David Beckmann, former president of Bread for the World, smiles during an interview with Catholic News Service in Washington May 2, 2019. (CNS/Bob Roller)
by John Dear
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On this week's episode of "The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast," I speak with David Beckmann, former president of Bread for the World, a Christian advocacy organization that fights poverty and hunger. His many books include: Eden Revival; The Overseas List; Grace at the Table; Exodus from Hunger, and his latest book, Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, Activism, and Hope for Difficult Times.
"In recent decades the world has made dramatic progress against poverty," Beckmann said. "But now, the second Trump administration has pushed that progress into full reverse. I'm so appalled that we are systematically dismantling things that are important to the poor in the U.S. and the world. It's certainly possible to end poverty where starvation and malnutrition exist. We don't have to have millions of kids go without food in the U.S., yet we do."
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"Our hope is built on Jesus' promise of the kingdom of God, but we have to do our share and advocate for justice and an end to poverty," he added.
In the end, Beckmann calls us to "seek and form loving, justice-seeking churches; to think critically about our faith and the work to end poverty; and to open our hearts to God's universal, forgiving love. Those who imagine a loving, forgiving God, instead of a violent, punishing God, are more inclined to work for justice and the end of poverty."
