Description
Book Synopsis‘The earth is the Lord’s’ (Ps.24:1). God states that He is the rightful owner of the earth and everything in it. God wants people to enjoy material things – but God must be the centre of our lives. Christ’s radical call to his followers includes the call to let him drive our economic and business life. This means letting God’s justice rule all our economic relationships: treating people rightly; a constant seeking of justice for, especially, the poor and needy; working so that all participate in God’s blessings, including material blessings. In Part 1, Andrew Hartropp looks at how Christ’s followers are to do justice in our economic relationships: as individuals, as households, in the workplace and as church communities. Then, moving outward (in concentric circles), Part 2 shows how Jesus’s disciples can do justice in and through secular institutions, including companies and firms, banks and other financial institutions, then government institutions, and then in the international/global context. The epilogue is on the glorious vision of God’s everlasting kingdom, which both drives us and also keeps our efforts now in proper perspective.
Trade ReviewAn accessible and thought-provoking introduction to an important and complex subject. This helpful book will encourage you to explore Scripture, search your heart and change the way you engage with the world around you. * Helen Thorne, Director of Training and Mentoring, London City Mission *
Andy Hartropp is well-placed to write on economic justice with doctorates in both economics and theology. He does so with care, attention and insight. Andy is particularly strong in setting out a biblical framework of justice rooted in God’s character, built into his created order and expounded for us in his written word. Much of the ethical and other dilemmas in business derive from the interaction of these ideas. Andy is balanced, avoids the boxing of biblical perspectives into the inadequate categories of ‘left’ and ‘right’ and brings some welcome corrective to some of the over-emphasis in evangelical thought on the matters of jubilee. He relates this to the world in which we live, the challenge of consumerism, high-interest lending, the workplace and the role of the company. Economic justice is a complex topic which Andy treats well and makes accessible. * Richard Turnbull, Director, Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics, Oxford *
