ABSTRACT
“Development” practice attempts to improve the lives of the poor. While some shifts within development work do prioritize the poor, current development practices still work against the Christian notion of “life abundant” and Christian theology has failed to articulate a theology of development that leads to coherent practice. Christian faith-based aid and development organizations (FBDOs) assume Christianity supports development practice and these organizations rely on the support of Christian churches and Christians in the global North. However, the history of development and liberation show that while there is a theology of liberation, there is not a coherent theology of development. A theology of development will articulate how the Christian tradition supports empowerment, justice, and walking with the marginalized. Theology goes beyond what is happening to argue for what should happen. In particular, aid agencies could address the entrenchment of unequal power relations, the distinction between charity and justice, and what it means to prioritize those most marginalized. We can begin with the question: what do the marginalized want in order to be able to live life abundant?
