Economic Theory and Christian Belief

Economic Theory and Christian Belief PDF Author: Andrew J. Britton
Publisher: Peter Lang Limited, International Academic Publishers
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
Any attempt to use the Bible as a basis for addressing contemporary economic issues needs to recognise the fundamental differences in underlying philosophy between economic theory and Christian belief. Neo-classical economic theory embodies a view of the world and of human nature, derived from the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, which has become immensely influential in recent times. 'Economic man' is a rational, independent being, set in an environment of scarcity, but able to improve his welfare by transactions in a market economy. This 'anthropology' is explained and examined systematically in this book, following broadly the pattern of an economics textbook, and drawing on some recent work in methodology. In each chapter, a second part presents a contrasting view of the same subject matter drawn from the Bible as interpreted by contemporary scholars. This gives a radically different account of human life and well-being, centred on the community and its relationship with God, in which prosperity, abundance and hope for the future are divine blessings and gifts. Despite the wide gaps between economic theory and Christian belief some points of contact can be made, and there are suggestions as to how a dialogue between them might be conducted.

Economics in Christian Perspective

Economics in Christian Perspective PDF Author: Victor V. Claar
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830899901
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
Victor Claar and Robin Klay introduce students to the basic principles of economics and then evaluate the principles and issues as seen from a Christian perspective. This textbook places the economic life in the context of Christian discipleship and stewardship. This text is for use in any course needing a survey of the principles of economics.

Economic Theory and Christian Belief

Economic Theory and Christian Belief PDF Author: Andrew J. Britton
Publisher: Peter Lang Limited, International Academic Publishers
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 316

Get Book

Book Description
Any attempt to use the Bible as a basis for addressing contemporary economic issues needs to recognise the fundamental differences in underlying philosophy between economic theory and Christian belief. Neo-classical economic theory embodies a view of the world and of human nature, derived from the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, which has become immensely influential in recent times. 'Economic man' is a rational, independent being, set in an environment of scarcity, but able to improve his welfare by transactions in a market economy. This 'anthropology' is explained and examined systematically in this book, following broadly the pattern of an economics textbook, and drawing on some recent work in methodology. In each chapter, a second part presents a contrasting view of the same subject matter drawn from the Bible as interpreted by contemporary scholars. This gives a radically different account of human life and well-being, centred on the community and its relationship with God, in which prosperity, abundance and hope for the future are divine blessings and gifts. Despite the wide gaps between economic theory and Christian belief some points of contact can be made, and there are suggestions as to how a dialogue between them might be conducted.

The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Economics

The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Economics PDF Author: Paul Oslington
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199389535
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 656

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Book Description
Many important contemporary debates cross economics and religion, in turn raising questions about the relationship between the two fields. This book, edited by a leader in the new interdisciplinary field of economics and religion and with contributions by experts on different aspects of the relationship between economics and Christianity, maps the current state of scholarship and points to new directions for the field. It covers the history of the relationship between economics and Christianity, economic thinking in the main Christian traditions, and the role of religion in economic development, as well as new work on the economics of religious behavior and religious markets and topics of debate between economists and theologians. It is essential reading for economists concerned with the foundations of their discipline, historians, moral philosophers, theologians seeking to engage with economics, and public policy researchers and practitioners.

Economic Origins of Roman Christianity

Economic Origins of Roman Christianity PDF Author: Robert Burton Ekelund
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226200027
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description
Using basic concepts of economic theory, the authors explain the origin and subsequent spread of Roman Christianity, showing first how the standard concepts of risk, cost and benefit can account for the demand for religion.

Biblical Economic Policy: Ten Scriptural Truths for Fiscal and Monetary Decision-Making

Biblical Economic Policy: Ten Scriptural Truths for Fiscal and Monetary Decision-Making PDF Author: David Arnott PhD
Publisher: AuthorLoyalty
ISBN: 163269557X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 353

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Book Description
What does the Bible say about economics? A lot. What about socialism, which is becoming an increasingly common concern in US economic policy discussions? In Biblical Economic Policy, Arnott and Saydometov build a biblical framework for analyzing national economic policy that takes on everything from taxes to spending to tariffs to minimum wage. The Bible has something to say about all these critical present-day issues, and this book explains how to apply it to 21st-century policies. Authors Dave Arnott and Sergiy Saydometov hold up the mirror of the Bible and ask their fellow Christians, “Is this the way we're supposed to run a biblical economy?” What the book is not: ● It is NOT a financial advice book. ● It is NOT about how to apply business principles at work. ● It is NOT about stewardship or giving. ● It is NOT about how to run your business for the glory of God. Biblical Economic Policy takes the macroeconomic view and analyzes how well America's economic policies align with biblical principles. This book tackles difficult present-day economic policies, including taxes, spending, national debt, interest rates, and money supply. Written with sound biblical grounding, in accessible language, Biblical Economic Policy will turn the common reader into a biblical economic analyst.

