Rating: 
Summary: Having a Heart for the World
Review: After reading the reviews posted, all I can say is that this book proclaims real biblical truth. While I am not an economist, and cannot verify the soundness of the economic theory, the main message of the book is certainly true: there are lots and lots of desperately poor people around the world, and God loves them; and who God loves, we should love too. It is so hard living in the West, especially in a wealthy country like the USA, to have a global perspective that constantly keeps in mind and has compassion for the suffering of the poor in the third world. And considering how much Jesus talks about money and the dangers of being rich, it is valuable to read a book that challenges us to instead store up treasures in heaven. The central messages of this book are really uncontroversial in light of scripture: God loves the poor. We should give generously and effectively. We should love the poor. That's really what this book is saying. From Ron Sider's repeated disclaimers and prefaces to his specific economic suggestions, it doesn't seem Ron Sider is saying there is only one definite way that will truly help the poor. All he's saying is that we must help them. Do unto others.... Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The third section was pretty dry and difficult to get through (but with important facts and figures), but the the rest of the book is convicting and inspiring. This is a book that every Christian should read--and approach with an open heart and willingness to make lifestyle changes. Reading this book as a Christian in America is a lot like Jesus' confrontation with the rich young ruler; and after reading it, many people go away sad (or angry!). But imagine the joy in store for the person who really takes this biblical call to love the poor seriously...it's immeasurable.
Rating: 
Summary: Challenging and Convicting
Review: Be prepared to take some reflection time after reading this book! All in all, I found it to be a great book and a very noble one. It is challenging, and even a bit extreme, but Sider has spoken so much of what we need to hear as prosperous, affluent Christians. We focus on so many aspects of the Christian life, but we forget about our responsibility to the poor. We kind of skim right over it in the scriptures. Sider reminds us that God is on the side of the poor, and that our active faith should reflect this truth in the activity and concern of our lives. So often in this society, we are concerned with the security of our future, our 401k, our portfolio, our bank accounts. We think mainly about what we can do to make life more comfortable for our OWN families. SOME Christians, unfortunately, don't look much different. Churches are building multi-million dollar structures, requesting congregations to be generous in their giving because "this building needs to be finished so we can have room to fit in 2,000 more people". I think as Christians we are called to more than this. The body of Christ extends far beyond the church pew and those Christians simply living in our city, state or country. Sider asks the question "how can we remain affluent when 40 billion children died today of starvation?" The book is compelling, challenging, worth the time to read. Be prepared to look within yourself...be prepared to embrace a faith that is ACTIVE, not passive.
Rating:
Summary: Challenging read, but well worth the effort.
Review: Despite the over use of the term, I can sincerely call this book "life-changing". It led me to reconsider my relationship with the poor and what that said about my relationship with God. The book should challenge anyone calling themselves a Christian into thinking deeply about materialism and greed. I doubt that anyone living in the US could read this book and not find areas of their lives that need to change.
The author's use of a myriad of statistics and UN reports proves to be the weak point. Although heart stirring, the data slows the book down and complicates reading. Also, until the final section, the book leaves the reader wishing to do something, but not knowing what. Overall, the style of the writing does match up with the quality of the content (which accounts for the missing star in the rating).
Luckily this book concentrates on content. The view of the poor is excellent; the call for repentance is strong; and the suggested solutions are helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone living in an industrialized nation that is trying to imitate Christ.
"'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!'"
Rating:
Summary: Influential
Review: I first read this book five years ago, and have not been able to look at the world through the same eyes ever since. For fear of treading on theologically "taboo" grounds and/or jeoporadizing contemporary Protestant notions of "salvation," many evangelical Christains have often shied away from concerning themselves with social and ecological issues. However, it is to this neglect that Sider holds Christians accountable in this volume, and I doubt that one could read this book and come out on the other side unaffected in some way. Though at times this work might err on the side of diatribe, Sider has nevertheless done a fine job of providing statistics, history, and Biblical evidence (see below, however) to support his bold call for Christians of all backgrounds -- and evangelicals in particular -- to be aware of and concerned about the grave economic imbalances that exist between and the consequent injustices resulting from the wealthy and resource-gobbling Western Europe, America, and Japan on the one hand, and the remainder of the developing world on the other. These imbalances and injustices set the stage for a whole host of other specific problems, none of which Sider seems to miss in the enormous amount of statistics gathered and compiled for this project. A somewhat unfortuante negative of the book has to do with Sider's use of Scripture in support of his message. While one does not have to read too far into the Hebrew Scriptures to find very real concerns for the poor and oppressed, Sider unfortunately tips the scales a bit and might read more of this emphasis back into them than they are willing to offer. As has been the case throughout history, one can always find Scripture to support just about any imaginable agenda -- environmentalism, advocacy for the poor, support of African American slavery and subsequent segregation, various political agendas, oppression of women, et. al. In this case, I tend to believe that it is somewhat dangerous to demand that Scripture speak to contemporary American (or international) politics and economics, regardless of particular persuasion. Additionally, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of simple suggestions as to how Christians can go about addressing some of his concerns in their own communities and the world community at large. There are obviously no simple solutions to these problems, but the amount of information in the book vis-a-vis "application," if you will, is less than proportionate. Overall, this is a deeply challenging and eye-opening read, and a much needed wake up call to the churches of wealthy America and Western Europe. Though his methods may be a bit rough around the edges, his message is clear: [rich] Christians have a lot of work to do, both inwardly on themselves, and outwardly on the suffering world around them.
