“Zealous Love” (Zondervan, 256 pages, paperback) responds to an enigma many Christians face: how to legitimately impact the world’s biggest problems. The problems seem so big, and we seem so small. How can we begin?
The book features sharp graphics, glossy pages, and a full-color layout, which will please those who value a book’s design along with its content. “Zealous Love” joins “Drops Like Stars” as one of the best-looking books I’ve read.
Edited by a pair of Evangelical activists—Mike and Danae Yankoski— “Zealous Love” focuses on eight distinct issues considered to be the “world’s most pressing challenges”. Each chapter introduces a social-justice issue through background and statistics, followed by essay contributions from people who are acting on that issue. The chapters conclude with practical suggestions to make a difference in the pursuit of justice.
The eight issues discussed in “Zealous Love” are:
While this list includes many of the world’s most critical problems, I was discouraged by the absence of other major injustices. The issues selected for “Zealous Love” seem to be lowest-common-denominators, problems that most people of most faiths would agree deserve focus. More controversial social injustices are avoided, despite their demands for attention. For instance, I consider abortion to be the greatest modern injustice, yet it didn’t crack the top eight in this book.
“Zealous Love” exhibits this curious divide within modern social-justice movements. Many pro-life activists decry abortion, euthanasia, and war, while other justice-seekers focus on more tangible injustices—issues like poverty, sickness, and the environment. Sadly, overlap between these groups is not as common as it should be. “Zealous Love” would appeal more to those in the second group, while those in the first group would wonder why issues they perceive as critical are left out.
What wasn’t covered doesn’t take away from what was, though. The injustices chosen for the book are explored thoroughly. The background information is food for the mind, while the essays put faces and flesh on these abstract issues. I don’t think the book offered as many practical suggestions as its covers claimed. Most of the essayists were leaders of non-profit organizations or lived in other countries; their examples were inspiring, but their actions don’t translate easily to suburban American Christians. But overall, the book works well as a catalyst, stirring up interest and passion toward these issues.
“Zealous Love” is a beautiful book that develops the “hunger for justice” that Jesus encouraged. If you are wondering how to act on injustice, this book will help you start.
(A website associated with “Zealous Love” can be found here. The site features message boards and additional content to spur you on in your pursuit of justice. You can also go here to sample sections of the book.)