What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness?
Reclaiming the Intersection of Protest and Prayer
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
“Dates doesn’t speak on his own authority. He takes us to the authority of God expressed in Scripture to demonstrate how the wrongful tearing apart of righteousness and justice within much of the church has also torn us apart.” — Beth Moore, founder and president of Living Proof Ministries Justice is God's Righteousness in Action Reclaim what was always meant to be whole. Justice and righteousness are not opposing forces but inseparable pillars of God’s design. But often our minds divide them, even set them in opposition to one another. In What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness?, Rev. Dr. Charlie E. Dates provides a biblical and historical overview of the bond between these two pillars of the Christian faith that challenges our assumptions, renews our understanding, and invites us into a new movement of protest and prayer. With biblical wisdom, theological reflection, and an honest critique of cultural blind spots, this book boldly declares that justice is God’s righteousness in action. True justice cannot exist apart from righteousness, and righteousness is hollow without a commitment to justice. God’s justice restores and reconciles. “When Jesus hung on a cross, God got justice, and we got righteousness.” In What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness? you will: Understand Justice Through a Biblical Lens: Explore how the Bible defines justice as an expression of God's character and His kingdompurpose. Resist Systemic Injustice on Biblical Grounds: Learn how Scripture equips believers to stand against oppression and advocate for equity in society. Persevere in God’s Truth: Receive spiritual guidance and motivation to remain steadfast in the pursuit of God’s justice. Dates challenges assumptions, exposes divisions, and delivers a call to action for both protest and prayer. Prepare to be called, inspired, and equipped to resist systemic injustice on biblical grounds and embody both justice and righteousness in every step you take. Are you ready to unite what the world seeks to divide?
Endorsements (3)
“What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness? is one of the most dynamic works written on the inseparable connection between justice and righteousness within the American church and culture. Author Charlie Dates holds nothing back, masterfully presenting a biblically grounded case that the call of the Christian is 'to think rightly about God and humanity.' This book is certain to provoke reflection and perhaps even discomfort, but it reminds us that our divine assignments are not always meant to be easy or comfortable. I strongly encourage anyone who is genuinely interested in the unity of the body of Christ in America to read this book and engage in meaningful, transformative dialogue.”
“In a time when justice is often reduced to a political slogan and righteousness is divorced from biblical truth, What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness? offers a timely and necessary corrective. This book reminds us that justice without righteousness becomes ideology, and righteousness without justice becomes hypocrisy. Scripture does not allow us to choose between the two. God demands both. Jesus embodied both. Charlie Dates stands as one of the most compelling, courageous, and biblically grounded voices of this generation. His clarity, conviction, prophetic voice, and pastoral heart shape every page of this book, making his contribution especially vital in this critical hour for the church and our nation. If we are serious about transforming our cities, strengthening our families, and restoring moral and spiritual order, we must recover the biblical connection between justice and righteousness. This book guides us in doing just that. I commend it to pastors, leaders, and believers who seek to walk in truth and love while serving God in a broken world.”
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