Economics, Justice and Theology (CT3082W)

Content

This unit aims to equip students with the resources to understand a variety of economic models and to formulate a theological critique of these. The unit will embody a dialogue between the approaches of an economist and a theologian. The relationship between society and the economy will be considered and theological resources such as economic language in the Scriptures, economic models in Scripture and early Christianity, and contemporary Christian social teaching will be explored. In particular, theological critique will be directed to current neo-liberal economic models, bearing in mind issues of distributive justice and economic policy.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

30 points in CT

Indicative Bibliography

• Atherton, John, Transfiguring Capitalism: An Enquiry into Religion and Global Change. London: SCM Press, 2008.
• Bell, Daniel, The Economy of Desire: Christianity and Capitalism in a Post-Modern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012. (recommended for purchase)
• Davis, Ellen, Scripture, Culture and Agriculture: An Agrian Reading of the Bible. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
• Horsley, Richard A., Covenant Economics: A Biblical Vision of Justice for All. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.
• Pabst, Adrian (ed.), The Crisis of Global Capitalism: Pope Benedict XVI's Social Encyclical and the Future of Political Economy. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011.
• Schumacher, E. F., Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. Point Roberts, WA: Hartley & Marks, 1999.
• Stackhouse, Max L., (ed.), God and Globalization: Volume 4: Globalization and Grace. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2007.
• Stiglitz, Joseph, Making Globalization Work: The Next Steps to Global Justice. Camberwell: Penguin, 2006.
• Tanner, Kathryn. Economy of Grace. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2005.
• Tawney, R. H., Religion and the Rise of Capitalism. London: Verso, 1926 (2015). (recommended for purchase)

Assessment