07 November 2011
Reflections and Resources compiled by Mission and Public
Affairs, Archbishops' Council November 2011
The recent events surrounding the Occupy protest camp in the City
of London, and its impact on the life of St Paul's Cathedral, has
led to many sharp questions about the Church of England's view of
capitalism and about how Christian ethics engages with economic
issues.
To ask whether the church is for or against capitalism is to pose
the question too starkly - there are many capitalisms and a number
of ways to analyse it theologically. We offer here some preliminary
thoughts to guide ethical and theological reflection and suggest a
number of books which can help in taking the question forward. The
writers noted here do not all agree with each other, yet each is
seeking to relate Christian thinking to complex phenomenon that is
capitalism.
The full document to be accessed here
includes reflections on:
- What is capitalism?
- Morality and law come first; Capitalism and the State
- Risks and Rewards
- Alternatives to capitalism; Economics and models of
society
- Theology and economics; The Church and Capitalism Today
- The range of Christian views on capitalism
- A Critique of Capitalism for Today
- The Bible and Wealth
Resources in the document include lists or links
on:
- Books which explore the encounter between Christian theology
and economic issues in depth.
- Recent CofE reports and comments on the Financial Crisis
including contributions by the Archbishop of Canterbury and a
General Synod debate
- Books providing an overview of theology and economics
- Theologians in favour of capitalism
- Theological Critiques of Capitalism
- Theology and money
- The Church of England and Economics
Dr Philip Giddings, Chair and Revd Dr Malcolm Brown,
Director - Mission and Public Affairs Division