Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice

by Thaddeus Williams, John M. Perkins (Foreword)

God does not suggest, he commands that we do justice. Social justice is not optional for the Christian. All injustice affects others, so talking about justice that isn't social is like talking about water that isn't wet or a square with no right angles. But the Bible's call to seek justice is not a call to superficial, kneejerk activism. We are not merely commanded to execute justice, but to "truly execute justice." The God who commands us to seek justice is the same God who commands us to "test everything" and "hold fast to what is good." Drawing from a diverse range of theologians, sociologists, artists, and activists, Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth , by Thaddeus Williams, makes the case that we must be discerning if we are to "truly execute justice" as Scripture commands. Not everything called "social justice" today is compatible with a biblical vision of a better world. The Bible offers hopeful and distinctive answers to deep questions of worship, community, salvation, and knowledge that ought to mark a uniquely Christian pursuit of justice. Topics addressed Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth also brings in unique voices to talk about their experiences with these various social justice issues, In Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth , Thaddeus Williams transcends our religious and political tribalism and challenges readers to discover what the Bible and the example of Jesus have to teach us about justice. He presents a compelling vision of justice for all God's image-bearers that offers hopeful answers to life's biggest questions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Christianity, Politics, Faith

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2020

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ask my pastor: I am theologically conservative. Politically, I’m center-left. As a medical student, I believe human life begins at conception. I read this book because John Perkins wrote the foreword and as a mirror: to reflect on ways I view the world and my brothers and sisters in the Church. In a way, I am the targeted audience for the book, and I would recommend anyone to read the chapters on the first question (worldview as the madness machine is brilliant).

However, I wonder if the profile of actual readers matches that of the targeted audience. If not, I think the book does a disservice to the actual readers. Social justice B (SJB) has its flaws, but we should eat the meat and spit out the bones. The book does not acknowledge insights that we could gain from SJB. For instance, it pays lip-service to the systemic injustice of redlining and injustice in the criminal justice system, yet (1) subsequently presents cherry-picked data (eg, Fryer’s study) or literature from one secular economic perspective (mainly Powell) and (2) doesn’t refer to or discuss seminal works such as the Color of Law and the New Jim Crow. The book challenges me to critically view SJB’s rhetoric, but I fear it would feed another reader’s confirmation bias.

Moreover, the early church did have ethnic/racial resentments involving not just the Law but also economic fairness (see Acts 6). Just because the Bible omits church gossip, it doesn’t mean ethnic/racial/economic conflict did not happen in the early church because the Gospel covered all. The OT, which was the Scripture for the early church, is clear on how repentance that precedes reconciliation involves material reparation (also see Zacchaeus), and granted the Ten Boom story, given the Biblical commands, it’s hard to imagine that the early church came together under the gospel without addressing the wrongs that someone like a Roman soldier who became a Christian might have committed in the past.

PS. The constant equivalence of SJB with the Nazis, KKK, and Tutsis was troubling as well as the minimizing of depravity of American slavery and racism by relativizing it with global slavery.

PPS. I trust the author’s intentions because Perkins did. But relevant to my last paragraph is this from The Washington Post article in August 2020 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/religi...

"This summer, [John M] Perkins has been in demand for Zoom Bible studies with White evangelicals. But he said he has stopped using the phrase “racial reconciliation,” because the phrase implies White and Black people can become equals without addressing historical inequities."

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the last few years there are a spate of books on social justice, and a few of them written by Christians. This book by Thaddeus Williams is the best in that category so far. It is winsome, accessible, and relentlessly God-honoring. I recommend pairing this title with Cynical Theories for a solid overview of critical theory and what’s at stake.

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most refreshing, generous, and charitable thing I have seen on the topic to date. I’m tempted to rest my case on the fact that John M. Perkins wrote the forward to it with a glowing recommendation (if you’ve not heard of Perkins, you must look him up. He is a hero from the civil rights era and has impeccable bona fides). He cares about social justice. He doesn’t demonize those he disagrees with, and praises them where he can. He is thorough and even-handed in his research, and he brings together the best of what I learned and am grateful for from my “woke days,” with many of the concerns I now have regarding what he calls Social Justice B, without ever giving the impression that the sky is falling. The appendixes are worth the price of the book. Not only that, but when you read this book, you get a diversity of voices from the sheer fact that every chapter concludes with a testimony of someone whose story is relevant to the chapter.

If you’ve been watching Christians try to navigate these waters, and noticing the worst of both “sides,” but find yourself wondering how to hang on to a godly concern for justice (including racial and systemic injustice) without getting sucked into the vortex of the worst expressions of CRT, and without getting sucked into the same kind of tribalism on the other side (the kind that sniffs “neo-Marxism” everywhere, and is ready to bite the head off of anyone who gives off that odor), this is the book you’ve been waiting for.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our tribalized social-media age, the loudest and most extreme voices are the ones that tend to get a hearing. But I’m thankful for the thoughtful voices that speak with wisdom to some of the most contentious issues we face today. In Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth, Thaddeus Williams tackles them all—racism, sexuality, socialism, abortion, critical theory, identity politics—and argues that social justice, while not the gospel, isn’t optional for Christians. Christians care about justice; justified people seek to be a just people. But Williams also reminds us that not everything branded “social justice”—the increasingly superficial, knee-jerk activism of our day, or what he labels “Social Justice B”—is truly biblical. Whatever your starting point in this conversation, here’s a book that will help inform, equip, and serve the church.

