The Body of Christ in a Market Economy: An Anglican Inquiry into Economic Thinking

by Gawain de Leeuw, Chuck Robertson (Editor)

Overview

Holy Scripture and economists have distinct ways of exploring market networks. The Body of Christ in a Market Economy explains how desire connects scripture, economics, theological anthropology, and soteriology. By explaining the mechanics of desire and Jesus’ saving grace, it becomes possible for churches and congregations to better align their networks for the common good within market economies. Rivalry is an expense. Follow Jesus or prepare to spend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433128486
Publisher:	Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers
Publication date:	09/17/2019
Series:	Studies in Episcopal and Anglican Theology , #10
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 8.86(h) x (d)

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Gawain de Leeuw, OA, is the rector of St. Bartholomew’s Church in White Plains, New York. He is a life professed member of the Order of the Ascension, a dispersed Benedictine community. He serves on the Task Force on the Theology of Money for the Episcopal Church.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments – Introduction – Reading Scripture – Engaging Economics – Theological Responses – Learning to Desire – How Jesus Saves – The Church and Salvation in a Commercial World – Bibliography – Index.

Editorial Reviews

There’s always call for a fresh book explaining how it’s possible people can remain faithful followers of Jesus within the capitalist economic system. Gawain de Leeuw’s work steps up to the challenge with wisdom, brio and cutting-edge anthropology. Filled with insights, his study wrestles over and over with the aporias separating the reckless giving of the gospel from a market system based in debt, exchange and commodification, or between the relationship of love modeled by Jesus and the fetterless desire and rivalry modeled by money. The fact that capitalism has proven the best way of increasing productivity while satisfying endless wants does nothing to lessen the othering and exploitation at its heart. Gawain offers us the church’s dream of the sabbath as antidote, a time and place where competition and inexhaustible demand are replaced by rest, community, and blessing. But how can the church enable this practically? He suggests the successful management of rivalry as the core church practice, through sacraments, prayer, good governance, and cooperative networks. But perhaps the most radical impact of de Leeuw’s work is to continue to knead the leaven of the gospel into our economic worldview until the times really do catch up with Jesus. As he vividly puts it, ‘By ingesting Jesus, (we are given) the power to reconsider the game, the rat race, the system of materialism that creates a status war with others.’” Anthony Bartlett

“In one of the more obscure sayings attributed to Jesus in the gospels, ‘the parable of the dishonest manager,’ Jesus warns his disciples that ‘the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the sons of light’ (Luke 16:8). One possible reading of this parable is that it criticizes the followers of Christ for their lack of sophistication in matters of money, stewardship, and economics, or perhaps, for failing to love God even as much as the wicked love riches. “If it is read carefully, perhaps this new book by the Rev. Gawain de Leeuw could help remedy this weakness. “Ambitious and expansive, de Leeuw takes aim at faith that remains uninformed by economic theory. But he offers much more than a dry discussion of ‘economics.’ This is a call for the Body of Christ to rethink money, markets, community and work from the ground up. And it is a practical guide to changing the way we engage with the world.” Matthew Baldwin, Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Mars Hill College

From the Publisher