ABSTRACT
The character of the declaration is most visible where the WARC connects this analysis to biblical teaching. The declaration is very pronounced in its wording. It claims that the worldwide economic system causes accumulation of the wealth of the rich at the expense of the poor, and considers this as unfaithful-
ness to God. The declaration refers to Luke 16: 13, where Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and Mammon. The strong condemnation of the free market system is particularly strongly stated in the third part of the declaration that alternately makes a statement of faith, followed by a rejection of an aspect of the free market economy. To illustrate, the declaration states in articles 18 and 19:
We believe that God is sovereign over all creation. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Ps. 24: 1). Therefore, we reject the current economic order imposed by global neoliberal capitalism and any other economic system, including absolute planned economies, which defy God’s covenant by excluding the poor, the vulnerable and the whole of creation from the fullness of life.
