This Handbook introduces and systematically explores the thesis that the economy, economic practices and economic thought are of a profoundly theological nature. Containing more than 40 chapters, this Handbook provides a state-of-the-art reference work that offers students, researchers and policymakers an introduction to current scholarship, significant debates and emerging research themes in the study of the theological significance of economic concepts and the religious underpinnings of economic practices in a world that is increasingly dominated by financiers, managers, forecasters, market-makers and entrepreneurs.
This Handbook brings together scholars from different parts of the world, representing various disciplines and intellectual traditions. It covers the development of economic thought and practices from antiquity to neoliberalism, and it provides insight into the economic–theological teachings of major religious movements. The list of contributors combines well-established scholars and younger academic talents.
The chapters in this Handbook cover a wide array of conceptual, historical, theoretical and methodological issues and perspectives, such as the economic meaning of theological concepts (e.g. providence and faith); the theological underpinnings of economic concepts (e.g. credit and property); the religious significance of socio-economic practices in various organizational fields (e.g. accounting and work); and finally the genealogy of the theological–economic interface in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and in the discipline of economics itself (e.g. Marx, Keynes and Hayek).
The Routledge Handbook of Economic Theology is organized in four parts:
• Theological concepts and their economic meaning
• Economic concepts and their theological anchoring
• Society, management and organization
• Genealogy of economic theology
Contents
Notes on Contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction Stefan Schwarzkopf
Part I
Theological Concepts and their Economic Meaning
2. Providence Michael T. Dempsey
3. Eschatology and Eschaton Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto
4. Confession Mads Peter Karlsen and Kaspar Villadsen
5. Purgatory Tom Boland and Ray Griffin
6. Faith and Trust Wolfgang Palaver
7. Justification and Salvation Daniel M. Bell, Jr.
8. Guilt Camilla Sløk
Part II
Economic Concepts and their Theological Anchoring
9. Profit Christoph Deutschmann
10. Money Paul Crosthwaite, Peter Knight, and Nicky Marsh
11. Debt and Credit Philip Goodchild
12. Free Choice and Consumer Sovereignty Stefan Schwarzkopf
13. Property and Owning Christina McRorie
14. Prosperity and Wealth Simon Coleman and Martin Lindhardt
15. Poverty Brian Hamilton
16. Corporation Perry Dane
17. Government Mitchell Dean
18. Markets and Marketization Stefan Schwarzkopf
Part III
Society, Management and Organization
19. Time Elden Wiebe and Douglas Harink
20. Calling, Profession and Work Brenda Berkelaar and Patrice M. Buzzanell
21. Organization and Management Bruno Dyck
22. The Entrepreneur Ross B. Emmett
23. Media and Mediation of Culture Jeffrey H. Mahan and David J. Worley
24. Branding and Marketing Russ Belk
25. Hedonism and Asceticism Colin Campbell
26. Leadership Peter Simpson
27. Intellectual Property and Creativity Gabriel J. Michael
28. Accounting and Accountability Alistair Mutch
Part IV
Genealogy of Economic Theology
29. The Economic Theology of Judaism Joseph I. Lifshitz
30. Oikonomia Dotan Leshem
31. The Economic Theology of Late Antiquity Devin Singh
32. The Economic Theology of the High Middle Ages Raymond Benton
33. Martin Luther as Economist Philipp Robinson Rössner
34. The Southern Spirit of Capitalism Luigino Bruni
35. Invisible Hand Lisa Hill
36. Adam Smith’s Economics of the Church Paul Oslington
37. The Economic Theology of Quakerism Martin Brigham and Donncha Kavanagh
38. Neoclassical Economics as Theology Robert H. Nelson
39. Marxist Economics and Theology Roland Boer
40. John Maynard Keynes as Theologian David Andrews
41. The Crypto-Theology of Friedrich Hayek Tim Christiaens
Part V
Exit
42. Intellectual Brokerage in Economic Theology: Methodological and Theoretical Reflections from Islamic Banking and Finance Aaron Z. Pitluck
Index
Biography
Stefan Schwarzkopf is Associate Professor at the Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. His research focuses on the historical and economic sociology of consumer markets, and he has written widely about the history of markets, consumption, and about the market research industry. Some of his latest work deals with the ascetic-sectarian nature of the new data and electronic surveillance industries. His work has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including Theory, Culture & Society, Organization Studies and the Journal of Cultural Economy.
'Let me say that this handbook in its chapters exhibits depth, rigor, and clarity of thought.I predict it will be one of the most influential textbooks on economic theology in time to come. Its combined wisdom will make it an essential point of reference in the exploration of the intersection of economics and theology.'
- Nimi Wariboko, Boston University, Religious Studies Review
