Charity: The Place of the Poor in the Biblical Tradition

A leading biblical scholar places charity back at the heart of the Judeo-Christian tradition, arguing for its biblical roots

It has long been acknowledged that Jews and Christians distinguished themselves through charity to the poor. Though ancient Greeks and Romans were also generous, they funded theaters and baths rather than poorhouses and orphanages. How might we explain this difference?

In this significant reappraisal of charity in the biblical tradition, Gary Anderson argues that the ...