[Amy Groman · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 ⭐️ This book was recommended to me recently, and I’m afraid I was disappointed. I did appreciate the author urging Christians to use discernment when addressing social justice issues, being sure to not blindly follow cultural trends-this is solid advice. However, the book lacked the nuance and balance that it was claiming to provide. It was full of sweeping generalizations and a steady stream of straw man arguments against the most extreme secular views on social justice. The facts and experts highlighted throughout the book were cherry-picked from a very narrow viewpoint.

The author’s main concern involving social justice within the church is Christians having views that are too radical. When I look at the church, I rarely see a problem with evangelicals becoming too extreme in their call for justice but much more often see evangelicals with apathy and skepticism who deny the existence of injustices in our society. While I can appreciate what the author was attempting to do, I’m afraid this book gives more support to the latter group.

There are way stronger and more balanced resources for Christians on the topic of justice-Justin Giboney and the And Campaign put out excellent content in order to seek compassion and conviction while looking at cultural issues, Latasha Morrison and her organization Be the Bridge do great work for racial reconciliation from a Christian framework, Wheaton professor Nathan Cartagena has a thorough and thoughtful view on CRT and the church, and Tim Keller’s book Generous Justice provides helpful biblical insight, just to name a few.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important book.

[Brittany Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve read on social justice, and I’ve read several!

[FYI- I had to cut a lot out- Goodreads didn't give me enough space for all my thoughts so check out my full review here.]

There is part of me that was hesitant to read another book by a white person, but as soon as I read the foreword, written by civil rights activist, John Perkins, I knew I was in good hands. Thaddeus J. Williams did not write this book in a vacuum. It was written from much research and many conversations with people of all colors. Also each chapter contains a corresponding personal story from diverse authors that add to the truth and authenticity of this endeavor.

I wish I could copy verbatim, John Perkins’s foreword but I know my review is already going to push advisable length limits. While you wait for your book to arrive in the mail, I will add one quote from his portion here and continue forth.

“We are in the midst of a great upheaval. There is much confusion, much anger, and much injustice. Sadly, many Christian brothers and sisters are trying to fight this fight with man-made solutions. These solutions promise justice but deliver division and idolatry. They become false gospels. Thankfully, in these trying times, new conversations are happening, and the right questions are beginning to be asked. I believe the twelve questions Thaddeus raises in the book are the right questions we should all be asking in today’s troubling world.”

I believe another thing we must establish here before we go any further is that if you come away from this book thinking Williams was advocating that injustice doesn’t exist or that Christians are not responsible to fight it, then I doubt you actually read this book. He reminds us many times that God doesn’t just recommend that we do justice but he commands it.

Referencing Jeremiah 7:5, Williams emphasizes that we are to “truly do justice” which “presupposes there are untrue ways to execute justice, ways of trying to make the world a better place that aren’t in sync with reality and end up unleashing more havoc in the universe.”

Determining this true justice is the foundation of this book.

Integral to understanding his conversation regarding social justice is the recognition of two terms he has coined: Social Justice A and Social Justice B. Both sides believe they are doing justice. No one is anti-justice. We just have different ideas of what social justice means and entails.

Social Justice A: biblically compatible justice-seeking
Social Justice B: social justice that conflicts with a biblical view of reality

The distinctions are made as we ask and answer each of the 12 questions (some paraphrased):

1. Does our vision of social justice take seriously the godhood of God?

When we view creatures (namely humans) above the Creator, our reality is blurred. Our sin nature is rebellious towards God, desiring to be our own gods, to make our own rules, to determine our own morality. If we don’t have a proper view of who we are in comparison to our Creator, our form of justice will be selfishly skewed.

2. Does our vision of social justice see everyone as an image-bearer of God?

If we are just bodies and nothing more, where do we find the basis for human equality? What gives people dignity or value? We must have something ‘outside of the box’ of our bodies to declare human dignity a truth. McLaughlin’s newest book ‘The Secular Creed’ is a short book proving how all elements of human equality come from the Bible. “Size, shade, sex, or status” are not what gives us value, it is our God-given identity as image-bearers.

I found this particular quote very convicting and one I plan to use going forward to maintain a godly perspective when I interact with people I disagree with.

“Picture someone specific who you see as the living, breathing antithesis of everything you believe to be true and just… Now think this true thought toward that person. “Image bearer.” Then treat that person as an image-bearer because this is who they were long before you found yourselves on opposite sides of a culture war.”

