Athol Gill was a Baptist Minister, New Testament scholar and founder of the House of Freedom in Brisbane and the House of the Gentle Bunyip in Melbourne. Internationally recognised both as a scholar and provocative advocate for the poor and social justice, he was fired by two theological colleges, before being re-instated by one. He campaigned relentlessly for the church to adhere to the teachings of its founder, Jesus of Nazareth, and for society to be reshaped along the lines of peace and justice. He was 54 years old when he died.

This book includes a previously unpublished study "Good News to the Poor: Poverty and the Poor in the Bible", completed by Athol just before his death.