Rating:
Summary: Not what the naysayers say
Review: I think the people that trash this book are missing the point. Sider does not promote marxism. He calls for democracy in the last chapter. But even if his political suggestions sound a little off, well, I don't think that was the point of his writing the book anyway. I'm sure it had more to do with the many Christians of the world that do nothing or only small, token deeds to help the world's poor. Also, if anyone would complain that this book's point is to guilt-trip us into helping the poor, I think Sider makes it clear that it isn't his goal. I think he himself sufficiently acknowledges that he and others won't be able to live up to the idealism he presents, but that that doesn't mean we can't at least try to change our ways. I also disagree with those that would say the Western World's wealth is totally due to our own efforts. No doubt, the US and other wealthy nations are rich largely because of democracy, capitalism, and the resolve and hard work of their citizens, but I don't buy the idea that we've allowed third world countries the same opportunities. It is completely naive to think that our government and multinational corporations don't often act in the interests of ourselves while at the expense of other nations. Anyway, the book is great. Maybe it's good to take some parts with a grain of salt. I think the important thing to take away from the book is that we shouldn't allow hardness of heart to justify selfishness and apathy toward the poor. Whether you agree with the book or not, remember the opportunities we have to do something about the suffering many other people endure.
Rating:
Summary: Thought it was a good eye opener for us
Review: I used to live with a girl from a third world country. On september 11th she came home and looked me in the face and told me that my country deserved terrorism. I personally was shocked. I knew very little about what rich countries were doing to her country in the way of debt, tariffs etc. and why she would even think that. Now I'm not sure that the U.S. really deserved the events of september 11th, but I would have to say that there is a clearly biblical mandate to help the poor, and if that means changing govt. policies, and thinking about ourselves in a different way Christians have a responsability to do so. We have a responsability to promote justice in the world. God clearly wants justice for all of his people, and charging one person more because they are poor is injustice. A few years ago I attended Urbana and happened upon a group from England called "Speak". At that time I wasn't sure what our role for the poor should be, as they were, but since then God has convicted me through the use of many friends about the U.S's role in foreign development. I think that we should have more than 1 speak group in the U.S. I'm was very thankful for this book, as it reaffirmed my thoughts as of late, I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about these issues. I recommend you reach out to internationals and ask them what the living conditions are like in their countries, and their trade status, and industrialization rate etc. Then you can judge for yourself if we the rich nations are fair with them. I read several of the negative reviews about this book also, and I must say that the selfish attitude of the culture that we live in must be done away with. Too often we think of ourselves first, when God clearly says in Philipians2:3-4 that we should, "regard one another as more important than yourselves". This book advocates that, and for that reason it is a really good read.
Rating:
Summary: Our Continuous Improvement
Review: It's about our salvation! I would say this is the basic message of Rich Christians in a Age of Hunger. Sider makes it loud and clear that these two facts are undeniable and inescapalbe. First, God is not passive about economic justice. Just read the 64 passages in The Bible about the liberation of the poor and oppressed and God's love of the poor and oppressed including Matthew 25:40. In addition, poverty and its horrible effects are wide spread in our world today. Up to now, most of us have been denying the challenges of poverty to avoid feelings of guilt. What we need to do today is remind everyone that economic justice is about compassion not guilt. We can practice our compassion by doing our best to be more generous everyday. In the business world, this is known as "continuous improvement." Some good companions to this book are Opting For The Poor by P.J. Henriot S.J, How Much Is Enough? by Arthur Simon, and Unexpected News by Robt. M. Brown. These great books inspired me to compile a social ministry manual which is online and free at www.slu.edu/departments/church/SocialMinistry.htm .
