Reviews

[Lance Towers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Micah Network (see www.micahnetwork.org) poignantly states, "If we ignore the world, we betray the word of God. If we ignore the word of God, we have nothing to bring to the world." And this concept of integral mission is further developed by D'Souza within these pages. He contends that seeking societal reform is requisite to the proclamation of the gospel.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenges Christians and churches on the core message of the Gospel. This book will not be the best seller not because of the content but rather the churches and Christians will not accept what is written inside and make the necessary changes easily.

[John Hayward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing upon the writings of a wide range of authors, including Corrie Ten Boom, Bietrich Bonhoeffer and Henri Nouwen, and accounts of genocide in Sudan, imprisonment in North Korea and oppression in Latin America, as well as their own evidence of human rights abuses in Burma, East Timor and India, On the Side of the Angels challenges us to respond with compassion to the appeals of the world's poor, disenfranchised and oppressed. D'Souza and Rogers quote heavily from John Stott's New Issues Facing Christians Today and build upon his definition of politics as "the art of living together in a community" to contend that Kingdom mission is incomplete when it fails to confront injustice and should include five integrated elements: proclamation, service, community, justice and reclamation. With reference to the Lenten spiritual "Were you there?" the authors ask, "as Christ's ambassadors on earth, are we there when our Lord is 'crucified' anew, again and again, as he joins us vicariously in the suffering everywhere around us?" Citing examples where the Church has made a historical difference by taking a stand against injustice, they encourage us to get involved in advocacy and suggest two sets of principle to guide our efforts on behalf of the oppressed: prayer, protest (letter-writing and demonstration) and provision (of time, finances, material assistance, or expertise); and authenticity (obtaining first-hand evidence), aid and accountability (both to supporters and the oppressed). The final chapter demands, "Doesn't your gospel of Jesus challenge evil and the evildoers in this world? Can the 'evangel' coexist with racism, corruption, apartheid, economic exploitation, colonisation, caste discrimination, paternalism, dehumanisation, and the oppression of women through the sex trade and various other means?" Surely the only appropriate response is to echo the newspaper editor quoted for describing his editorial line as, "We are for what's good and we are against what's bad. We're on the side of the angels."

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors argue that human rights work is inherently Christian, that it’s part of the Great Commandment which works hand in hand with the Great Commission. Plenty of biblical passages direct Christians to seek justice for the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:8, etc.) The authors challenge church-goers to do more than just focus on personal salvation but to also advocate on behalf of others in the name of justice. Another key point is that we shouldn’t give up or feel cynical about the fight for justice. I particularly liked the LOTR analogies. We should ask “why not” - “Why not be like Frodo and Sam in their quest to destroy the ring in Mordor?” The Berlin Wall fell, the Soviet empire collapsed, apartheid in South Africa was abolished, etc. The church can do great things if it would only wake up and take up the cause to fight injustices all around us.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll give this book 4 stars for the subject matter and the effort. One of the authors, Dr. Joseph D'Souza, an Indian, leads the Dalit Freedom Network, so he has first hand experience of both personal and structural injustice. This book is chock full of examples. We need more evangelical advocates for justice such as he and his co- author.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promotes Christian advocacy without pushing the social gospel. At best has the potential to inspire you to make a difference in places you may have overlooked, at worst should challenge you to rethink your views on advocacy and Christianity.