Author: Eric Kerridge
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781138736788
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This title was first published in 2003: In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas takes what most assume to be the orthodox Christian position when he condemns the practice of usury, which he defines as the charging a price for the loan of a sum of money. Yet, whilst this definition has become widely accepted by historians, it is clear from a close reading of contemporary texts, that by the Reformation, the situation was in fact much more complicated. Indeed, by the middle of the sixteenth century, Melanchthon was confidently to assert 'that which is interest is wholly different from usuries'. This book is the first systematic study of the practice of moneylending during the Reformation. Through the detailed examination of a variety of documents, it challenges the established views on usury and interest, providing a fresh interpretation that explains how figures such as Luther could condemn usury whilst still upholding the legality of lending money at interest. Divided into two parts, the first half of the book provides a background to the subject, putting forward Professor Kerridge's arguments about usury and interest in the context of the Reformation. The second part of the book presents selections from 38 contemporary documents on the subject (in both the original language and English translation) written by key Reformation figures such as Calvin, Luther and Zwingli. As such, this book will be useful as both a research and reference work
Usury, Interest and the Reformation
Author: Eric Kerridge
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781138736788
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This title was first published in 2003: In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas takes what most assume to be the orthodox Christian position when he condemns the practice of usury, which he defines as the charging a price for the loan of a sum of money. Yet, whilst this definition has become widely accepted by historians, it is clear from a close reading of contemporary texts, that by the Reformation, the situation was in fact much more complicated. Indeed, by the middle of the sixteenth century, Melanchthon was confidently to assert 'that which is interest is wholly different from usuries'. This book is the first systematic study of the practice of moneylending during the Reformation. Through the detailed examination of a variety of documents, it challenges the established views on usury and interest, providing a fresh interpretation that explains how figures such as Luther could condemn usury whilst still upholding the legality of lending money at interest. Divided into two parts, the first half of the book provides a background to the subject, putting forward Professor Kerridge's arguments about usury and interest in the context of the Reformation. The second part of the book presents selections from 38 contemporary documents on the subject (in both the original language and English translation) written by key Reformation figures such as Calvin, Luther and Zwingli. As such, this book will be useful as both a research and reference work
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781138736788
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This title was first published in 2003: In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas takes what most assume to be the orthodox Christian position when he condemns the practice of usury, which he defines as the charging a price for the loan of a sum of money. Yet, whilst this definition has become widely accepted by historians, it is clear from a close reading of contemporary texts, that by the Reformation, the situation was in fact much more complicated. Indeed, by the middle of the sixteenth century, Melanchthon was confidently to assert 'that which is interest is wholly different from usuries'. This book is the first systematic study of the practice of moneylending during the Reformation. Through the detailed examination of a variety of documents, it challenges the established views on usury and interest, providing a fresh interpretation that explains how figures such as Luther could condemn usury whilst still upholding the legality of lending money at interest. Divided into two parts, the first half of the book provides a background to the subject, putting forward Professor Kerridge's arguments about usury and interest in the context of the Reformation. The second part of the book presents selections from 38 contemporary documents on the subject (in both the original language and English translation) written by key Reformation figures such as Calvin, Luther and Zwingli. As such, this book will be useful as both a research and reference work
Reforming the Morality of Usury
Author: David W. Jones
Publisher: University Press of America
ISBN: 9780761827498
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 184
Book Description
In the early years of the sixteenth century, the Church experienced a dramatic shift in its moral perception of the practice of usury. Leaders of the continental Protestant Reformation (Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anabaptist) all grappled with the Roman Catholic Church's moral teaching on the practice of lending money at interest. Although these three theological streams addressed the same moral problem, at relatively the same time, they each responded differently. Reforming the Morality of Usury examines how the leaders of each major stream in the continental Protestant Reformation adopted a different approach to reforming moral teaching on the practice of usury.
