Title: Center for Public Justice [US] and Committee for Justice and Liberty Foundation [Canada] Collection, 1965-1987
Abstract
Center for Public Justice and Committee for Justice and Liberty Foundation are organizations dedicated to propagating biblical principles in Christian communal action in society, especially in the political sphere. The collection includes materials from Christian Action Foundation (CAF), National Association for Christian Political Action (NACPA), Justice for All, Citizens for Public Justice, Committee for Justice and Liberty, and Center for Public Justice in the form of constitutions, addresses, correspondence, proposals, and newsletters.
Administrative/Biographical History
CPJ (1977-Present)
The Center for Public Justice (CPJ) developed out of the Association for Public Justice (APJ) and the APJ Education Fund with a purpose to serve God, advance justice and transform public life. The organization first started with people in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, but in the 1980s, the organization grew and opened a Washington D.C. office. In the 1990s, CPJ spreads internationally, with the Center’s president, James Skillen, visiting with European officials and the Center co-hosting the international conference at Emory University. In 2007, CPJ even began to publish its own periodical called Root & Branch. In 2009 president, Skillen retired and Dr. Gideon Strauss became CPJ’s new president.
CPL (1962-Present)
The CPL started with a small group of Christians in Alberta, Canada first starting the Christian Action Foundation in 1962. In 1971, the Christian Action Foundation and Committee for Justice and Liberty (CPL) of Ontario merged under the name of CPL. In the 1970s, the CJL became more nationally involved, holding political conventions and appearing before the National Energy Board. Throughout the decades, the CPL approached many different topics such as abortion, refugees and immigration, child poverty, and environmental issues.