3. Does our vision of social justice idolize self, state, or social acceptance?

It’s another convicting statement when Williams (quoting John Calvin) calls our hearts “idol factories.” It is again, our sin nature, that has an innate ability to turn any thing (good or bad) into an ultimate thing. And our idols dictate what we view as just or unjust.

How do we know we are doing this? Well, one way we can ferret this out is to see where we seek justification. The Bible is clear that God is our justifier. Our belief in Jesus’s death on the cross for our sins means God declares us, ‘Not Guilty!’

But what do we see today? If we remove God from the discussion, we try to justify ourselves. And we try to seek justification from the government and others. Our salvation is then in our self-created identities.

“We turn to society, Government, media, law, education, entertainment, the local business owner- everyone must declare us, in unison, ‘not guilty!’ We must silence anyone who fails to acknowledge and celebrate our guiltlessness… We must use the power of law to squash those who dare question our self-defined selves.” 

“What happens when we sacrifice the truths of God’s Word on the altar of cultural trends? We tell the lie that Jesus is not worth it. We bow to idols. We do not give the Creator his due, and that is not justice.” - Becket Cook��

4. Does our vision of social justice take any group-identity more seriously than our identities “in Adam” and “in Christ”?

Many studies highlight that human beings have a desire to belong and be part of a group. We live longer, healthier lives when we are in community. But our sin nature twists this into an us vs them scenario. We view our own groups superior to others.

Another convicting and hugely significant thought: if we want to find a common denominator between all of humanity, look no further than our depravity. The Bible is clear that no one is righteous, not even one.

“the same human nature in the Aztec slayer, the Atlantic slave trader, and the Auschwitz executioner resides in us too. If we don’t seriously reckon with that uncomfortable truth, then we can all too easily become the next round of self-righteous oppressors.”

This cuts through the rhetoric found in Social Justice B that tries to divide people into oppressor vs oppressed groups based on physical characteristics. Logic found in words from James Cone, the father of black liberation theology follows: Sin=oppression and oppression=white people; therefore sin=white people. But sin knows no racial boundaries.

5. Does our vision of social justice embrace divisive propaganda?

“Social Justice B attempts to explain the world’s evil and suffering by making group identities the primary categories through which we interpret all pain in the universe.”

He talks a little about revisionist history here. That narratives and edited histories are used to paint a condemning picture of a particular people group which is then applied to all individuals of that people group. Then all the bad, hardship, and pain in the world is blamed on this people group. This folks, describes the main markings of propaganda.

6. Does our vision of social justice champion suspicion, division, and rage?

“Instead of being love-filled, we’re easily offended, ever suspicious, and preoccupied with our own feelings. Instead of being filled with joy, we’re filled with rage and resentment, unable to forgive. Instead of striving for peace, we’re quarrelsome—dividing people into oppressed or oppressor groups instead of appreciating the image-bearer before us. Instead of having patience, we’re quickly triggered and slow to honestly weigh our opponents’ perspectives. Instead of being kind, we’re quick to trash others, assuming the worst of their motives. Instead of showing gentleness, we use condemning rhetoric and redefined words to intimidate others into our perspective. Instead of showing self-control, we blame our issues exclusively on others and their systems, not warring daily against the evil in our own hearts.”

7. Does our vision of social justice prefer damning stories to undamning facts?

The main question we are considering here is:

‘Disparities= Discrimination’?

Ibram X. Kendi, a leading antiracist scholar says, “When I see racial disparities, I see racism.” 

Jonathan Haidt and Gregg Lukianoff explore this concept of equal outcomes in their secular book ‘The Coddling of the American Mind’. Disparities that Kendi is referring to involve what is perceived as unequal outcomes- a gap in racial representation at a school, in a group, at a job, a gap in pay, etc. If the outcome does not appear to be equal, some assume the cause had to have been discrimination— whether of age, gender, race, etc.

But one must remember what is preached to no end in psychology- Correlation does not equal Causation.

Haidt says, “Unfortunately, when reformers try to intervene in complex institutions using theories that are based on a flawed or incomplete understanding of the causal forces at work, their reform efforts are unlikely to do any good—and might even make things worse.”  

Williams gives several examples of what appear to be unequal outcomes that can actually be explained when looking into the facts. Sometimes the more ‘boring’ explanation tells the actual truth about the disparity. Different personal preferences or priorities can easily account for a lot of disparity we see in the world.

8. Does our vision of social justice promote racial strife?

“The Social Justice B story tells us that American systems are so thoroughly racist that dark skin makes it virtually impossible to escape poverty.”

There are also lots of stats and studies in this chapter I can’t list here, but the facts presented show us a different picture of America than what is portrayed in the media. It tells a different story of policing and poverty. It questions what “voices” are really being heard— considering the damning and widely applied terms “whiteness,” “white privilege,” and “white fragility,” were all coined and popularized by white liberal women.