Publisher: University Press of America
ISBN: 9780761827498
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 184
Book Description
In the early years of the sixteenth century, the Church experienced a dramatic shift in its moral perception of the practice of usury. Leaders of the continental Protestant Reformation (Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anabaptist) all grappled with the Roman Catholic Church's moral teaching on the practice of lending money at interest. Although these three theological streams addressed the same moral problem, at relatively the same time, they each responded differently. Reforming the Morality of Usury examines how the leaders of each major stream in the continental Protestant Reformation adopted a different approach to reforming moral teaching on the practice of usury.
Beggar Thy Neighbor
Author: Charles R. Geisst
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
ISBN: 0812207505
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 396
Book Description
The practice of charging interest on loans has been controversial since it was first mentioned in early recorded history. Lending is a powerful economic tool, vital to the development of society but it can also lead to disaster if left unregulated. Prohibitions against excessive interest, or usury, have been found in almost all societies since antiquity. Whether loans were made in kind or in cash, creditors often were accused of beggar-thy-neighbor exploitation when their lending terms put borrowers at risk of ruin. While the concept of usury reflects transcendent notions of fairness, its definition has varied over time and place: Roman law distinguished between simple and compound interest, the medieval church banned interest altogether, and even Adam Smith favored a ceiling on interest. But in spite of these limits, the advantages and temptations of lending prompted financial innovations from margin investing and adjustable-rate mortgages to credit cards and microlending. In Beggar Thy Neighbor, financial historian Charles R. Geisst tracks the changing perceptions of usury and debt from the time of Cicero to the most recent financial crises. This comprehensive economic history looks at humanity's attempts to curb the abuse of debt while reaping the benefits of credit. Beggar Thy Neighbor examines the major debt revolutions of the past, demonstrating that extensive leverage and debt were behind most financial market crashes from the Renaissance to the present day. Geisst argues that usury prohibitions, as part of the natural law tradition in Western and Islamic societies, continue to play a key role in banking regulation despite modern advances in finance. From the Roman Empire to the recent Dodd-Frank financial reforms, usury ceilings still occupy a central place in notions of free markets and economic justice.
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
ISBN: 0812207505
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 396
Book Description
The practice of charging interest on loans has been controversial since it was first mentioned in early recorded history. Lending is a powerful economic tool, vital to the development of society but it can also lead to disaster if left unregulated. Prohibitions against excessive interest, or usury, have been found in almost all societies since antiquity. Whether loans were made in kind or in cash, creditors often were accused of beggar-thy-neighbor exploitation when their lending terms put borrowers at risk of ruin. While the concept of usury reflects transcendent notions of fairness, its definition has varied over time and place: Roman law distinguished between simple and compound interest, the medieval church banned interest altogether, and even Adam Smith favored a ceiling on interest. But in spite of these limits, the advantages and temptations of lending prompted financial innovations from margin investing and adjustable-rate mortgages to credit cards and microlending. In Beggar Thy Neighbor, financial historian Charles R. Geisst tracks the changing perceptions of usury and debt from the time of Cicero to the most recent financial crises. This comprehensive economic history looks at humanity's attempts to curb the abuse of debt while reaping the benefits of credit. Beggar Thy Neighbor examines the major debt revolutions of the past, demonstrating that extensive leverage and debt were behind most financial market crashes from the Renaissance to the present day. Geisst argues that usury prohibitions, as part of the natural law tradition in Western and Islamic societies, continue to play a key role in banking regulation despite modern advances in finance. From the Roman Empire to the recent Dodd-Frank financial reforms, usury ceilings still occupy a central place in notions of free markets and economic justice.
