Economy Of Grace

Are there any fair and viable alternatives to global capitalism? University of Chicago theologian Kathryn Tanner offers here a serious and creative proposal for evaluating economic theory and behavior through a theological lens.

The overall problem raised in this book is that the Western culture of modern rationality, power, and economics departs from a rather narrow, secular and ego-centric worldview. Therefore, it does not recognize the identity of traditional cultures and religions nor social, economic, or ecological justice in relation to the rest of the world. Western religion has, over history, often played a legitimating role for political power, and the expansion of institutional structures and has therefore lost much of its prophetic identity to be signs of peace, justice, and unity. The ecumenical and integrative model of stewardship as an economy of grace, with a deeper ecological philosophy, does, however, offer new visions for a multicultural and multireligious economy. This book is intended for leaders, students, and scholars interested in interdisciplinary studies of politics, religion, economics, and ecology. This will also be of interest to students and researchers in peace studies or conflict management, as well as to leaders who are engaged in the building of peace and justice.

This is a book about the business practices of a group of companies who are dedicated to changing the world. These companies participate in the Economy of Communion (EOC) project, which is an initiative of the international and ecumenical Focolare movement. For these companies, changing the world means “humanizing” the economy by consistently privileging relationships over profit-maximizing, and by putting profits in common and using them to address acute social needs and concerns. It also means “humanizing” companies and organizations through business practices that respect the inherent dignity of each person, and that are aimed at breaking down barriers between people in business. The book is the product of a rigorous, robust and multi-year research project involving more than a dozen U.S and Canadian based EOC companies, and should be considered a case study of the EOC rather than a study of any of the individual companies. What, indeed, do we mean by “structures of grace”? First and foremost, the title reflects our conviction that EOC companies are indeed different. And that difference is centered on a conviction of the business as a set of relationships, or more accurately, a community, and the conviction that the purpose of economic activity — the production and distribution of goods and services — is to bring people together, to create community. For us, this is the defining characteristic of the EOC.

Starting with Marx and Freud, scholars have attempted to identify the primary ethical challenge of capitalism. They have named injustice, inequality, repression, exploitative empires, and capitalism's psychic hold over all of us, among other ills. Nimi Wariboko instead argues that the core ethical problem of capitalism lies in the split nature of the modern economy, an economy divided against itself. Production is set against finance, consumption against saving, and the future against the present. As the rich enjoy their lifestyle, their fellow citizens live in servitude. The economy mimics the structure of our human subjectivity as Saint Paul theorizes in Romans 7: the law constitutes the subject as split, traversed by negativity. The economy is split, shot through with a fundamental antagonism. This fundamental negativity at the core of the economy disturbs its stability and identity, generating its destructive drive. The Split Economy develops a robust theoretical framework at the intersection of continental philosophy, psychoanalytic theory, theology, and political economy to reveal a fundamental dynamic at the heart of capitalism.

Discover life changing economy of the grace and mercy of God that is multiplied to you on a daily basis.

The overall problem raised in this book is that the Western culture of modern rationality, power, and economics departs from a rather narrow, secular and ego-centric worldview. Therefore, it does not recognize the identity of traditional cultures and religions nor social, economic, or ecological justice in relation to the rest of the world. Western religion has, over history, often played a legitimating role for political power, and the expansion of institutional structures and has therefore lost much of its prophetic identity to be signs of peace, justice, and unity. The ecumenical and integrative model of stewardship as an "economy of grace," with a deeper ecological philosophy, does, however, offer new visions for a multicultural and multireligious economy. This book is intended for leaders, students, and scholars interested in interdisciplinary studies of politics, religion, economics, and ecology. This will also be of interest to students and researchers in peace studies or conflict management, as well as to leaders who are engaged in the building of peace and justice.

Hermann Witsius (1636 – 1708) was a Dutch theologian whose massive, pioneering work on the covenants in Scripture remains a significant contribution to Reformed theology. This classic work is organized as follows: Preface The Life of the Author Book I Chapter I. Of the Divine Covenants in General Chapter II. Of the Contracting Parties in the Covenant of Works Chapter III. Of the Law or Condition of the Covenant of Works Chapter IV. Of the Promises of the Covenant of Works Chapter V. Of the Penal Sanction Chapter VI. Of the Sacraments of the Covenant of Works Chapter VII. Of the First Sabbath Chapter VIII. Of the Violation of the Covenant of Works on the Part of Man Chapter IX. Of the Abrogation of the Covenant of Works on the Part of God Book II Chapter I. Introduction to the Covenant of Grace Chapter II. Of the Covenant Between God the Father and the Son Chapter III. The Nature of the Covenant Between the Father and the Son More Fully Explained Chapter IV. Of the Person of the Surety Chapter V. Of the Suretiship and Satisfaction of Christ Chapter VI. What Sufferings of Christ Are Satisfactory Chapter VII. Of the Efficacy of Christ’s Satisfaction Chapter VIII. Of the Necessity of Christ’s Satisfaction Chapter IX. Of the Persons for Whom Christ Engaged and Satisfied Chapter X. After What Manner Christ Used the Sacraments Book III Chapter I. Of the Covenant of God With the Elect Chapter II. Of the Oneness of the Covenant of Grace, as to Its Substance Chapter III. Of the Different Economies or Dispensations of the Covenant of Grace Chapter IV. Of Election Chapter V. Of Effectual Calling Chapter VI. Of Regeneration Chapter VII. Of Faith Chapter VIII. Of Justification Chapter IX. Of Spiritual Peace Chapter X. Of Adoption Book III Chapter XI. Of the Spirit of Adoption Chapter XII. Of Sanctification Chapter XIII. Of Conservation Chapter XIV. Of Glorification Book IV Chapter I. Of the Doctrine of Salvation in the First Age of the World Chapter II. Of the Doctrine of Grace Under Noah Chapter III. Of the Doctrine of Grace From Abraham to Moses Chapter IV. Of the Decalogue Chapter V. Of the Doctrine of the Prophets Chapter VI. Of the Types Chapter VII. Of the Sacraments of Grace Down to Abraham Chapter VIII. Of Circumcision Chapter IX. Of the Passover Chapter X. Of the Extraordinary Sacraments in the Wilderness Chapter XI. Of the Blessings of the Old Testament Chapter XII. Of the Imperfections Falsely Ascribed to the Old Testament Chapter XIII. Of the Real Defects of the Old Testament Chapter XIV. Of the Abrogation of the Old Testament Chapter XV. Of the Benefits of the New Testament Chapter XVI. Of Baptism Chapter XVII. Of the Lord’s Supper