The New Abolitionists

So last night my neighbor Bob and I went to hear a speech at Wheaton College by Jim Wallis- he is promoting his new book, "The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America" . I really enjoyed it, and I just ordered the book on Amazon today. I had never heard of this man before, because I haven't really been reading religious blogs all that often. Anyway, I was really impressed -although I'll admit that I'm easily impressible. The room was packed, young and old. I believe this is the voice I've been looking for when I made this comment on an earlier post " this is what every pastor should be preaching". Here's a taste from a recent interview with my favorite TV interviewer, John Stewart on the Daily SHow:


oh here's another one I found from 3 years ago!




I'll update later after I've had a chance to read the book. Here are some notes/references I jotted down during the speech:

-referencing other great movements such as abolition, women's sufferage, child labor, civil rights-- we will be the new abolitionists against poverty and inequality, it will take time!
- flourishing churches (high growth) in failing cities -->concept of parish neighborhood where inner-city churches accept responsibility for what happens in their 12 blk radius
- politics of the common good, challenges selective moralities of Left vs Right
- politicians do not change history, social movements change politics
- "evangel" --> root word for Good News, Luke 4:18- Jesus' first public speech/ mission statement: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor"
- hob nobbing & working with Bono and Bishop Desmond Tutu
- Big Choice: Hope vs Cynicsm - Hope is a decision " believing in spite of evidence --> then watching the evidence change". Christians -prisoners of Hope
- Justice Revivals this summer, sojo.net