Manifestations of Discontent in Germany on the Eve of the Reformation
Author: Gerald Strauss
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 280
Book Description
An unusual anthology of material in translation, quite unlike the spate of source books and compilations of snippets which continue to pour from the presses. Strauss has assembled 35 documents of widely differing nature in order to illustrate a single topic, the uneasy state of Germany in the 15th and early 16th centuries, the period leading up to, and including, the beginnings of the Lutheran Reformation. It is a complex tale of grievances against the Papacy, social unrest, economic exploitation in various forms, imperial weakness, and wounded national pride. An excellent introduction provides the necessary background; brief headnotes to each selection and useful footnotes give further clarification; the translations are highly readable." -Choice. "Strauss permits humanists, knights, craftsmen, and peasants to proclaim their dissatisfaction in their own earthly words, show the causes, and suggest remedies. His selections from the vast body of 'grievance literature', dating chiefly from about 1490 to about 1525, provide the first genuine review of his age of dissent available to the English reader, while brief introductions place the period and each document in historical context." - Library journal
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 280
Book Description
An unusual anthology of material in translation, quite unlike the spate of source books and compilations of snippets which continue to pour from the presses. Strauss has assembled 35 documents of widely differing nature in order to illustrate a single topic, the uneasy state of Germany in the 15th and early 16th centuries, the period leading up to, and including, the beginnings of the Lutheran Reformation. It is a complex tale of grievances against the Papacy, social unrest, economic exploitation in various forms, imperial weakness, and wounded national pride. An excellent introduction provides the necessary background; brief headnotes to each selection and useful footnotes give further clarification; the translations are highly readable." -Choice. "Strauss permits humanists, knights, craftsmen, and peasants to proclaim their dissatisfaction in their own earthly words, show the causes, and suggest remedies. His selections from the vast body of 'grievance literature', dating chiefly from about 1490 to about 1525, provide the first genuine review of his age of dissent available to the English reader, while brief introductions place the period and each document in historical context." - Library journal
On Commerce and Usury (1524)
Author: Martin Luther
Publisher: Anthem Press
ISBN: 1783083859
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
This volume presents Martin Luther’s contribution to the modern economic sciences, providing a detailed introduction and revised translation of his major pamphlet on economic matters, ‘On Commerce and Usury’ (‘Von Kauffshandlung vnd Wucher’, 1524). In his teachings on indulgences Luther picked up on the question of hoarding money, and was among the earliest voices in early modern Europe calling for an ‘ethical’ economics. Luther’s work prefigured many later contributions to modern economic theory, from the mercantilists and cameralists to the German Historical School.
Publisher: Anthem Press
ISBN: 1783083859
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
This volume presents Martin Luther’s contribution to the modern economic sciences, providing a detailed introduction and revised translation of his major pamphlet on economic matters, ‘On Commerce and Usury’ (‘Von Kauffshandlung vnd Wucher’, 1524). In his teachings on indulgences Luther picked up on the question of hoarding money, and was among the earliest voices in early modern Europe calling for an ‘ethical’ economics. Luther’s work prefigured many later contributions to modern economic theory, from the mercantilists and cameralists to the German Historical School.
Usury, Interest and the Reformation
Author: Eric Kerridge
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781315185743
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
"This title was first published in 2003:In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas takes what most assume to be the orthodox Christian position when he condemns the practice of usury, which he defines as the charging a price for the loan of a sum of money. Yet, whilst this definition has become widely accepted by historians, it is clear from a close reading of contemporary texts, that by the Reformation, the situation was in fact much more complicated. Indeed, by the middle of the sixteenth century, Melanchthon was confidently to assert 'that which is interest is wholly different from usuries'. This book is the first systematic study of the practice of moneylending during the Reformation. Through the detailed examination of a variety of documents, it challenges the established views on usury and interest, providing a fresh interpretation that explains how figures such as Luther could condemn usury whilst still upholding the legality of lending money at interest. Divided into two parts, the first half of the book provides a background to the subject, putting forward Professor Kerridge's arguments about usury and interest in the context of the Reformation. The second part of the book presents selections from 38 contemporary documents on the subject (in both the original language and English translation) written by key Reformation figures such as Calvin, Luther and Zwingli. As such, this book will be useful as both a research and reference work."--Provided by publisher.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781315185743
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
"This title was first published in 2003:In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas takes what most assume to be the orthodox Christian position when he condemns the practice of usury, which he defines as the charging a price for the loan of a sum of money. Yet, whilst this definition has become widely accepted by historians, it is clear from a close reading of contemporary texts, that by the Reformation, the situation was in fact much more complicated. Indeed, by the middle of the sixteenth century, Melanchthon was confidently to assert 'that which is interest is wholly different from usuries'. This book is the first systematic study of the practice of moneylending during the Reformation. Through the detailed examination of a variety of documents, it challenges the established views on usury and interest, providing a fresh interpretation that explains how figures such as Luther could condemn usury whilst still upholding the legality of lending money at interest. Divided into two parts, the first half of the book provides a background to the subject, putting forward Professor Kerridge's arguments about usury and interest in the context of the Reformation. The second part of the book presents selections from 38 contemporary documents on the subject (in both the original language and English translation) written by key Reformation figures such as Calvin, Luther and Zwingli. As such, this book will be useful as both a research and reference work."--Provided by publisher.
