Revolution & Renewal

Campolo, one of a handful of leading evangelicals whose primary concerns are poverty and social justice, has written a book that will surely garner much attention in the secular world as well as the Christian circles in which he is already prominent. Here, Campolo takes on the problem of urban decay, urging that churches must take an active role in revitalizing cities. Christians should get involved in public schools and prisons, says Campolo, but they must also go further than what might be seen as the Band-aid-on-the-corpse approach. Christians should help lure business development--and with it jobs--to urban areas and should support the increasingly trendy faith-based social programs. Churches should not be afraid to work with government, but neither should Christians lose their distinctive angle on social rejuvenation. Although clearly intended for a Christian audience, this call to arms could be fruitful for anyone interested in creating social change in American cities. Those looking for a searing critique of capitalism will not find it here, but for Christians who want to work within the capitalist framework to renew the city, Campolo offers a challenging call to action--a call coupled with enough practical guidelines to bring the task, though daunting, within reach. (Mar.)