Tag: shalom
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Prosperity: Shalom
What do we mean by the word shalom? We typically equate shalom with the English word "peace." Unfortunately, we often insufficiently equate peace to the absence of war or anxiety. Shalom means so much more. Here are just a few ways shalom is used in the Old Testament. The words representing shalom are in bold.…
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Cycle of Prosperity: Introduction
Christians have a paradoxical mission. We are to be working for the greatest shalom possible in the world with the full realization that perfect shalom will not be achieved until the consummation of the new creation. We are to tell of Jesus and what God is doing in the world. Peter exhorted, in 1 Peter…
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Living Simply in Abundance (13)
The Bible's recurring economic theme is that God owns all that exists. We were created to be stewards (corporately and individually) of God's resources, and God intends for stewards to live in community-wide abundance. Human rebellion entered the equation, and that intention has been terribly marred. Part of the Good News of the coming shalom…
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Living Simply in Abundance (7)
Earlier in this series, I wrote that wealth and prosperity were promised outcomes for faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant. But within that covenant, we find this warning: Deuteronomy 8:17-20 17 Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." 18 But remember the LORD your…
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Shalom and the Possibilities of Being “Mission-Shaped”
Prodigal Kiwi: Shalom and the Possibilities of Being “Mission-Shaped” (Emphasis in the original.) I’ve been long inclined to place shalom near the very ‘heart’ of God’s mission, and thus to locate it at the centre of what it means for us to join in on God’s mission – we are bearers of shalom. How do…
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Theology and Economics: Two Applications
Over the past six months, I have been blogging this series on Theology and Economics. I have made the case that Scripture, inspired by God, places us within a narrative. Scripture gives us God's unfolding story up to the days of the First Century Church. It also tells us something about the end of the…
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Theology and Economics: Capitalism is not a Synonym for Materialistic Individualism
Pope John Paul II wrote the following in Centesimus Annus: Can it perhaps be said that after the failure of communism capitalism is the victorious social system and the capitalism is the victorious social system and that capitalism should be the goal of the countries now making efforts to rebuild their economy and society? Is…
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Theology and Economics: Self Interest
One of the most frequently propagated economic myths is that free market capitalism is founded on selfishness or greed. I can't count the number of commentators and teachers saying Adam Smith based his economic thinking on selfishness. As we all know, selfishness is anathema to the Christian life. Therefore, we should condemn, or at least…