Economics as Religion

Economics as Religion PDF Author: Robert H. Nelson
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 0271066199
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 437

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Book Description
Robert Nelson’s Reaching for Heaven on Earth, Economics as Religion, and The New Holy Wars: Economic Religion Versus Environmental Religion in Contemporary America read almost like a trilogy, exploring and charting the boundaries of theology and economics from the Western foundations of ancient Greece through the traditions that Nelson identifies as “Protestant” and “Roman,” and on into modern economic forms such as Marxism and capitalism, as well as environmentalism. Nelson argues that economics can be a genuine form of religion and that it should inform our understanding of the religious developments of our times. This edition of Economics as Religion situates the influence of his work in the scholarly economic and theological conversations of today and reflects on the state of the economics profession and the potential implications for theology, economics, and other social sciences.

Alternatives to Economics

Alternatives to Economics PDF Author: Clive Saunders Beed
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description
Alternatives to Economics outlines the Christian thought system and its value as an alternative to secular social science in the development of socio-economic policies. Co-authors, Clive and Cara Beed demonstrate how the Christian thought system could be applied to issues such as distribution of wealth and the growing unemployment problem. The Christian thought system provides an alternative way of describing, explaining, and formulating policies for socio-economic matters from that of secular social science. Alternatives to Economics finds the current state of economics severely flawed, with no set of value-free, objective "tools" that can be used to analyze the economy. This book seeks to present these Christian thought system "tools" to both Christians and non-Christians.

The Marketplace of Christianity

The Marketplace of Christianity PDF Author: Robert B. Ekelund, Jr.
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262262622
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 367

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Book Description
Economics can help us understand the evolution and development of religion, from the market penetration of the Reformation to an exploration of today's hot-button issues including evolution and gay marriage. This startlingly original (and sure to be controversial) account of the evolution of Christianity shows that the economics of religion has little to do with counting the money in the collection basket and much to do with understanding the background of today's religious and political divisions. Since religion is a set of organized beliefs, and a church is an organized body of worshippers, it's natural to use a science that seeks to explain the behavior of organizations—economics—to understand the development of organized religion. The Marketplace of Christianity applies the tools of economic theory to illuminate the emergence of Protestantism in the sixteenth century and to examine contemporary religion-influenced issues, including evolution and gay marriage. The Protestant Reformation, the authors argue, can be seen as a successful penetration of a religious market dominated by a monopoly firm—the Catholic Church. The Ninety-five Theses nailed to the church door in Wittenberg by Martin Luther raised the level of competition within Christianity to a breaking point. The Counter-Reformation, the Catholic reaction, continued the competitive process, which came to include "product differentiation" in the form of doctrinal and organizational innovation. Economic theory shows us how Christianity evolved to satisfy the changing demands of consumers—worshippers. The authors of The Marketplace of Christianity avoid value judgments about religion. They take preferences for religion as given and analyze its observable effects on society and the individual. They provide the reader with clear and nontechnical background information on economics and the economics of religion before focusing on the Reformation and its aftermath. Their analysis of contemporary hot-button issues—science vs. religion, liberal vs. conservative, clerical celibacy, women and gay clergy, gay marriage—offers a vivid illustration of the potential of economic analysis to contribute to our understanding of religion.

Economics, Ethics and Religion

Economics, Ethics and Religion PDF Author: R. Wilson
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230374727
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
There is a revival of interest by economists in ethical issues and beliefs, and by moral philosophers and theologians in economics. This book is intended to make a contribution to this cross-fertilisation of ideas. Rodney Wilson has undertaken an extensive survey of Jewish, Christian and Muslim views on economics, and reviewed the rapidly expanding business ethics literature from a religious perspective. The juxtaposition of the work of theologians and moral philosophers with that of economists results in some interesting comparisons.

Global Neighbors

Global Neighbors PDF Author: Douglas A. Hicks
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802860338
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
How can people of faith meet the challenge of living morally and faithfully within an increasingly globalized society? Much of the debate about the global market economy is polarized between pro-market ideology and anti-globalization activism. Global Neighbors sidesteps that dichotomy, presenting instead a nuanced, constructive approach. Leading theologians, ethicists, economists, and church leaders here examine the Christian call to live morally, faithfully, and responsibly in today's global marketplace and offer alternative perspectives to such utilitarians as Peter Singer. Contributors: Robert D. Austin Rebecca M. Blank Lee Devin William Goettler Eric Gregory Douglas A. Hicks Janet Parker Rebecca Todd Peters Shirley J. Roels Mark Valeri Jeff Van Duzer Kent Van Til Thomas W. Walker