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Book Review: Everyday Justice

by Bonnie McMaken

Sometimes we feel crippled by the pain and oppression in the world. So many causes. So many worthy callings. We think our actions have to be big or even vocational; it’s overwhelming and paralyzing.

But what if even our small actions—like what we eat, drink, drive, and wear—can make a difference to others and the environment? Julie Clawson’s new book, Everyday Justice (IVP Books), helps us answer this question. Her practical guide takes the obscurity out of “social justice,” a buzz phrase we hear all the time in our churches and in the media. What does it mean to live justly (Micah 6:8), and why is it important in our mission to love God, others, and creation?

Clawson fuses a healthy understanding of worship and justice: “Worship doesn’t merely involve enacting the cultural rituals of worship of personal piety, but more importantly, it involves how we treat others. . . . Following God in full obedience is an act of worship, which means acting justly is part of what it means to worship God.” In other words, what we do in the sanctuary should inform what we do in our homes, in our ministries, and in the world.

Everyday Justice addresses relevant commodities: coffee, chocolate, cars, food, and clothes. The last two chapters are about waste and debt. In each chapter, Clawson describes a brief history of the topic, a biblical response, how our ignorance contributes to unfair practices around the globe, and what steps we can take in combating these injustices.

I like knowing how my actions can make a difference, which is why I appreciate the practical approach Clawson takes. Many books on justice are thoughtful but theoretical. While Everyday Justice unpacks the biblical, historical, and sociological realities behind the choices we make and what we buy, Clawson has done the heavy lifting and gives us simple (but not always easy) steps we can take.

For example, the chapters that were most poignant for me were the chapters on coffee, chocolate, and food. We hear terms like “fair trade” and “organic” thrown around, but what do they really mean, and why are they important? Many of the farmers that produce these commodities are exploited for their time, labor, and commodities. They struggle to survive on the wages they receive for their work and are trapped in an unfair system. There is no way out.

When we buy wisely, we support these farmers and the companies with just business practices. We are not helpless consumers. Through our choices, we have the power to advocate for the voiceless and enact small change. While these sacrifices take intentionality and careful budgeting, they do not have to be drastic. Clawson’s philosophy is “tweaking” our behavior, not changing our lives.

Everyday Justice can help us incorporate these small changes into our daily lives. Julie Clawson is clear that we don’t live this way simply because it’s trendy, but because God calls each of us to gospel-centered justice.

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Posted by Bonnie McMaken on January 13, 2010 2:08 PM

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