On Being Rich and Poor
Christianity in a Time of Economic Globalization
Published on 21. April 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-1-4426-2626-3 (ISBN)
Description
One of the most original thinkers of the twentieth century, Jacques Ellul (1912-1994) was a French law professor, sociologist, lay theologian, and self-described "Christian anarchist." Collecting Ellul's lectures on the Bible, On Being Rich and Poor contains his prescient meditations on some of the most important theological questions of the modern age. In this volume, a follow-up to the Ellul lectures collected in On Freedom, Love, and Power, Ellul asks how it is that Christianity can justify abandoning the poorest, weakest, and most vulnerable members of society, depriving the next generation of a liveable future, and participating in an unprecedented wave of environmental destruction.
In these talks, Ellul observes that some of the harshest language in the Jewish and Christian Bibles is reserved for those who are rich and powerful, and thus able to bend others to their will. Through his analysis of the prophetic vision of Amos and the epistle of James, Ellul exposes the gap between the principles of Christian life and the practices of the modern world. Critiquing a world that values domination over collaboration, he offers an alternative path.
Transcribed from the original recordings and translated by Willem H. Vanderburg, a student and long-time colleague of Ellul's, On Being Rich and Poor is an unprecedented look at how one of the twentieth century's foremost thinkers grappled with some of today's most challenging issues.
In these talks, Ellul observes that some of the harshest language in the Jewish and Christian Bibles is reserved for those who are rich and powerful, and thus able to bend others to their will. Through his analysis of the prophetic vision of Amos and the epistle of James, Ellul exposes the gap between the principles of Christian life and the practices of the modern world. Critiquing a world that values domination over collaboration, he offers an alternative path.
Transcribed from the original recordings and translated by Willem H. Vanderburg, a student and long-time colleague of Ellul's, On Being Rich and Poor is an unprecedented look at how one of the twentieth century's foremost thinkers grappled with some of today's most challenging issues.
Reviews / Votes
'This is the second volume of a fascinating, fruitful project undertaken by Willem Vanderburg... It is certainly impressive, and among the many theological commentaries written by Ellul, one of the most winsome and accessible.'- Brian Brock (European Journal of Theology, vol 26:02:2017)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
435 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4426-2626-3 (9781442626263)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Willem H. Vanderburg has taught preventive engineering, sociology, and environmental studies at the Centre for Technology and Social Development at the University of Toronto.
Content
Translator's Introduction
Part 1: Amos
Chapter 1: Introduction to Amos
Chapter 2: The Prophecies Against the Six Surrounding Nations
Chapter 3: The Prophecies Against Judah and Israel
The Prophecy Against Judah
The Prophecy Against Israel
Israel's Punishment
Chapter 4: Intertwining Themes...
Overview
The Role of Prophecy
The Crimes
The Punishments
Chapter 5: God's Pedagogy and the Evolving Revelation
Overview
The Five Scourges
God's Pedagogy
God Awaits His People
Chapter 6: Justice and Related Themes
Overview
Justice
The Power of God
God's Appeal
Chapter 7: The Five Visions
Overview
The Five Visions
Vision and the Word
Chapter 8: Confronting the Religious Establishment, and the Silence of God
Overview
The Quarrel with the High Priest of Bethel
The Silence of God
Chapter 9: Reconciliation
Overview
Israel in History
Israel from an Eschatological Perspective
Part 2: The Letter of James
Chapter 10: Introduction to James
Chapter 11: Overview of the Christian Life
To All People
Life as a Test of Who We Are
Money as a Test
Beginning a New Life
The Word and the New Life
Chapter 12: The Other
Life without Religion?
Life as the Practice of Faith
Chapter 13: The Word
Our Words
Wisdom, Intelligence, Words and Lies
Chapter 14: Life in the World
What Is the World?
The World and Defilement
The World of Judgements and Planning
Chapter 15: To Whom or What do we Belong?
The World of the Rich
Divided Loyalties
Chapter 16: Our Christian Lives Together
Postscript: The Poverty and Riches of Jews and Christians
The Flesh, the Law and the Spirit
Gods Strategy
Love and Justice
Grafted Onto the Jewish Tree
Notes
Part 1: Amos
Chapter 1: Introduction to Amos
Chapter 2: The Prophecies Against the Six Surrounding Nations
Chapter 3: The Prophecies Against Judah and Israel
The Prophecy Against Judah
The Prophecy Against Israel
Israel's Punishment
Chapter 4: Intertwining Themes...
Overview
The Role of Prophecy
The Crimes
The Punishments
Chapter 5: God's Pedagogy and the Evolving Revelation
Overview
The Five Scourges
God's Pedagogy
God Awaits His People
Chapter 6: Justice and Related Themes
Overview
Justice
The Power of God
God's Appeal
Chapter 7: The Five Visions
Overview
The Five Visions
Vision and the Word
Chapter 8: Confronting the Religious Establishment, and the Silence of God
Overview
The Quarrel with the High Priest of Bethel
The Silence of God
Chapter 9: Reconciliation
Overview
Israel in History
Israel from an Eschatological Perspective
Part 2: The Letter of James
Chapter 10: Introduction to James
Chapter 11: Overview of the Christian Life
To All People
Life as a Test of Who We Are
Money as a Test
Beginning a New Life
The Word and the New Life
Chapter 12: The Other
Life without Religion?
Life as the Practice of Faith
Chapter 13: The Word
Our Words
Wisdom, Intelligence, Words and Lies
Chapter 14: Life in the World
What Is the World?
The World and Defilement
The World of Judgements and Planning
Chapter 15: To Whom or What do we Belong?
The World of the Rich
Divided Loyalties
Chapter 16: Our Christian Lives Together
Postscript: The Poverty and Riches of Jews and Christians
The Flesh, the Law and the Spirit
Gods Strategy
Love and Justice
Grafted Onto the Jewish Tree
Notes