iteechesinglish's review against another edition
3.5
This book recounts John M. Perkins' work as a pastor among the black community in Mississippi during the civil rights movement. There was more of a focus on the missionary aspects of his work than I anticipated from the title, but there are anecdotes and reflections on the struggle for racial equality sprinkled in throughout. I'd recommend this book for any Christian church grappling with issues of social justice and racism in America, especially now after the 2016 election.
retswerb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
An excellent example of love and care lived out in community. I’ve known Dr Perkins for a long time but hadn’t read his story. His style is informal and engaging, his message overwhelming. Adding his other books to my reading list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
sarahfett's review against another edition
4.0
(This is my review for my church's newsletter.)
The Year of Outreach theme for October is Social Justice: Fairness and Equality for All of Our Neighbors, and I read the amazing book Let Justice Roll Down by John M. Perkins.
Justice was severely lacking in Perkins’s life growing up in Mississippi in the 1930s and 40s. As he says,“In Mississippi every move I made was defined in terms of my race. I worked on farms and fields, I behaved in certain ways toward my employers, and I received certain wages – all of this was defined in terms of my blackness. And in every one of these areas there were different standards for whites….Two-hundred years of slavery, followed by two or three generations of economic exploitation, political oppression, racial discrimination and educational deprivation, had created in black people feelings of inferiority, instability and total dependency.”
His brother was shot and killed by a deputy marshal simply for being African American and standing outside a movie theater one evening. Later in his life he was arrested without charge and severely beaten by the Mississippi state police. Understandably, Perkins said that he was “gradually moving toward a notion of black separatism, a total anti-white position that would have included all whites in its hatred.” He was moving in that direction, but he never got there because he met Jesus.
“I’d been to religious services as a kid, of course, but I never learned that I could have the power of God in my life, a power that would make a difference in me and in my surroundings.” What a difference it made! Perkins and his family had left Mississippi and settled in California where they had purchased a house and he had a good job. They were feeling settled, but then he strongly felt God calling him to return to Mississippi and help the African American community there.
Perkins did incredible work for that community over many years. He established the Voice of Calvary Bible Institute, which started as a Bible school and then reached out to meet physical needs of the community by opening thrift stores, health clinics, and a housing cooperative. He supported voter registration efforts and school desegregation, and he led an economic boycott on racist businesses. He started the Spencer Perkins Center, a youth center with after school tutoring, a summer arts camp, an internship program, and a community garden. He did all of these things in response to the question, “What should the church do – what should I do – for the cause of human justice?”
What should we do? We should live Amos 5:24: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
The Year of Outreach theme for October is Social Justice: Fairness and Equality for All of Our Neighbors, and I read the amazing book Let Justice Roll Down by John M. Perkins.
Justice was severely lacking in Perkins’s life growing up in Mississippi in the 1930s and 40s. As he says,“In Mississippi every move I made was defined in terms of my race. I worked on farms and fields, I behaved in certain ways toward my employers, and I received certain wages – all of this was defined in terms of my blackness. And in every one of these areas there were different standards for whites….Two-hundred years of slavery, followed by two or three generations of economic exploitation, political oppression, racial discrimination and educational deprivation, had created in black people feelings of inferiority, instability and total dependency.”
His brother was shot and killed by a deputy marshal simply for being African American and standing outside a movie theater one evening. Later in his life he was arrested without charge and severely beaten by the Mississippi state police. Understandably, Perkins said that he was “gradually moving toward a notion of black separatism, a total anti-white position that would have included all whites in its hatred.” He was moving in that direction, but he never got there because he met Jesus.
“I’d been to religious services as a kid, of course, but I never learned that I could have the power of God in my life, a power that would make a difference in me and in my surroundings.” What a difference it made! Perkins and his family had left Mississippi and settled in California where they had purchased a house and he had a good job. They were feeling settled, but then he strongly felt God calling him to return to Mississippi and help the African American community there.