It considers the possibility that continually telling black people that their future is dim because of the color of their skin, could unintentionally have a “dream-crushing effect” that just perpetuates the cycle of poverty when actually studies show that if a kid grows up in poverty but finishes their education, finds a job, gets married, and then has kids (in that order) only 6% will end up in poverty. There is more hope than we are told.

9. Does our vision of social justice distort the best news in history?

“If we make social justice our first thing, we will lose not only the real first thing—the gospel—we will lose social justice too.”

Social Justice B can easily become its own gospel, its own religion or ideology. If social justice is placed above the gospel, we have strayed from biblical teaching.

We hear the phrase “social justice is a gospel issue.” But if we view social justice and the gospel as the same thing, we have heavily edited Scripture to include our political ideology. The distinction must be made that the gospel (“Good News”) is declaring what is already done (by Jesus). It is not something we do, it’s something we receive. Social justice is something that must be done. Social justice comes from the gospel, but is not the same as the gospel. (He provides biblical basis for this from Jesus and Peter) We would be in trouble if fighting social justice became part of the equation for salvation— being good enough or doing enough is never something we can achieve.

10. Does our vision of social justice ask ‘is there oppression?’ or does it ask ‘what kind of oppression?’

“Caring about justice requires a commitment to truth.

Williams lays out an acronym— TRIBES— with each letter representing a different kind of oppressor. When our thinking stems from this viewpoint, we stop seeking truth and we start assuming oppression.

“Concept creep is particularly common in Social Justice B. It assumes that questioning sexism, racism, or any other evil ism as the best explanation is to side with the oppressors against the oppressed. This is exactly backward. If we care about ending actual sexism, then we should welcome the question of how much of the gender pay gap can be laid at the feet of actual sexism. Otherwise, we aren’t fighting the real problem, but shadow boxing our own ideological projections.”

11. Does our vision of social justice turn the “lived experience” of hurting people into more pain?

Social Justice B elevates lived experiences to a place of authority, an authority that should dictate policies and systems and supersede objective truth, facts, and evidence. Lived experiences matter, and we should listen compassionately and genuinely without immediately seeing their story through our own political ideology. But we are doing more harm than good if we respond to lived experiences with fear-driven encouragement to see more oppression everywhere they look. Is this not psychological oppression?

12. Does our version of social justice accept ‘truth’ only from certain identity groups?

The popular book, White Fragility, grounded in Critical Race Theory, leaves no room for anyone to challenge her (Robin DiAngelo) view. Anyone who presents counter arguments or evidence is seen as an oppressor. This turns Social Justice B into an unfalsifiable belief system.

“Do arguments magically become true or false by putting them in someone else’s mouth? No. Writing off someone’s viewpoint because of their melanin levels makes us actual racists. Dismissing someone’s argument because of their gender makes us actual sexists. Silencing someone’s ideas because of their sexuality, their economic status, or any other quality of their lives rather than the quality of their ideas does not make us a voice of justice for the marginalized; it makes us actual bigots.”

Honestly guys, I know this review was insanely long. But that’s because this book has so much truth and has really addressed so many of the concerns I’ve been feeling as tensions surrounding the concept of social justice has increased— in the world and in the church. A book that defends the gospel above all, defends the pursuit of truth above feelings, AND defends the command to love the oppressed and fight injustice is a book that I can whole-heartedly get behind and share with the world.

(Again- click the link at the top to see the full review and more quotes from the book)

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on social justice issues I've read yet. Williams manages to winsomely address the most fundamental questions about justice in a way that clearly distinguishes biblical justice (what he calls "Social Justice A" from Marxist and liberation theology distortions ("Social Justice B"). Everything Williams says is well-reasoned, grounded in Scripture, clearly illustrated, and thoughtfully applied. Another crucial distinctive of this book is that Williams critiques "Social Justice B" without throwing out the term "social justice" altogether and without taking aim at fellow evangelical leaders whose use of terms may differ. This makes Williams' book far superior to (for example) Voddie Bauckham's Fault Lines (which I'm also currently reading). If you're a Christian lay person and want to read one book to make sense of the whole social justice brouhaha, this is the book to read.

[Brice Karickhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ideas can behave like a pendulum. I swing towards one stance, overcorrect in the opposite direction, and repeat until I (hopefully) reach some happy medium of truth. My relationship to the term “social justice” has certainly followed this trend.

I read “Just Mercy” (still an all time fav) a week after it came out in 2014, and was rocketed toward a typical social justice activist’s mindset at 100mph. Per usual, I followed up my passion with a butt-load of reading and learning. Unsurprisingly, as I read, I began to contend with some of the underlying ideas that prop up our culture’s common notion of Social Justice. I didn’t like what I found, and I predictively swung in the other direction. “Woke” went from something I wanted to be to a word that describes the fruit of a tree with really terrible epistemological roots.

Through conversations and community and membership at two really great churches, I think this pendulum has begun to reach its center. I believe God desires for us to fight for social justice, and I feel strongly about the (not so woke) truths which must not be compromised in that quest.

