Stearns is the president of Worldvision, a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
In the book he sets about answering the question: ‘What does God expect of us?’ As part of the answer he urges followers of Jesus to look beyond the walls of their churches, to partner together actually demonstrating God’s love for the world instead of talking about it.
Responses to the book seem favourable, with Eugene Peterson saying of the book: "Read this compelling story and urgent call for change-Richard Stearns is a contemporary Amos crying 'let justice roll down like waters x2026;.' Justice is a serious gospel-prophetic mandate. Far too many American Christians for too long a time have left the cause to 'others.' Read it as an altar call."
Gary Haugen, President & CEO, International Justice Mission echoes this praise: "Rich Stearns calls us to exhilarating obedience to God's life-altering, world-changing command to reflect his love to our neighbours at home and globally. The Hole in Our Gospel is imbued with the hope of what is possible when God's people are transformed to live radically in light of his great love."
I continue to have high expectations of the book and as I read am compelled to think about and act on my own involvement in missio dei.
An early thought sparked by the book is illustrated by the Eugene Ionesco quote: “Ideologies separate us, dreams and anguish bring us together.” Or for the Christians “Our doctrines, traditions, pet theologies or pet moralities separate us, God’s dreams and human suffering bring us together”
I wonder if herein lies one of the answers to Jesus’ only unanswered prayer?
