Politicians, faith leaders to consider role of Scripture in tackling poverty

Politicians and faith leaders will be considering the role of Scripture in fighting poverty at the forthcoming 'Good News to the Poor' reception.

Weeks ahead of the G20 gathering of global leaders in London, the recently launched Poverty and Justice Bible will take centre-stage at the reception on 10 February, organised by Bible Society and the Treasury office.

Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, will be speaking as well as Bible Society’s Chief Executive James Catford.

"At the G20, issues such as trade justice, poverty, health inequalities, and conflicts, will be discussed in the context of the developing global recession," said Dave Landrum, Bible Society’s Parliamentary Officer and organiser of Good News to the Poor.

"Our aim is to show the enduring role of the Bible in government, and in addressing these important issues," he added.

Good News to the Poor is part of Bible Society’s commitment to making the Bible heard worldwide.

Also joining in discussions are faith leaders, MPs, peers, heads of charities and aid organisation, NGOs and policy community leaders. Government ministers of departments responsible for poverty and justice issues have also been invited.

The Poverty and Justice Bible is the first to highlight more than 2,000 passages that speak of God’s attitude to poverty and justice. Challenging the notion that the Bible is a dusty, outdated rulebook, it shows that, on the biggest issues of our day, God got there first.

Recently a Poverty and Justice Bible was sent to President Barack Obama, after reports that the Bible was mysteriously absent from his second swearing-in. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown was last year presented a copy by James Catford at Downing Street.

The Poverty and Justice Bible, which includes a 32-page study guide, has a focus on ‘doing’ to help today’s Christians link social action with Scripture. Topics range from equality to education, farming to Fairtrade. The studies highlight that concern for the oppressed is foundational to faith, and encourage action – from giving, to praying, to living responsibly.