Rating:
Summary: Our Continuous Improvement
Review: It's about our salvation! I would say this is the basic message of Rich Christians in a Age of Hunger. Sider makes it loud and clear that these two facts are undeniable and inescapalbe. First, God is not passive about economic justice. Just read the 64 passages in The Bible about the liberation of the poor and oppressed and God's love of the poor and oppressed including Matthew 25:40. In addition, poverty and its horrible effects are wide spread in our world today. Up to now, most of us have been denying the challenges of poverty to avoid feelings of guilt. What we need to do today is remind everyone that economic justice is about compassion not guilt. We can practice our compassion by doing our best to be more generous everyday. In the business world, this is known as "continuous improvement." Some good companions to this book are Opting For The Poor by P.J. Henriot S.J, How Much Is Enough? by Arthur Simon, and Unexpected News by Robt. M. Brown. These great books inspired me to compile a social ministry manual which is online and free at www.slu.edu/departments/church/SocialMinistry.htm .
Rating: 
Summary: This book contributed to 10 wasted years in the inner city.
Review: Please, this book is so misleading and out of touch with the realities of poverty & economics that it should be ignored. I worked as a church-based social activist in Boston for nearly 10 years as the director of the Cambridge Institute. The mind-set revealed in this book was one of the greatest hinderances to real social change through economic advancement that I encountered in my work. Envy, resentment and ignorance concerning how economic activity really happens in a fallen world characterizes this work. The wealthy often come into money because they know how to handle it profitably. Those who do not know how to handle it lose it. Fortuantely I overcame the mind-numbing effects of Ron Sider, Tony Compolo, and Tom Sine early enough not to waste my life on their misinterpretations of the gospel. I hope you can avoid the trap too. Don't buy this book -- but if you must read it read some good economic theory -- try Ludwig von Mises or Friedrich Hayek to retain your sanity. Yes, God loves the poor -- but he wants us to help them -- not make their povery worse.
Rating:
Summary: Still showing us where our hearts are trully at!
Review: Ron Sider and this book is the main reason why I chose to go to seminary to prepare for the ministry, why I do music ministry among the homeless, and why I chose the Mennonite Church as my home denomination (freedom to focus on issues of compassion in tandem with evangelism). That's the hand of God in all of this. I'm amazed to see some STILL haven't made their peace with scripture's view of materialism and justice for the poor, but I shouldn't be surprised, because Jesus said there definitely would be goats to weed out in the end times! Just looking over the "attack reviews" here is pretty revealing. One reviewer seethes with anger over the idea of putting others interests ahead of his own. Have you never read Paul? To wit: Ro 9:3 "For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race." Php 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." Or how about Jesus: Mt 16:24 "Jesus told his disciples, 'If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" Lu 6:20 "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." Matt 25:44 "Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Along with all of this are the typical misrepresentations of Sider's theology: he advocates Marxism (no, he actually supports local-government control of affairs as the best way to bring about change); he thinks people should eat even if they don't work (never said that? where?); he is a liberal (actually he was schooled in Christian apologetics early on by John Warwick Montgomery); he is against earning a living (so laughable as to not even deserve a response). To those who persist in these ad hominem attacks, I say one thing: Ex 20:16! So the idea of America being "rich because others are poor" is sheer nonsense, eh? Tell this to the Native Americans who were the victims of a near-genocidal attempt at taking away their homeland? (If you think I'm parroting what I know nothing about, look at Klamath County, Oregon, which in the days before the white settlers was a land rich in the fishing industry. Look at the area's current struggles SINCE we took over.) Tell this to African slaves who were used to practically build this country- to a large degree. Look into the history of things like "insurance policies" taken out on slaves as if they were property. Then look at how British and American interference in the Mid-East is STILL resulting in a turbulence- we build up dictatorial regimes & wonder why we are still hated over there & in other parts of the world as well. Bottom line: The U.S. is not perfect, not the "New Israel", not above committing sheer evil. Stop acting as if we are. What bothers me the most about Sider's opponents is this: what if we really ARE wrong in the way we approach public policy in regards to poverty & wealth and the Bible has something to say about it? Not an outlandish idea since this happened to Israel. The detractors of this theology would have us bury our heads in the sand & not search our hearts & the scriptures & listen to the Spirit, since our Capitalism has already been "justified" in our eyes. Go ahead and buy your books by dominionist heretics like Chilton. You need your conscious salved between now and the separation of sheep and goats. Make sure you stock up on some good systematic theology to keep you with the illusion that you are "predestined" to go to heaven and nothing you will do can keep you from that destiny, so you won't have to spend your nights awake bothered by the verses that place responsibility to repent on YOU. You don't want God to tell you that he is lord even of your wallet, so why bother? OR...maybe you would like to approach books like Sider's with an attitude of humility and resolve that you will do whatever GOD wants you to do with your life. Who knows, you might like submitting to God? His yoke is always easy!
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