Library

Here’s a list of public domain books that explore the intersection of theology and economy:

1. ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’ by Max Weber (1905)

This classic work explores the influence of Protestant ethics, particularly Calvinism, on the development of capitalism.

2. ‘Summa Theologica’ by Thomas Aquinas (13th century)

Aquinas’ monumental work addresses various theological topics, including a discussion on the morality of economic practices such as lending, trade, and property.

3. ‘On the Condition of the Working Classes’ (Rerum Novarum) by Pope Leo XIII (1891)

An encyclical that addresses the rights and duties of both capital and labor, advocating for social justice through Christian principles.

4. ‘Wealth of Nations’ by Adam Smith (1776)

While not a theological work, Smith’s exploration of economics was influenced by moral philosophy and natural law, ideas that intersect with theological ethics.

5. ‘The City of God’ by Augustine of Hippo (426 AD)

This book reflects on the relationship between the earthly and divine cities, touching on issues of justice, economics, and power from a Christian theological perspective.

6. ‘The Church and the World’ by Charles Kingsley (1871)

Kingsley, a Christian socialist, wrote on issues of social reform, labor rights, and economic justice, viewing them through a theological lens.

7. ‘The Christian Doctrine of Property’ by Charles Gore (1894)

Gore explores the theological underpinnings of property rights and their economic implications in Christian ethics.

8. ‘The Gospel of Wealth’ by Andrew Carnegie (1889)

Though more philosophical than strictly theological, this essay explores how the wealthy should distribute their riches in a way aligned with moral and Christian principles.

These books should be available through public domain libraries like Project Gutenberg, the Internet Archive, or Google Books.

Here is a list of modern books that deal with the intersection of theology and economy:

1. ‘God and the Market: Economic Justice and Christian Faith’ by Kathryn Tanner (2005)

Tanner offers a critical theological perspective on contemporary economic issues, addressing how Christian faith can challenge the capitalist market system.

2. ‘The Economy of God’ by Witness Lee (1968)

This work discusses how God’s economy unfolds through His plan of salvation, integrating theological concepts with practical implications for Christian living.

3. ‘Theology and the Just Economy’ edited by Séverine Deneulin and Michael F. P. West (2019)

A collection of essays exploring the theological foundations of economic justice, drawing on different Christian traditions and approaches to economic inequality.

4. ‘Capital and the Kingdom: Theological Ethics and Economic Order’ by Timothy Gorringe (1994)

Gorringe discusses the relationship between theology and political economy, focusing on how Christian ethics can influence economic policy and systems.

5. ‘For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future’ by Herman E. Daly and John B. Cobb Jr. (1989)

This book offers an economic vision rooted in ecological and community well-being, informed by theological insights on stewardship and the common good.

6. ‘Economy and Virtue: Essays on the Moral and Theological Foundations of Economics’ by Samuel Gregg and James Stoner Jr. (2015)

This book explores how theological virtues like justice and prudence can shape economic practices and policies, drawing from the Catholic intellectual tradition.

7. ‘God, Justice, and Society: Aspects of Law and Legality in the Bible’ by Jonathan Burnside (2011)

This book delves into the economic aspects of biblical law, exploring how divine justice can inform modern understandings of legal and economic structures.

8. ‘Theology and Economics: A Christian Vision of the Common Good’ edited by Jeremy Kidwell and Sean Doherty (2015)

A collaborative work addressing economic inequality and social justice from a theological perspective, offering insights from various Christian denominations.

9. ‘Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity’ by Ronald J. Sider (1977, revised editions continue)

Sider critiques the disparity between wealth and poverty and calls Christians to embrace economic justice and generosity.

10. ‘A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, and Salvation’ by Gustavo Gutiérrez (1971)

A foundational text of liberation theology, this book connects Christian theology with the struggles of the poor and oppressed, focusing on social and economic justice.

These books offer a variety of theological perspectives on modern economic challenges, engaging with issues like capitalism, inequality, and social justice. Many are available through academic publishers or popular booksellers.

Reading List

David Hollenbach, The Common Good and Christian Ethics, New Studies in Christian Ethics, Cambridge University Press, 2002

Jacques Grand’maison, Société laïque et christianisme, Novalis, 2011

Joseph A. Schumpeter, Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy, Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2008

Lynne Milgram, Katherine Browne, Economics and Morality: Anthropological Approaches Society for Economic Anthropology Monographs, AltaMira Press, 2009

Paul Oslington, Adam Smith as Theologian, Routledge Studies in Religion, 2011

Sascha O. Becker, Jared Rubin, Ludger Woessmann, Religion in Economic History: A Survey, Munich Society for the Promotion of Economic Research - CESifo, GmbH, 2020

Sriya Iyer, The New Economics Of Religion, Cambridge-INET Working Paper, 2015

Stanley Hauerwas, Samuel Wells, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics, Blackwell Publishing, 2006

Gilbert Meilaender, William Werpehowski, ‎The Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics, Oxford University Press, 2007

Gill, Robin, The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics, Cambridge University Press 2012

Benjamin M. Friedman, Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, BENJAMIN M. FRIEDMAN, Knopf, 2021

Benjamin M. Friedman, The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth, Knopf, 2005.