Theologians & Economists: The Mainline Theological View of Economics

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George Bernard Shaw said, "If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion." It is true that economists are hardly a monolithic bunch. Yet, it would be untrue to say that there are no core economic principles upon which economists agree … things like the relationship of supply and demand, price (microeconomic) theory of value, or the centrality of markets. The disagreement usually comes at the point of how well things like the market function and what interventions should be made. But today, I don't want to explore what economists think about economics. I want to see if I can capture what Mainline theologians and pastors typically think economics is about. I think it would go something like this …

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God is the creator and Lord over all that is. God created humanity to be caretakers of creation. In a real sense, the Earth is God's household, and we are the household managers. Furthermore, God has created an abundance that we are all to share in shalom-filled relationships as we seek the community's common good.

Economics is dominated by anti-Christian capitalist values born out of Modernism's quest for self-autonomy. Instead of abundance, economists postulate scarcity and then glorify selfishness and greed in competition over scarcity. They postulate an "invisible hand" powered by selfishness as a replacement for the providence of God and Christian ethical behavior. Capitalism is dependent on endless consumerism, which is destroying the planet. (Of course, conservative Christians see no problem with this since the earth will eventually be destroyed.) It depersonalizes people, turning them into commodities for exploitation by economic players. It violates biblical values of equality, making the rich richer and the poor poorer, all the time justifying paying people less than a living wage.

Therefore, while capitalism may have accomplished some great things, it can hardly be considered just and is worthy of our commendation. Economists who so ardently defend capitalist market economies have made an idol of their ideology … let's call it theocapitalism. Christian mission requires we put God and God's Kingdom first, redirecting markets toward the common good … that we rediscover our connectedness to others and function as the human family God has called us to be.

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Well, how was that? I'm not suggesting that Mainline theological academies are monolithic, but I think I've captured the basic gist of what you might expect.

Next, I will turn to a few pivotal points that I believe are deeply and pervasively misunderstood by theologians about economics. You still may not agree with the economist's perspective, but we must grasp what they say if there is to be honest dialog.

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