For some this is a controversial and provocative position. Good! I want to provoke a debate because that would be healthy. It’s the indifference to the question that is killing us.

This quote sums up the entire book pretty well. Scott C. Todd, Senior Vice President for Global Advocacy at Compassion International, uses this book to propose that extreme poverty can be eradicated within this generation. He points to statistics showing a 50% decrease in extreme poverty over the past generation. He addresses the assumption that the poor will always be with us. He argues that this statement made by Jesus in Matthew 26:11 was addressed specifically to Judas to rebuke him for his misplaced priorities and was never meant to indicate that poverty is an insurmountable problem.

Hope Rising is definitely a provocative book. It’s not one I would recommend sitting down and accepting without a lot of thought. It is meant to be thought about and wrestled with. I came to the conclusion that the author has many valid points about the potential of eradicating poverty, but I think he has an overly optimistic view on the goodwill of humanity in general. However, it’s very true that the church today has some incredible untapped potential. For example, did you know that 94% of money given in churches is spent within the church rather than being turned outward to help the poor and spread the gospel? Imagine the impact that could be had if even a fraction of that money was re-prioritized. I have a feeling I’ll be wrestling with the message of this book for quite a while.

NOTE: BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own.