This book gets 5 stars because it will challenge any Christian whose pendulum is out of whack (like myself) to really figure out where they stand and why. It is well written and to the point. At times I wished that it went deeper into certain points that were only afforded a paragraph or two, but that’s bound to be the case when the author is trying to keep things under 500 pages while addressing a subject like this.

Please read this, and please tell me your thoughts. This is one to discuss for sure.

[Abigail Nally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with tears in my eyes and a hurting heart, start to finish. Within the last year, I have lost dear friendships, have seen divisions in the church that have caused people to walk away, and watched believers hurl false words at brothers and sisters in Christ. My heart has struggled and wrestled for so long with what holding onto what Truth looks like in this polarized world right now, and what TRUE biblical justice looks like in the church. The more confused and lost I felt, with being pushed so many different ways by the angry crowd of people telling you all the things you should be doing, the more I turned to Jesus as the only thing I knew without a shadow of doubt to be true and steady. My biggest question was always - as a follower of Christ, what SHOULD we be doing? Or not doing? How can we love ALL our brothers and sisters from different backgrounds, races, and experiences, while also holding true to and affirming all of our first and primary identities as image bearers and God's beloved children? How can we weep with those who weep while also lifting them up out of themselves and pointing them back to a loving Savior who restores and reconciles all things?

This book answered many of those questions for me, and was so convicting and challenging to my heart. It did the trick of getting the wheels turning, to really dig deep to think and "test all things" with wisdom and discernment. At the same time it was deeply encouraging, and more than one instance I wept over the truth laid out and the personal stories told, as it affirmed the Truth that we had been clinging to amidst uncertainty, injustice, and turmoil. Truth be told, I am going through the book a second time now, taking even more notes, praying over specific situations, and seeking boldness, compassion, and deeper understanding. I wish I could recommend this book to literally every believer I know who is walking through the blind, angry tug-of-war pull of "left vs right," "this race vs that race," because it helped me so much in sorting out where to stand, where to show compassion, and where to hold strong. 10 stars.

[Kati Higginbotham · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. This is not a good book about Injustice. It’s basically a “why you can be a Republican and not care about the poor but still feel better than those on the left”. My favorite part are the “if you think I said this you read my words wrong.” No bro, that’s literally what you said. It also bothers me that he considers literal Nazis and progressives as the same thing. Again, Bro, Learn a history. The hatred of anything socialism because “equality is bad” completely misses the critiques those on the left have and glorifies and makes an idol out of freedom. I literally laughed out loud when he talked about how black people chose to be poor and live in the ghetto.

[John Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. Williams addresses the issue of social justice by comparing biblical justice, "Social Justice A," with modern notions branded as social justice, "Social Justice B," through 12 questions. Along the way, Williams might have easily treated Social Justice B unfairly; thankfully, he does not. William's gracious tone is welcomed and much needed on this topic. The book not only prioritizes the gospel, but argues that the gospel is the foundation of true biblical justice. The book also includes 7 appendices that add additional clarity on the subject, covering the specific topics of abortion, racism, economics, sexuality, "culture war," "fragility," and poverty. These are brief, but helpful. Finally, this book if well researched and contains an excellent end notes section.

[Matthew Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this book title I was intrigued. As a pastor I want to be able to help people and in todays climate I feel that there are many who are quick to judge if our opinions do not match. So I was hoping that this book would help me navigate a space that I am trying to learn more about.

This book has made me ask more questions than provide answers. While I loved this book immensely, it is just a start, not an end to where I see the conversation going. Thaddeus has provided so much inside of his book to chew on that it would take years to digest. These are not easy issues to deal with, but he deals with them head on.

I am thankful for Thaddeus’s starting point. He starts with the Gospel. Too many times we try and find the answers on our own and not have a standard that is the same, but Thaddeus does a great job of keeping his eyes on Jesus.

If you are wondering how as a Christian to confront injustice, but you are unsure where to start, I haughty recommend this book to get you started. Again, this is not the end of the discussion, but the starting place for some of us.

This book should not be read alone. I love that Thaddeus has included questions to digest with others. So buy a few books and get some friends together and start confronting injustice without compromising truth.

[John-Jennifer Divito · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the rising demand for social justice in our culture as well as a growing movement within evangelicalism, a debate has been roaring over the compatibility between social justice and biblical Christianity. A result of this clash has been churches and believers in Christ dividing between woke progressives and anti-woke conservatives. Additionally, this controversy has left many more Christians confused over what to believe and how to carry out our social responsibilities in this world.

Thaddeus Williams enters into this foray with his new book Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth. In doing so, he has provided us with an invaluable guide to help us successfully navigate through these difficult issues and come to conclusions faithful to God's Word. Having finished reading Williams' book, it has now become my "go-to" resource for Christians who want to understand social justice. Let me share a few reasons why:

First, the structure and style of his book makes it easy to read. Wrestling over 12 questions invites the reader to enter into a discussion over critical issues related to social justice. Williams also writes in a very conversational manner and avoids a lot of technical words and concepts to bring much-needed clarity to today's discussions.

