Public Theology and the economy in a globalizing world

Abstract

This paper was read at the Theological Day of the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University on 25 January 2010. Speaking on “Public Theology and the economy in a globalizing world” in 30 minutes is a real challenge. The themes of Public Theology, of basic assumptions of economics and of what we mean by the word “globalization” would be each one a lecture of its own. And yet the connection of the three is exactly what needs to be discussed. The challenge of a globalizing world which has destructive effects on the natural environments and which still tolerates the poverty caused death of thousands of human beings every day is clearly on the table. I will leave describing these challenges of globalizations more closely to others today and focus on the theological grounding. After a reflection on the relationship of theology and economics in the reformation traditions, I will describe the place of a public theological model of economic ethics in the context of several other models. I will explain what it entails by distinguishing four dimensions of ethical reflection and conclude with exploring the task of the church in a globalizing world.