Ryan P. Cumming

Charging Interest

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Usury seems like such an outdated concept, yet Grzonka's translation of this important (and oft-overlooked) treatise, coupled with his incisive commentary and thought-provoking questions for review and study, brings Luther's critique of greed firmly into the present day. As economic inequality continues to increase, Grzonka reminds readers that an economy based on inequality and exploitation is as reprehensible now as it was five hundred years ago. When practices and policies allow a small few to thrive and leave many fighting to survive, the church cannot remain silent. Luther's "Exhortation" starkly challenges us to confront economic injustice with the conviction that exploitation is an affront to both conscience and faith. One can hope that this new translation and set of study resources gain as much attention as the original writing did five centuries ago. As Grzonka makes clear, its fierce call to action is needed now more than ever.”

Everyone Must Eat

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Ending hunger and building a sustainable food system for the future means confronting the structures, policies, and institutions that shape how we get our food. But this also means understanding the communities, cultures, and history of our relationship to food, land, and people. Yackel-Juleen reminds us that behind heady topics such as sustainability and efficiency are deeper issues of value, meaning, identity, faith, and vocation. He deftly bridges his personal experience with data to uncover the realities behind our current food system and what we need to change for the future. His careful research, deep reflection on faith, and practical tips for ministry bring readers into the lives and histories of rural communities that are too often overlooked. As Yackel-Juleen writes, it is the story of the ‘land and the people’ that reminds us that ending hunger is about ‘relationships, not just the economics of global food production.’ That is an important reminder, and the book should be required reading for anyone passionate about food, hunger, the environment, and the future of the church.”