Second, the testimonies at the end of each chapter are powerful! I read about how the gospel of Jesus Christ changed a white supremacist, a gay man, a woke racist, a Hindu Nepali, a Critical Race Theory advocate, and others. These stories bring alive Williams' conclusions and show how these truths work themselves out in real lives.

Third, Williams rightly compares and contrasts biblical social justice with ideological social justice. He has labelled them Social Justice A and Social Justice B. Now one could argue over using the label "social justice," but I believe Williams wisely avoids controversy while showing the incompatibility of biblical teaching and contemporary calls for social justice. Additionally, he maintains the Scriptural distinction between the law and the gospel to keep Christ central in answering these 12 questions.

Fourth, the seven appendices bring additional help to wrestling over social justice by considering the modern challenges of abortion, racial relations, capitalism and socialism, sexuality, the culture war, fragility and antifragility, and how the gospel helps the poor and oppressed. I am simply amazed that Williams was able to provide so much insight in less than 220 pages!

Finally, and most importantly, Williams rightly handles God's Word when answering the critical questions raised by today's social justice movement. After carefully reading through this work, Christians will be better equipped to respond to the challenges raised today with Scriptural truth. As a result, the author has given us an important apologetic to defend the Christian faith against the pressing issues we face.

If I was to mention any concerns, Williams makes a lot of entertainment references through this book. While it makes his writing easier to read (and I feel as if we have very similar tastes!), I could see one not familiar with a number of movies, music, and books missing the author's point. I also wonder if these references will wind up quickly dating this resource, which will likely need to be revised in order to stay current.

Furthermore, I have some theological questions and potential disagreements with the author. While Williams doesn't directly address the relationship between the church and culture, he seems to advocate a form of transformationalism while I see two kingdoms theology as more faithful to God's Word. And in the appendix "Defining Sexuality," he writes: "Just as God's feelings in traditional theology are expressions of his nature..." Yet traditional theology would uphold God's impassibility and immutability, which leaves me wondering what Williams' means by comparing God's feelings with our feelings.

Nevertheless, I am grateful for Williams' book and will be regularly encouraging Christians to read it as a reliable guide on social justice. May the Lord use this book to help His people love God and love our neighbor by pursuing biblical justice!

[Lindsay Bowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this book! He uses a lot of logic to discuss a healthy Biblical view of social justice and carefully navigates the difference between what feels Biblical and what is Biblical in our modern culture while encouraging readers to watch for a false gospel masquerading as something that seems good.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Perkins declares that this volume raises twelve of the right questions that we should all be asking in the midst of our troubled era. Therefore, he encourages us to read it with an open mind so that we’re not swept along into false answers that will lead us into more injustice. I couldn’t agree with Perkin’s assessment more! “Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth” by Thaddeus J. Williams, assistant professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology, is a 288-page softback that graciously and thoughtfully leads readers to ask, and begin to answer, twelve important questions about social injustice. It’s not a diatribe, but a deliberate analysis of what is meant by social justice from a biblical perspective in contrast to a “post-postmodernist” standpoint. Since there are already hundreds of reviews, I will simply present a few of my observations.

Williams is clearly on the side of basic, orthodox Christianity. He doesn’t dismiss social justice but promotes the importance of the subject. This is why he distinguishes between Social Justice A (a biblically defined and directed actionable justice) and Social Justice B (the form of justice that immediately sees prejudice in unequal outcomes, racism around every corner, and demands we rally against all wrongs to make the present all right). “This book is about helping Christians better discern between Social Justice A and Social Justice B” (7). The author then asks twelve questions and spends a chapter with each to unload the weighty cargo being carried about and pressing heavily down on the hearts and lives of people today. In doing this, he undresses the bigotry and bullying of both the Right and the Left, challenging both sides for doing many of the same things. He also strips down our attitudes and quick-draw responses that dehumanize others by pointing out that “our default mode is becoming not righteous indignation but self-righteous indignation, assuming we are on the side of the angels and drawing damning conclusions about anyone who disagrees” (88).

On the one hand, “Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth” will be a serious encounter for those pursuing, or being drawn into pursuing, Social Justice B. But on the other hand, for those who think they’re in the Social Justice A camp who have ears to hear and hearts ready to be challenged and changed, they will find themselves humbled. Clearly, one could read the book and grow more certain in their confirmation bias. But that would be a reader who is not actually receiving the words and wisdom of Williams but wanting to gain ammo and weaponry to bash those “other people”. The difference will come down to those who are doing justice and those who think they’re doing justice.

Of all that I appreciated in the book I’ll only mention two items here. They have to do with straw men and the Gospel. The author quotes from original sources, making his case strong. I didn’t get the impression that there were any straw men lumbering about, but real issues and real ideas being tackled. That’s important and will give readers an enhanced awareness of what they’re hearing, and the questions to ask to gain certainty. Secondly, he shows how and why social justice is not a Gospel issue but flows from the Gospel. I was especially grateful for this important distinction. If justice is a Gospel issue, then it is Jesus + Justice, and all good Protestants know where that train ride will end, and how only a pile of smoldering debris will be all that is left of the train and its tracks at the end.

“Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth” is the book for Christians who are in education, or business, or the military, or those being drawn into protests and pickets. It is the book for any believer who sees systemic racism running rampant, as well as all believers who think that the charge of racism in the present is hogwash. It is the book for pastors and parishioners whether they’re Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians. It is a book for people who care about real justice, no matter whether they’re liberals or conservatives. This is the book!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social justice is one of the most important topics today but also one of the least understood. This is the keyword used to signify that we care about lives and rights and yet there is so much fighting in society over these two words. What can we do to seek peace and justice amid such division?

Thaddeus Williams provides the best path forward by actually seeking justice on the very concept of social justice. With great charity and greater clarity, Thaddeus weaves together both personal testimony and established evidence to clearly separate real justice from an impostor masquerading under the name. Rather than submitting to the popular polemic practices of today’s world, Mr. Williams instead graciously explains the foundations of “Social Justice B” (as he defines it) and shows that, however well-intentioned its adherents may be, that path is fraught with as much injustice as “Social Justice B” attempts to fight. Alongside exposing such foundations, Mr. Williams makes a strong case for a better view, a better approach to justice, one that actually answers questions rather than only making accusations.

One of the unique features Mr. Williams includes that testifies to his thorough treatment of the subject is the testimonies of various individuals in their struggles with injustice. As often as not, these individuals come from their own histories of being racist or intolerant, having to learn the dangers and failures of such perspectives, growing and learning how to love their neighbor, and now standing firmly against such discrimination.

In opposing polemics and vitriol, Mr. Williams has crafted a book that guides without demanding, educates without indoctrinating, and drives for truth without driving away others. This is a book that will stand firm for years to come as a benchmark in the discussion of justice and inequality and is an invaluable resource in these times both nebulous and tumultuous.

[Jessi · Rating 1 out of 5]

No.
I am sure anyone who loved this book will think I'm the very kind of knee-jerk reactionary this book warns against, but please. Please do not read this book for answers about the Christian approach to social justice, a concept that has its roots in Christianity.
I checked out the table of contents and skipped ahead to the section I thought would best give me an idea of how Biblically and historically accurate this book would be. I'm sorry but I cannot take seriously a book that relies so heavily on Thomas Sowell, of all people, to "what about" the topic of slavery, and earnestly begs us to believe that an obviously hyperbolic contemporary feminist opinion piece is "the same" as state-sponsored propaganda encouraging the Rwandan genocide.
This kind of teaching is dishonest and dangerous. We are encouraged to read with an open mind and heart, but the text goes out of its way grasping at straws to tell the most paranoid culture warriors among us that their worst fears are being realized. I am horrified and ashamed and embarrassed by this book. (I did read more than that chapter; this is just what prompted me to start my review early.)
Please, fellow lovers of Jesus, I am begging you to just READ YOUR BIBLE and FACTUALLY BASED HISTORY BOOKS to know what God says about justice and about how we have completely dropped the ball and continue to do so. He laid it all right there for you. You don't need Thaddeus's help in this instance. Please. Read your Bible instead of reading about what some guy *thinks* about the Bible.

[Rachel Mayes Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of justice is one that we all like to talk about (the problem being that we usually neglect to define it and often fail put it into practice). It has always been important that we both define it correctly and practice it faithfully, and this book successfully accomplishes both of these goals. Timely, gracious, empathetic, and uncompromising, this book challenges Christians to ground our pursuit of justice in the gospel without falling into the error that the pursuit of justice is the gospel.

Williams takes great care to ensure that his perspective is spiritually focused rather than politically driven, and even as he rebukes false teachings (and, at times, those who promulgate them), he never devolves into petty ad hominem attacks. Rather, he handles this charged topic so charitably that even those who may disagree with his conclusion must acknowledge his (and God's) heart for them.
I cannot recommend this book more highly. Probably the most important, worldview-shaping book I've read this year.

[Christopher Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was 4/5, second half was 2/5. Worthwhile read simply bc it provides a different perspective from what is currently in the mainstream. This book does a decent job fairly criticizing the modern social justice movement while explicitly acknowledging what it gets right + what the church has been failing to provide.

I found as the book went on Williams became less precise with his writing and began making assertions that he couldn’t back up. If this book is seriously meant to be read by people who disagree with him, his sloppiness towards the end will certainly hurt the main mission. Williams just gets overeager with his arguments and begins making larger claims that mostly only score brownie points with readers from his tribe. (Reminded me a lot of Kendi in How To Be An Antiracist).

