European and North American notions of helping - or managing - poor and marginalised people have deep roots in religious texts and traditions which continue to influence contemporary social policy and social work practice in ways which many do not realise. Bringing together interdisciplinary scholarship, Mark Henrickson argues that it is essential to understand and critique social work's origins in order to work out what to retain and what must change if we are to achieve the vision of a truly global profession. Addressing current debates in international social work about social justice, professionalisation, and the legacy of colonisation, this thought-provoking book will allow practitioners and scholars to consider and create a global future for social work.