Faith and Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money

by Justo L. González

Ideas pertaining to economics and social order were central concerns of the early Christian church, yet modern theologians and scholars have paid little or no attention to these issues as important theological questions. This brilliant and thorough study is a history of the views that Christians held of the origin, significance and use of wealth. Justo Gonzalez examines early Christian ideas, beliefs and teachings about the use of money, property, communal sharing and the rights and obligations of rich and poor. Setting the Christian community in the political, social and economic contexts of the times, Gonzalez highlights the ideas of such prominent writers as Cyprian, Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysostom, and the Desert Fathers concerning wealth -- noting what traditional scholarship has overlooked. As the author points out, this book is not a social or economic history of Christianity during the first four centuries; it is a history of the views that Christians held on economic matters. This profound, enlightening and highly readable work of excellent scholarship is a major contribution to the study of the history of Christian thought. It clearly demonstrates that the issues of economics and social justice are central theological concerns, deeply rooted in Christian doctrine and Christian tradition.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Church History, History, Christianity, Economics, Christian History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Justo L. González, author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought and other major works, attended United Seminary in Cuba, received his MA at Yale, and was the youngest person to be awarded a PhD in historical theology at Yale. He is one of the few first generation Latino theologians to come from a Protestant background. He helped to found the Association for Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Theological Initiative. Dr González is now on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Dylan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gonzalez is impressively thorough in his pursuit of understanding the early church's view of the intersection of faith and wealth. In particular, his attention to the context surrounding each Church Father's writing is noteworthy.

A clear theme emerges from unified voices: wealth is to be shared. "To accumulate wealth is to pervert it, not only because real wealth must always be moving and active, but also because the purpose of wealth is to meet human need." (p.228)

Practically, "one should keep for oneself only what is necessary and give the superfluous to the needy." (p. 227)

[Stephen Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study.

[Anderson Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente obra que apresenta o que os cristãos pensavam sobre riqueza nos quatro primeiros séculos da era cristã.

O autor inicia remontando o que os antigos pensavam sobre riqueza: gregos e romanos. Em seguida, discute o período anterior a Constantino, apresentando o pensamento da igreja primitiva e dos séculos II e III. Em geral, o pensamento desse período sugere que os cristãos devem ser generosos na doação e cuidadosos na administração. Idealizava-se a atitude de propriedade em comum de Atos 2, sendo que alguns sugeriam que a doação era ato de penitência e compensação do pecado.

Com a conversão de Constantino, o cristianismo passa a se a associar e dispor de riqueza e poder. Em contraponto, surgem movimentos de resistência ao império e afastamento monástico. Os pais capadócios defendem o cuidado com os necessitados. Ambrósio, Jerônimo, Crisóstomo e Agostinho defendem a doação e generosidade, com diferentes ênfases e percepções sobre a natureza da propriedade privada.

Em geral, os cristãos não afastavam a fé das preocupações com o uso do dinheir, condenavam duramente usura e avareza e sugeriam o cuidado com os pobres como forma de honrar a Deus.

[Marvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was laborious and painful to read. Not because of the writing, which I would consider merely sufficient to not bore me to death, but because the material is so disgusting and against my instincts: appeals to nature for ethics, common humanity for solidarity, equality for all as biblical etc. ad nauseum. Otherwise a decent history book, though with some obvious bias and essential topics left out (slavery).

[Gary Chorpenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extensively research, well-organized, and deeply insightful study. Gonzalez has a remarkable grasp of the history and the key issues involved. He focuses on the issues from a thoroughly theological perspective while no losing sight of the socio-cultural context of the period and the various figures studied. It is a landmark work.

[Callie Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

BT 635

[Sofia Correa · Rating 3 out of 5]

valeu pela parte de agostinho, e traz reflexões interessantes mas é mais um livro de historia do que de ensino.

[Matheus Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro poderia ter sido chamado 'História do pensamento econômico cristão nos séculos I-V'. É mais histórico do que teológico; mais expositivo do que propositivo. 1/3 do livro é sobre o contexto da filosofia clássica e economia romana; 1/3 sobre o pensamento cristão antes de Constantino e 1/3 sobre autores depois dele.

O autor se aprofunda no pensamento antigo com muitas referências e citações. A leitura é um pouco lenta, e exige um olhar cuidadoso. Contudo, a linha narrativa é objetiva e trata consistentemente dos mesmos três temas: koinonia, o acúmulo de riquezas o cuidado dos pobres ao longo do início do cristianismo.

O livro é extremamente profundo e bem embasado, mas pouco prático. Não leia para querer 'lições de vida' sobre lidar com riqueza e pobreza, mas sim para aprender mais sobre como cristãos primitivos pensavam sobre isso. Para amantes de história, é um livro sensacional. É uma obra preciosa em língua portuguesa. Para pessoas práticas e com pouco tempo livre, é menos urgente.

@economiadoreino | https://www.instagram.com/p/CSzJWzPsnwc/

[Gerald Greene]

Well researched and full discussion of topic.