A night with Dr. Charlie E. Dates, author of "What hath Justice to do with Righteousness?"

Main message: Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan shows that God often uses the most unlikely people to do what is right, and genuine righteousness must be expressed as justice in concrete action — not just private piety. The church must marry orthodoxy with orthopraxy: loving God and loving neighbor means both mercy to individuals and fixing broken systems.

Key points:

• The sermon centers on Luke 10:25–37 (the Good Samaritan) and is titled "the wrong person who is right" — the Samaritan, an unexpected hero, models compassion in action.
• Scripture and history show God raises unlikely people and places (e.g., Ruth, David, Joseph, modern examples) to accomplish his purposes.
• Righteousness and justice are inseparable in Scripture; true faith must produce practical care (oil, wine, payment) and systemic change.
• We need more than lone "good Samaritans" — we must repair the “roads” (schools, criminal-justice systems, healthcare, housing, gun policy) that allow harm to persist.
• The church must be prophetic and courageous: call its own people to account, prepare leaders to run for office, and engage civically while maintaining biblical righteousness.
• Forgiveness is distinct from reconciliation and restoration; forgiving does not erase the need for justice or the restoration of dignity.

Scriptures mentioned: Luke 10:25–37, Isaiah 9:6 (and following verse referring to justice and righteousness), Romans 1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 14:6