Transforming Enterprise?
American Evangelicalism, Capitalism, and the Challenge of Practical Theology
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Work, Money & Leadership
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
How does Christian faith integrate with capitalism? This question has been at the heart of Christian ethics for more than three hundred years, but rarely as complex and important as now. The polarizing influence of consumer capitalism has extended into virtually every domain of human life. On the one hand, capitalism has contributed to increases in standards of living and life expectancy, especially among those in extreme poverty. On the other, it has exacerbated income inequality, environmental damages, and social displacement. For contemporary American evangelical theology, this is problematic. It has long been on a quest to show that Christian faith harmonizes with capitalistic enterprise. But can faith harness the transformational power of consumer capitalism without being affected by its excesses? For many, the election of Donald Trump as president has revealed a great divide within American evangelicalism about the links between Christianity, economic power, and moral character. Working from the field of academic practical theology in interdisciplinary dialogue with business management ethics, Transforming Enterprise? shows why and how a reframing of the relationship between Christian faith and capitalistic enterprise is needed in the contemporary postsecular milieu.
Endorsements (7)
“In the face of the formidable challenges of post-secularism and vicious consumerism against authentic Christian life within the market system, we need to listen to Andrew Yancey’s judicious and astute exhortation about how to practice Christlike and selfless love through the cultivation of the values of gelassenheit. This is a must-read for all people who are struggling with the question of how to transform the dominant cultural ethos with the radical message of the Christian gospel.”
“Transforming Enterprise? is a brilliant and engaging book in which the author challenges the silos of practical theology and stakeholder theory in a discerning and intelligent manner. By drawing on theological and religious aspects rooted in Christian traditions and on ethical principles embedded in the field of business ethics, the author demonstrates how an open and enriching dialogue between stakeholder theory and practical theology can be transformative and beneficial to enterprise and the practice of religion.”
“There are millions of people who both confess Christ and go to work each day. They are longing to connect belief and practice, ideas and meaningful action. Though they often don’t articulate it, they’re longing for practical theology. Yet for many American Christians, their faith has been shaped by capitalism far more than they often think. We need to pause and think through whether Christians are transforming capitalism, or whether capitalism is transforming us. Yancey has done us all a favor by critically looking at American evangelicalism and modern business, but also pointing a way forward for those of us who long to live a life of love in both church and business.”
“The scope and details of the argument developed in this book impressed me. Readers will be challenged by—and will learn from—its interdisciplinary engagement with the fields of theology, philosophy, and business. It is insightful and well-informed in its analysis of the current context of evangelicalism and business, and their interrelation. Andrew Yancey presents theological reflection as an antidote to conformity to patterns of consumption and management in contemporary culture.”
“By combining practical theology with stakeholder theory and ethics, Yancey offers us an important foundation for building transformative linkages between spiritual values, practices, and ethics. This remarkable book gives fresh thought to living out our faith in a relevant and relational way in a post-secular society. Yancey puts a fundamental dagger in the artificial sacred/secular divide and lays the groundwork for meaningful human flourishing.”
“In this important and innovative work, based on original research, Andrew Yancey puts practical theology to work—literally—in the world of business, management, and enterprise. This promises to be a vital resource for those looking for a new kind of Christian spirituality and practice that is biblically rooted and socially responsible.”
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