The View from Down in Poordom

Reflections on Scriptures Addressing Poverty

In The View From Down in Poordom, Paul McKay challenges the notion that through hard work and effort, anyone can overcome the modern-day challenges of poverty, a view that leads to stereotyping and scapegoating the poor. In sharing poignant stories about poor people hes known in the U.S. and third-world Belize, and by sharing his passionate opinions in an even-handed, non-threatening way, he offers a scripture-based vision of how we can know God by knowing the poor.

Susanne Johnson, Ph.D. Perkins School of Theology

Paul McKay reminds us that, if we pay attention to life down in Poordom, we will discover responsibilities we too often evade and truths about the layered experience of poverty that we often studiously ignore. But we will also discover unexpected treasures: the gift of friendship, wisdom that cannot be purchased, and the face of God.

Frederick W. Schmidt, Rueben P. Job Chair in Spiritual Formation, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and author of The Dave Test: A Raw Look at Real Faith in Hard Times