Economics in the Church Fathers

The “Fathers of the Church” is used to refer, broadly speaking, to all the theological writers of the first six centuries who represent orthodox teaching. Their writings are not homogeneous, and there are important shifts in the fourth century when Christianity moves from being persecuted to being the religion of the Roman Emperors, with substantial property holdings and with the rise of monastic communities. Certain themes recur, and this chapter considers the Fathers’ writings on property ownership, the nature of wealth, trade, charity and almsgiving, slavery, and interest.

Art · Christianity · Church Fathers · Epistemology · Homogeneous · Literature · Property (philosophy) · Sociology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Islamic Finance and Banking Studies · Philosophy · Religion, Society, and Development · Religious studies