[Caroline Garza]

I firmly disagree with the majority of this book. While the premise that “God does not suggest - He commands that we fight injustice” gripped me in the beginning that’s not what this book came out to be.
Williams spent the whole book attacking & generalizing the arguments of ‘social justice b’. He argues furiously that those who support BLM, feminist movements, and affirmative action are acting against the Scripture. He gives no positive social action options for Christians except to not actively be racist. So by diminishing every single social justice cause I have heard of, he practically tells Christians to stop confronting injustice. His arguments are also very weak & frustrating.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second time to read this book this year, and I think I gained even more from it this time around. Williams offers compelling arguments that are centered on truth and presented with care. One of the main questions so many Christians are asking themselves today is how they can promote justice in the world. Williams points out that "The difference between those who do justice and those who merely think they do comes down to the question of truth." I think he does an excellent job of pointing out what Biblical justice is and what it is not - and what is at stake if we misinterpret it. Highly recommend.

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A more apt title might be “Confronting Social Justice” as the author’s main purpose was to challenge those who perform social justice incorrectly (according to him). While I think the book had some solid truths to it, I wish it had focused less on an us-vs-them mentality and more on what we can actually do as Christians to actively promote social justice in a biblical way.

[Bob O'Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well organized book to help Christians think through the current social justice movement. Williams approaches the topic by asking three questions in each of four areas: worship, community, salvation and knowledge. By giving us questions rather than dogmatic statements, Williams guides the reader to carefully think through what are very complex, nuanced and sometimes controversial issues.

The two major categories that Williams uses are “social justice A,” which is concerned with biblically compatible justice concerns, such as helping the poor, building hospitals, “upending racism” and protecting the unborn (4). There are also “social justice B” movements, however, which seek justice in various areas but with root convictions that conflict with a biblical view of reality. This book does a terrific job exposing the serious errors of the social justice B approach.

In reality, most Christians who are concerned about social justice are probably a combination of A and B, so we should be slow to pigeonhole anyone exclusively in one category or the other. This is why it is so important to think through this issue carefully, and from numerous angles, and this books leads us through it.

In chapter 9, Williams very helpfully clarifies that social justice is not one and the same with the gospel, as many Social Justice B proponents would claim. “If we confuse the gospel – the indicative announcement of the salvation accomplished on our behalf through the death and resurrection of Jesus – with the imperative to help human trafficking victims, then the good news is no longer good news. We find ourselves right back in the hopeless plight of works-based righteousness.” (113). While Martin Luther sought justification before God‘s law, today people are terror-stricken with guilt as they seek justification before the social justice demands of their fellow creatures (115). Apparently the doctrine of justification is still just as relevant as it always has been.

Through it all, Williams keeps the gospel central as the main lens through which we should view all social justice issues: “Any and all righteous status we have is solely in Jesus, not our color, not ethnicity, not gender, not the amount of oppression we or our ancestors have or haven’t experienced, not our good works, our ticking the right squares on the ballot, or our height on a hierarchy of privilege or pain; it is nothing but Jesus. The cross of Christ forms the spear through the heart of both far right and far left ideologies.” (51).

[Dan Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thaddeus Williams has written the best critique of the social justice movement I have read so far. It is an easy read and could be used with a small group (it has discussion questions at the end of each of the twelve chapters). It isn't a sophisticated or technical work, but an honest, penetrating, and critical look at the version of social justice being peddled by many today.

Williams demonstrates how changing definitions have made conversations difficult and tense. Helpfully, he differentiates between Social Justice A, a version compatible with and grounded in biblical truth, and Social Justice B, a newer version that is antithetical and hostile to the faith. He is very fair and very balanced - i.e. he acknowledges systemic racism still exists, but contends that assuming all institutions, all discourse, all power structures are racist is not helpful. He asks very good questions of those on the left, but doesn't let the right skate by either. His tone is generous - finding good even in ideas he disagrees with, and loving - he strongly advocates for doing justice, loving the poor, helping the downtrodden in ways that will have a good and lasting impact.

I can give this book a full-throated endorsement and would highly recommend it to everyone.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for well rounded information in our political climate that regulates Christian faith to back door conversations? Want a Biblical understanding of justice? How can we graciously counter a society that relies on anger to solve problems? A good read on a subject not disappearing anytime soon.

[Gaétan Brassard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I read this year!

[Anna Catherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confronting Injustice without Compromising truth is an incredibly important deep dive into today's social justice issues from a Christian perspective. It isn't perfect - no book outside the Bible is. But Williams' book, part theological tome, part history, and part political science, dotted with brief memoirs, is one of the best I've read to date tackling today's toughest issues through a Biblical lens. I just read it and I'm already thinking of reading it again. It has helped me to see today's social justice movement in a much more accurate light - and to recognize that, rather than becoming combative about particular policy issues, we should feel compassion on those who are caught up in destructive movements, and share the Gospel above all else.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excellent. I cannot recommend highly enough. Williams’ provides a reasoned, balanced, and biblical counter argument to the culturally prevailing views of so called “social justice”. Winsome, fair, and engaging insights compel the reader to consider afresh the biblical understanding of justice and truth.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air and truth rooted in the gospel amidst the shouts of the world.