Read Exodus From Hunger Online
Authors: David Beckmann
Tags: #Religion, #Christian Life, #Social Issues, #Christianity, #General
Exodus From Hunger
Advance Praise for
Exodus from Hunger
We Are Called to Change the Politics of Hunger“David Beckmann is a prophet for our time. I urge everyone who cares about the great problems of hunger and poverty, both globally and domestically, to read this book and to take to heart his call for full engagement in the political process. Beckmann names the issues—the tragedy of endemic poverty—with real clarity and offers hope borne of a confidence that God is in the struggle.”
— Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary,
National Council of Churches USA“This book is riveting: engaging stories, fascinating statistics, wise strategy, achievable solutions … and hope so rich you can almost taste it!”
— Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor,
Northland—A Church Distributed“I consider it a privilege to endorse David Beckmann’s new book. His program for reducing hunger here in our own country and throughout the world is truly worthwhile studying since these are the thoughts of a man who has given his life to such a noble cause.”
— Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick
“Beckmann’s book comes at a pivotal point in history when a few focused people can reduce hunger and poverty for millions. It is educational, biblical, practical—and, yes, political (in a good way). If you have ever wondered, ‘what can just one person do?’ here is your answer. It will perhaps surprise you: You can change the world.”
— Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)“Every person who cares about poor and hungry people should read this. It is written with clarity, integrity, and humility. Thanks be to God for David Beckmann and this passionate call to global justice.”
— Daniel Vestal, Executive Coordinator,
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship“As followers of Jesus Christ, we have faith that God is at work redeeming the world. David Beckmann reminds us that this redemption includes delivering millions of people from the scourge of debilitating hunger and poverty. One billion people still await deliverance.”
— Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow, Moderator, 218th General
Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)“A powerful, prophetic, and deeply personal call to action to end the scandal of hunger in our nation and world. Beckmann charts the road ahead and the policy, political, and spiritual paths we need to take to achieve the moral imperative of ‘hunger no more.’”
— John Carr, Executive Director, Department
of Justice, Peace, and Human Development,
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops“Beckmann calls on people of faith to make a difference by encouraging policies that help families escape the ravages of hunger and build lives of self-sufficiency. As we strive daily to live out our calling to love and serve the neighbor, Beckmann’s book is a prayer of hope and possibility.”
— Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America“Beckmann offers hugely important insights into the current status of poverty in our world today and efforts to reverse it, and he suggests that God’s desire is a new ‘exodus from hunger’ in which people of faith will play a key role—if we play our part. I strongly recommend this book and the vision it presents.”
— Dr. David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor
of Christian Ethics, and Director, Center for Theology
and Public Life, Mercer University“Stands as a clarion call for the church to rise above political ideology and prophetically stand on a platform of righteousness and justice in order to deliver the hungry into the hands of hope.”
— Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic
Christian Leadership Conference,
Hispanic National Association of Evangelicals“Beckmann presents a very compelling vision and strategy to ensure that every citizen of the world has equal access to the most basic of human needs—food. As president of Bread for the World, Beckmann is uniquely positioned to lead this movement of God.”
—Michael Thurman, Pastor, Dexter Avenue
King Memorial Baptist Church“Beckmann shows that poverty is not the opposite of wealth but the opposite of justice. Prioritizing legislative policies can not only make justice a reality but can eradicate poverty and hunger in a world of plenty.”
— Thomas L. Hoyt Jr., Senior Bishop, Christian
Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church“From rural African villages to urban food deserts, everyday miracles are bringing glimpses of the end to hunger and poverty. With a lens for truth, David Beckmann shows that an exodus from the slavery of hunger requires more than local compassion. Solutions are at hand to change the business, the incentives, and the politics of hunger to fulfill God’s imagination for shalom in our world.”
— Suzii Paynter, Director, Christian Life Commission,
Baptist General Convention of Texas“The most compelling and convincing call written to date on the hope of ending hunger and poverty. People of faith tend to ignore a huge power they carry with them—the stewardship of their citizenship! Beckmann spells out how this power we carry can break down structures that keep people enslaved in poverty.”
—Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent,
The Wesleyan Church“One of David Beckmann’s most important contributions to the discussion of overcoming world hunger is his insistence that it is achievable. Here he makes his case based on what has already been accomplished and how such progress can continue. Leaders of faith communities of all sorts can find here a resource for discussion of issues.”
— Rev. Dr. Glenn R. Palmberg, President Emeritus,
Evangelical Covenant Church“Hunger is very personal and has a face and a story. Beckmann brings theology and political action into provocative tension. This book can change our lives both as believers and as citizens. It infuses hope into our dream for a future in which all share in the bounty of creation.”
— Christine Vladimiroff, OSB, President,
Conference of Benedictine Prioresses
© 2010 David Beckmann
First edition
Published by Westminster John Knox Press
Louisville, Kentucky
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Beckmann, David M.
Exodus from hunger : we are called to change the politics of hunger / David
Beckmann.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index.
ISBN 978-0-664-23684-7 (alk. paper)
1. Hunger—Religious aspects—Christianity. 2. Church and social problems—
United States. 3. Christianity and politics—United States. 4. Economic assistance,
American—Citizen participation. I. Title.
BR115.H86B43 2010
261.8’326—dc22
2010027049
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992
Westminster John Knox Press advocates the responsible use of our natural resources. The text paper of this book is made from 30% post-consumer waste.
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Contents
Foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu ixPart I: Where Things Stand Now
1. Widespread and Increased Hunger
2. Dramatic Progress Is Feasible
3. Countries That Have Reduced Hunger and Poverty
4. This Is God Moving in Our Time
5. Getting Serious about Poverty Would Be Good for America
6. People of Faith Can Make Congress Work
7. Hopeful Developments in U.S. Politics
8. A Time to Change History for Hungry People
Part III: How We Get There Together
FOREWORD
Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
Nobel Peace Prize LaureateI
have noticed that many people in the United States think that mass hunger and poverty are immutable facts of life. They may volunteer at a soup kitchen or contribute to an international charity, but do not hope for large-scale change. They are often wary of getting involved in politics.For most of my life, many people thought that racial oppression was an immutable fact of life in South Africa. As a pastor, I encouraged people who believed in God to get active in pushing for change. In the end, God blessed us with a transition to a more just society.
David Beckmann—a winner of the 2010 World Food Prize—is both a pastor and an economist. He is calling on people of faith and conscience in the United States to get more active in the politics of hunger and poverty. He sees opportunities right now to win changes that would help many people in the United States and around the world escape from hunger.
A stronger U.S. commitment to overcoming global hunger and poverty would be a huge help in Africa and other parts of the world. And you can certainly overcome mass hunger and poverty within the United States itself. Your country is so richly blessed.
David says that God is moving in our time to overcome hunger and poverty and that people of faith in the United States can play an important role in this great exodus. I plead with you to read this book and act on it.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu