While a number of secular philosophers have written on global poverty, theologians have either steered clear entirely or simply mimicked the political analysis currently on offer. Christian authors have argued either for a free market solution to global poverty or for a radical reform of global capitalism as the best approach, but the theological underpinnings of such conclusions are noticeable by their absence.
Justin Thacker offers a new way forward. He suggests deeply theological answers to questions around the effect of capitalism on global poverty and whether aid is really a sustainable long term solution for the world's poor. This book will challenge theologians, church leaders and congregations to consider much more seriously the huge implications of faith and theology on our attitude to those who live in extreme poverty.
Part 1: Creation
1. The image of God and the dignity of humanity
2. The problem of paternalism
3. The nature of poverty
Part 2: Fall
4. The nature, depth and breadth of sin
5. Sin, taxes and debt - who owes whom?
6. Structural sin - are we really guilty?
Part 3: Israel
7. Israel's mission
8. Exodus
9. Jubilee
10. Laws
11. Prophets
Part 4: Redemption
12. The gospel and salvation
13. Secular theories of development
14. Theologies of development
Part 5: Consummation
15. New heavens and new earth
16. The poor always with you
17. The problem of aid utopianism
18. So why should we bother?
19. Conclusion: the question of equality
Epilogue - What does this mean in practice?
