Center for Public Justice
Encyclopedia
The Center for Public Justice is a Christian think tank
which undertakes to bring a Christian worldview to bear on policy issues.
It is rooted in the European Christian-political tradition of such Dutch figures as Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer
, Abraham Kuyper
, and Herman Dooyeweerd
. James W. Skillen, who served as the organization's first Executive Director (1981-2000) and later President (2000-2008) has had an important influence on the organization. Since October 2009 the organization has been headed by CEO Gideon Strauss, a former interpreter with South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and adviser to the group that drafted the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Fellows of the Center for Public Justice include Richard A. Baer, Jr. (Professor Emeritus, Cornell University), Stanley W. Carlson-Thies (President, Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance), Charles L. Glenn (Professor, Boston University), Stephen Monsma (Research Fellow, Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics, Calvin College), and Harold Dean Trulear (Associate Professor, Howard University School of Divinity).
.
provisions of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 since 1994 and, particularly through the efforts of former senior fellow Stanley W. Carlson-Thies, was any early advocate for the ideas that eventually led to the creation of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
In 2010 the Center for Public Justice sponsored a panel series on Immigration Reform in partnership with Nyack College’s Institute for Public Service & Policy Development, the Institute for Global Engagement, the National Association of Evangelicals
, and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. They have publicly advocated a just model of immigration reform.
In response to the 2011 budget crisis, the Center for Public Justice released a "A Call for Intergenerational Justice: A Christian Proposal for the American Debt Crisis" in conjunction with the group Evangelicals for Social Action. Signers of the document included Michael Gerson
, Richard Mouw
, Ron Sider
, and Stepanie Summers.
Since 1996, the Center for Public Justice has published a weekly online journal Capital Commentary.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
which undertakes to bring a Christian worldview to bear on policy issues.
It is rooted in the European Christian-political tradition of such Dutch figures as Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer
Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer
Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer , Dutch politician and historian, was born at Voorburg, near the Hague.-Overview:...
, Abraham Kuyper
Abraham Kuyper
Abraham Kuijper generally known as Abraham Kuyper, was a Dutch politician, journalist, statesman and theologian...
, and Herman Dooyeweerd
Herman Dooyeweerd
Herman Dooyeweerd was a Dutch juridical scholar by training, who by vocation was a philosopher and the founder of the philosophy of the cosmonomic idea. He received early support for his work from his brother-in-law D. H. Th. Vollenhoven...
. James W. Skillen, who served as the organization's first Executive Director (1981-2000) and later President (2000-2008) has had an important influence on the organization. Since October 2009 the organization has been headed by CEO Gideon Strauss, a former interpreter with South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and adviser to the group that drafted the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Fellows of the Center for Public Justice include Richard A. Baer, Jr. (Professor Emeritus, Cornell University), Stanley W. Carlson-Thies (President, Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance), Charles L. Glenn (Professor, Boston University), Stephen Monsma (Research Fellow, Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics, Calvin College), and Harold Dean Trulear (Associate Professor, Howard University School of Divinity).
History
Originally founded in 1977 as the Association for Public Justice, the board of trustees renamed the organization in 1990. It is now located in Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
.
Views
The Center for Public Justice has argued there is a biblical basis for a positive role for the political process and public officials.Work
The Center for Public Justice has been involved in the promotion of the Charitable choiceCharitable choice
Charitable choice refers to direct United States government funding of religious organizations to provide social services.Created in 1996, charitable choice allows government officials to purchase services from religious providers using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , Welfare-to-Work, and...
provisions of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 since 1994 and, particularly through the efforts of former senior fellow Stanley W. Carlson-Thies, was any early advocate for the ideas that eventually led to the creation of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
In 2010 the Center for Public Justice sponsored a panel series on Immigration Reform in partnership with Nyack College’s Institute for Public Service & Policy Development, the Institute for Global Engagement, the National Association of Evangelicals
National Association of Evangelicals
The National Association of Evangelicals is a fellowship of member denominations, churches, organizations, and individuals. Its goal is to honor God by connecting and representing evangelicals in the United States. Today it works in four main areas: Church & Faith Partners, Government Relations,...
, and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. They have publicly advocated a just model of immigration reform.
In response to the 2011 budget crisis, the Center for Public Justice released a "A Call for Intergenerational Justice: A Christian Proposal for the American Debt Crisis" in conjunction with the group Evangelicals for Social Action. Signers of the document included Michael Gerson
Michael Gerson
Michael John Gerson is an op-ed columnist for The Washington Post, a Policy Fellow with the ONE Campaign, and a former senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as President George W...
, Richard Mouw
Richard Mouw
Richard J. Mouw is currently President at Fuller Theological Seminary. He also holds the post of Professor of Christian Philosophy.- Education and career :...
, Ron Sider
Ron Sider
Ronald James Sider is a Canadian-born American theologian and Christian activist. He is often identified by others with the Christian left, though he personally disclaims any political inclination. He is the founder of Evangelicals for Social Action, a think-tank which seeks to develop biblical...
, and Stepanie Summers.
Since 1996, the Center for Public Justice has published a weekly online journal Capital Commentary.
External links
- CPJ's website
- "Religious Groups Slow to Accept Government Money to Help the Poor". New York Times. Laurie Goodstein. October 17, 2000.