In the twenty-first century, the gap between the haves and have-nots is lengthening once again, and to American eyes, poverty is no longer limited to third-world countries. Yet often modern Christian thought on property is premised on the exclusion of the beggar from economic morality. Kelly Johnson asks the important question Why does Christian ethics so rarely tackle the question of whether to give to beggars? Examining both classical economics and Christian stewardship ethics as reaction to medieval mendicant debates, Johnson reveals both modern anxiety about dependence and humility and the importance of Christian attempts to re-imagine property relations in ways that integrate those qualities. Studying the rhetoric and thought of Christian thinkers, beggar saints, economists and others, Johnson places greatest emphasis on the life and work of Peter Maurin. Challenging and thought-provoking, The Fear of Beggars will expand what counts as a topic for Christian economic ethics into a richer, more complicated discussion.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
just begging to be good,
By Trevor Yoder (IN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Fear of Beggars: Stewardship and Poverty in Christian Ethics (Ekklesia Project) (Paperback)
I know of very few books that attempt to frame not only the charitable obligation of the Christian to the beggar, but the very status of all Christians as beggars before God. Johnson performs an excellent service to both the church and the academy by taking seriously Jesus' approach (especially in light of the prophets) to the poor, beggars, and to money in general. She argues that begging itself has a long sacramental history within Christianity that also provides the non-beggar the opportunity to participate in God's forthcoming heavenly banquet. By refusing to be fearful of beggars, our eyes are opened to the kind of kingdom Jesus inaugurated. This book will challenge most, if not all, of "Christian" America's presumptions about money and those who are completely without it. It is a must-read.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great book, but be forewarned,
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This review is from: The Fear of Beggars: Stewardship and Poverty in Christian Ethics (Ekklesia Project) (Paperback)
This is a great book, but be forewarned that its intended audience includes the academy. Much of this book delves into pertinent elements of church history, the development of capitalism in the west, and even some economic theory. If you are able to handle a dose of these other disciplines, you should enjoy the book; if you cannot, then this book may not be for you. The last chapter is definitely the best in the book, but the preceding chapters are relevant and necessary to fully appreciate the final chapter.The author claims at the beginning that she does not seek to answer all the questions raised by begging. However, this book will challenge you -- if you're a Christian -- to ponder how God is calling you to live a faithful life that is entirely reliant upon him.
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medieval schools, true stewardship, voluntary begging, voluntary beggars, dependent poverty, human wretchedness, religious poverty Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, The Insolence of Human Wretchedness, Easy Essays, Peter Maurin, Reaping What Was Sown, The Rehabilitation of Humility, Catholic Worker, Piers Plowman, Douglas John Hall, United States, Grand Rapids, The Sermons of Edwin Sandys, Has the Church, Cambridge University Press, Vagabond de Dieu, Adam Smith, New Testament, John Paul, Jesus Christ, Francis of Assisi, Dorothy Day, Philosophy of Benevolence, John Milbank, Oxford University Press, Cornell University Press Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
medieval schools, true stewardship, voluntary begging, voluntary beggars, dependent poverty, human wretchedness, religious poverty Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, The Insolence of Human Wretchedness, Easy Essays, Peter Maurin, Reaping What Was Sown, The Rehabilitation of Humility, Catholic Worker, Piers Plowman, Douglas John Hall, United States, Grand Rapids, The Sermons of Edwin Sandys, Has the Church, Cambridge University Press, Vagabond de Dieu, Adam Smith, New Testament, John Paul, Jesus Christ, Francis of Assisi, Dorothy Day, Philosophy of Benevolence, John Milbank, Oxford University Press, Cornell University Press Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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