Perkins did incredible work for that community over many years. He established the Voice of Calvary Bible Institute, which started as a Bible school and then reached out to meet physical needs of the community by opening thrift stores, health clinics, and a housing cooperative. He supported voter registration efforts and school desegregation, and he led an economic boycott on racist businesses. He started the Spencer Perkins Center, a youth center with after school tutoring, a summer arts camp, an internship program, and a community garden. He did all of these things in response to the question, “What should the church do – what should I do – for the cause of human justice?”
What should we do? We should live Amos 5:24: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
joshsloan9's review against another edition
5.0
“If sin can exist at every level of government, and in every human institution, then also the call to biblical justice in every corner of society must be sounded by those who claim a God of Justice as their Lord”
khaddenhorst's review against another edition
4.0
John Perkins is a modern day hero of the faith. I am sorry it took me so long to learn about his life and legacy.
stacikristine's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredible. Even though it was published in the late 70s, it is extremely relevant today. John Perkins is one of my new heroes of the faith.
cfrakes12's review against another edition
4.0
What can you say about the resiliency of John Perkins? A truly insightful read about the history behind a great civil rights leader but more so about a man of God who caught a vision for true Gospel unity in community. This is a life well lived that will reap rewards long into eternity with Jesus.
shanella's review against another edition
5.0
“They were like savages - like some horror out of the night. And I can’t forget their faces, so twisted with hate. It was like looking at white-faced demons. Hate did that to them.
But you know, I couldn’t hate back. When I saw what hate had done to them, I couldn’t hate back. I could only pity them. I didn’t ever want hate to do to me what it has already done to those men.”
If anyone had a reason to hold on to hate, it’s John Perkins. In this biographical book, he outlines some of the major incidences where he witnessed and was faced with injustice. The way he handled these situations were surprising and thought provoking.
The beginning opens with the story of how his brother was killed. He continues by explaining the state of the church and his life (as well as his spirtual views), he shares his beliefs and how his experiences shaped his faith and ultimately his reaction to those around him. While standing up for the blacks in his community, he was wrongfully jailed and beaten, almost to death, yet he kept on living a faith-filled life.
This book was quite the emotional journey. It sheds light on the injustices of the not so distant past, a very important reminder for me and a way for me to better deal with the present. Let Justice Roll Down is a stark reminder of how we can hurt one another, even under the disguse of religion and truth. The quote above resonated deeply within me, and seemed to me to be a large theme running through the entire book. Hate turns a person into a savage. It’s easy to hate, to lash out and try to destroy those who hurt you, but how do you love them? And how does justice - the idea of fairness - fit into this?
His story leaves the reader with a lot to reflect on. I can’t stress how much I recommend that everyone read this book. It places you in an uncomfortable place, but I think that’s its worth.
But you know, I couldn’t hate back. When I saw what hate had done to them, I couldn’t hate back. I could only pity them. I didn’t ever want hate to do to me what it has already done to those men.”
If anyone had a reason to hold on to hate, it’s John Perkins. In this biographical book, he outlines some of the major incidences where he witnessed and was faced with injustice. The way he handled these situations were surprising and thought provoking.
The beginning opens with the story of how his brother was killed. He continues by explaining the state of the church and his life (as well as his spirtual views), he shares his beliefs and how his experiences shaped his faith and ultimately his reaction to those around him. While standing up for the blacks in his community, he was wrongfully jailed and beaten, almost to death, yet he kept on living a faith-filled life.
This book was quite the emotional journey. It sheds light on the injustices of the not so distant past, a very important reminder for me and a way for me to better deal with the present. Let Justice Roll Down is a stark reminder of how we can hurt one another, even under the disguse of religion and truth. The quote above resonated deeply within me, and seemed to me to be a large theme running through the entire book. Hate turns a person into a savage. It’s easy to hate, to lash out and try to destroy those who hurt you, but how do you love them? And how does justice - the idea of fairness - fit into this?
His story leaves the reader with a lot to reflect on. I can’t stress how much I recommend that everyone read this book. It places you in an uncomfortable place, but I think that’s its worth.