How does one develop the dialogue between Christian theology and the domain of Economics? What are the options, process, desired outcomes? This is a presentattion in the course on Community Economics that is part of he MA in Transformational Urban Leadership and the Graduate Certificate (=Post-grad Diploma) in Social Entrepreneurship at William Carey Internaitonal University (www.wciu.edu/matul) See also www.matul.org. The video may be found at https://vimeo.com/731250415

1. The Processes of
Correlating Urban
Theology and
Urban Economics
Dr Viv Grigg, 2022

2. Urban Theology
& Urban
Economics
The questions for our
Discussion:
What are the correlations
between two domains of
knowledge: economics
and Christian theology?

3. Questions on the
Correlation of Urban
Theology & Urban
Economics
Multichoice:
1. Economics is a subset of
theology?
2. A distinct and unchallengable
alternative universe?
3. There is a dialogical imperative?
Economics
Theology
History
Cities
Economics
Theology

4. Economics
Theology
History
Cities
Economics
Theology
The Historical Shift
from the triumph of
Theology to the
compartmentalization
of economics, politics,
and theology

5. Tawney on the transformation of the relationship of church and
economics in Britain in the 16th & 17th century
The synthesis is resolved into its elements - politics, business, and spiritual
exercises; each assumes a separate and independent vitality and obeys
the laws of its own being. The social functions matured within the Church,
and long identified with it, are transferred to the State, which in turn is
idolized as the dispenser of prosperity and the guardian of civilization. The
theory of a hierarchy of values, embracing all human interests and activities
in a system of which the apex is religion, is replaced by the conception of
separate and parallel compartments, between which a due balance should
be maintained, but which have no vital connection with each other.
The intellectual movement is, of course, very gradual.

6. Optimal Practice of Dialogue between
Theology & Economics?
1.Nature of the dialogue: a critical one or mere speculation?
2.Objective of the dialogue?
4.Insitutionalization in the Academe?
3.Process for dialogue?

7. 2. Outcomes of
Dialogue between
Theology &
Economics?

8. Tawney on the speed and evolution of
changes in economic theory
The intellectual movement is, of course, very gradual.
There is an evolution of ideas, as well as of organisms, and the quality of
civilization depends…. on the transmission, less of physical qualities, than of a
complex structure of habits, knowledge, and beliefs, the destruction of which
would be followed within a year by the death of half the human race. Granted that
the groundwork of inherited dispositions with which the individual is born has
altered little in recorded history, the interests and values which compose his world
have undergone a succession of revolutions.

9. 3. Processes for
Dialogue between
Theology &
Economics?

10. The Who/What Process: Towards an
Auckland Business Theology
Start with
People’s
Theology

11. CREATING AN AUCKLAND
BUSINESS THEOLOGY
Viv Grigg, ed.
With New Covenant Urban Mission Students
TRANSFORMATIONAL CONVERSATIONS 2:
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The What: Collective Paradigms

12. The Who/What Process:
Disseminated Publications
Create Collective Ownership of Ideas
They Define the Issue
They Extend the Discussion
As in all business, start with
marketing

13. The Who/What
Process:
The Consultations
Refining the Ideas:
Moving to Action

14. Consultation Success
One on Ones Prior
to Gathering
Content is well
developed
Collective
discussion
Consultations
Serve Ongoing
Movement
Administrative
Capacity to Sustain
Momentum
Issues are the
Peoples’ Issue

15. Evaluating The Oxford Declaration on
Faith and Economics - Jan 1987,
1990Who? How did this build collectivity? Were only thinkers or only
activists involved? Where does this fit with a wider movement?
What? Focal questions? As defined by economists or theologians?
Approach? How does it perceive the role of theology in the
economic sphere?
Movement Outcomes?
• Who was influenced? Whom is it addressing?
• What actions resulted?
• Where was this disseminated?

16. 4. Institutionalization
in the Academe?
Movements waft and wane *(7-10
years??)
But institutionalized Domains of
Knowledge become significantly
influential

17. Institutionalized
Domain of
Theology and
Economics?
¼ of Jesus teaching was on
Economics
Are occasional courses
institutionalization?
How many of these are within
Business schools?
The intellectual movement is, of
course, very gradual (Tawney).

18. Which is more useful?
Ten Principles of
Economics or the
Oxford Declaration?