The Marketplace of Christianity
Author: Robert B. Ekelund, Jr.
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262262622
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 367
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.
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262262622
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 367
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.
Usury in Christendom
Author: Michael A. Hoffman
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780970378491
Category : Business
Languages : en
Pages : 416
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780970378491
Category : Business
Languages : en
Pages : 416
Book Description
Usury
Author: Calvin Elliott
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Interest
Languages : en
Pages : 310
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Interest
Languages : en
Pages : 310
Book Description
The Richest Man Who Ever Lived
Author: Greg Steinmetz
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1451688571
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
“A colorful introduction to one of the most influential businessmen in history” (The New York Times Book Review), Jacob Fugger—the Renaissance banker “who wrote the playbook for everyone who keeps score with money” (Bryan Burrough, author of Days of Rage). In the days when Columbus sailed the ocean and Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, a German banker named Jacob Fugger became the richest man in history. Fugger lived in Germany at the turn of the sixteenth century, the grandson of a peasant. By the time he died, his fortune amounted to nearly two percent of European GDP. In an era when kings had unlimited power, Fugger dared to stare down heads of state and ask them to pay back their loans—with interest. It was this coolness and self-assurance, along with his inexhaustible ambition, that made him not only the richest man ever, but a force of history as well. Before Fugger came along it was illegal under church law to charge interest on loans, but he got the Pope to change that. He also helped trigger the Reformation and likely funded Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. His creation of a news service gave him an information edge over his rivals and customers and earned Fugger a footnote in the history of journalism. And he took Austria’s Habsburg family from being second-tier sovereigns to rulers of the first empire where the sun never set. “Enjoyable…readable and fast-paced” (The Wall Street Journal), The Richest Man Who Ever Lived is more than a tale about the most influential businessman of all time. It is a story about palace intrigue, knights in battle, family tragedy and triumph, and a violent clash between the one percent and everybody else. “The tale of Fugger’s aspiration, ruthlessness, and greed is riveting” (The Economist).
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1451688571
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
“A colorful introduction to one of the most influential businessmen in history” (The New York Times Book Review), Jacob Fugger—the Renaissance banker “who wrote the playbook for everyone who keeps score with money” (Bryan Burrough, author of Days of Rage). In the days when Columbus sailed the ocean and Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, a German banker named Jacob Fugger became the richest man in history. Fugger lived in Germany at the turn of the sixteenth century, the grandson of a peasant. By the time he died, his fortune amounted to nearly two percent of European GDP. In an era when kings had unlimited power, Fugger dared to stare down heads of state and ask them to pay back their loans—with interest. It was this coolness and self-assurance, along with his inexhaustible ambition, that made him not only the richest man ever, but a force of history as well. Before Fugger came along it was illegal under church law to charge interest on loans, but he got the Pope to change that. He also helped trigger the Reformation and likely funded Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. His creation of a news service gave him an information edge over his rivals and customers and earned Fugger a footnote in the history of journalism. And he took Austria’s Habsburg family from being second-tier sovereigns to rulers of the first empire where the sun never set. “Enjoyable…readable and fast-paced” (The Wall Street Journal), The Richest Man Who Ever Lived is more than a tale about the most influential businessman of all time. It is a story about palace intrigue, knights in battle, family tragedy and triumph, and a violent clash between the one percent and everybody else. “The tale of Fugger’s aspiration, ruthlessness, and greed is riveting” (The Economist).