Theology of the Hammer puts faith into action to build homes & hope
Editor’s note: “How we build a better world” is a regular series of articles featuring a closer look at the methods and principles of enlightened charity that make our affordable housing ministry work so effectively.
Our affordable housing ministry was founded on the basic Christian principles that we are called to love our neighbor and that we are on God’s earth to put our faith into action. As our founder, Millard Fuller often paraphrased from the Book of James: “Faith without works is as dead as a doornail.”
We are unashamedly Christian. Our roots trace back to the 1940s and the intentional Christian community of Koinonia Farm in Sumter County, Georgia — what theologian and founder Clarence Jordan called “a demonstration plot for the Kingdom of God.”
More than two decades later, it was there that Millard Fuller met Jordan. Together they developed the concept of partnership housing as a way to uplift families in need and make the commandment to “love thy neighbor” real and tangible.
Millard later called this approach “The Theology of the Hammer,” and it continues to guide our work today. We believe actions speak louder than words. As Fuller Center President David Snell has said:
“When you tell people about the Gospel, they don’t always listen. But when you show them what you’re up to, you send a message. Every home we build is a message about the Gospel. Every home we build is a sermon of God’s love.”
Our work is strengthened by a spirit of openness. We do not practice our Theology of the Hammer in isolation. Instead, we pitch a big tent and welcome everyone who shares the belief that families deserve dignity and the opportunity to become homeowners.
We believe Jesus would not want us to place religious requirements on volunteers or partner families, so we don’t. Around the world, our partner families include Hindus in Nepal, Buddhists in Sri Lanka, and Muslims in parts of Africa. Some volunteers who join us are not believers but are drawn to the work itself. At the same time, we have also seen people come to faith after working alongside us and seeing Christian love expressed through action.
Of course, not everyone agrees on exactly how faith should be expressed in our work. Occasionally someone objects to any mention of faith at all. Others feel we should proclaim the Gospel more loudly and directly.
But we believe the most effective way The Fuller Center for Housing can spread the Gospel is through the Theology of the Hammer — putting faith into action by helping families build safe, affordable homes.
Every wall raised and every home completed becomes a quiet but powerful witness of God’s love.
We'd love to hear your comments!