All too often, missions have been narrowly defined as evangelism or at best, extending to practical, physical social action such as medical mission or education. On the Side of the Angels argues that human rights and justice need to be reclaimed by evangelical Christians and that human rights work should be seen as central to Kingdom mission, not just regarded as a secondary activity and labeled "political. "The book draws on the authors first-hand experiences of places of persecution and oppression, including Burma, East Timor and India, along with their work of advocacy in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, United Nations and other forums. Its chapters include examining the biblical basis for activism, real-life stories of crimes against humanity, religious persecution, torture, discrimination and injustice. Concrete examples of how to do advocacy and inspiring examples of great Christian human rights activists, past and present, will motivate and challenge readers to be advocates of God?'s love and justice.

UPDATED For more than 50 years, Burma has been ruled by a succession of military regimes which rank among the most oppressive dictatorships in the world. Accused of crimes against humanity, they have brutally mistreated their people. Yet, in the last few years, the pace of change has been breathtaking. Much is now hoped for. However, Burma is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in Southeast Asia: there are roughly seven major ethnic groups living along its borders. They have a long history of conflict with the government and have been cruelly treated by the current regime. Their future affects the country as a whole, as Benedict Rogers explains. Drawing heavily on his many fact-finding visits both inside Burma and along its frontiers, he gives a unique appraisal of the current ethnic situation and its implications for the nation as a whole. Wide-ranging, expertly researched, and full of brand new accounts of the courage and determination of the Burmese people, Burma: A Nation at the Crossroads explains the country's conflicted history, as well as its contemporary struggle for justice. Burma stands poised for freedom, or for further repression. No one can be sure. This fascinating and accessible book describes what is really happening inside this beautiful, secretive, and potentially prosperous country.

This is a powerful and inspirational challenge to the Western Church to take the systematic, symbolic and comprehensive attacks on Christians of all denominations around the world seriously. That Christians are persecuted in various parts of the world is well-known. Less often documented are the violent, systematic attacks on churches and holy sites. Part of an historic process, places of Christian worship have been destroyed over the centuries, from the middle ages through the Armenian genocide and the assaults on Christians in the Middle East and Turkey through to the present day. This book focuses on the continuing attacks on Christian communities in many parts of the world today. Baroness Cox presents graphic photographs and survivors' accounts as testimony to widespread destruction, and provides powerful documentary evidence of contemporary persecution. This is a powerful challenge to the rest of the Church, and advocates of religious freedom, to take these attacks on Christians of all denominations seriously. She writes, 'no other belief tradition has suffered such sustained assaults - or been so silent about violence perpetrated against its own people.' Though painful, the contents combine to provide a moving celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and the Christian faith.