Introduction

Let me begin with a confession. I am a theologian; I am no economist and I make no pretense to be one. In fact, when I became interested in the question of the relationship between theology and economics I structured my study of the discipline of economics according to a theological method. Christian theology can adequately be done only through the application of an historical method. It assumes an original revelation, given to the apostles, that we can designate, for want of a better description, ‘the Christ event’ (Karl Barth). This original event is given completely to and in history and then is diachronically passed on through its non-identical repetition in and through the church.