Mercy & Justice

Scripture calls God’s people to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). True justice flows not from human power but from the character of God revealed in Christ. The church is called to embody this mercy and justice — caring for the vulnerable, defending the oppressed, and proclaiming the good news of salvation. The resources below help believers think biblically, live compassionately, and resist both worldly distortions and cold indifference.

Getting Started

Clear, faithful introductions for those exploring mercy and justice for the first time.

Generous Justice – Timothy Keller
Keller shows that concern for justice is not optional for Christians but a natural outflow of the gospel. Rooted in Scripture, it demonstrates how grace produces both compassion and action.

What Is the Mission of the Church? – Kevin DeYoung & Greg Gilbert
Clarifies the church’s mission, showing how mercy, justice, and evangelism relate. Helps Christians avoid both reductionism and neglect.

When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
Explains how good intentions can sometimes do harm in poverty alleviation, and how to pursue mercy and justice in ways that empower rather than create dependency.

Going Deeper

Thoughtful works for pastors, leaders, and serious students seeking a fuller theology of mercy and justice.

Ministries of Mercy – Timothy Keller
A comprehensive guide to diaconal ministry in the church. Keller roots mercy work in the gospel and offers practical frameworks for congregational engagement.

Becoming Whole – Brian Fikkert & Kelly Kapic
Follow-up to When Helping Hurts. Explores a deeper theology of human flourishing, grounding justice and mercy work in the biblical story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

God of Justice: The IJM Institute – Abraham George & Gary Haugen
Provides a global perspective on biblical justice and the fight against violence, rooted in God’s character and mission.

Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life – Robert Lupton
A practical book on neighborhood engagement and incarnational ministry, written from decades of community development experience.

Disclaimer
The resources listed here have been selected because they offer particular value for Christian growth and understanding. Their inclusion does not imply full agreement with every statement or position taken by the authors. As with any book outside of Scripture, readers should exercise discernment, testing all things by the Word of God (Acts 17:11).

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