An economic justice toolkit for Christians

The church is positioned to be an ally of the poor and laborers in their search for social justice and equality, but only if it actively chooses to be. Numerous passages in Scripture convey God’s strong disapproval of inequality point toward a religious imperative to speak out. What are the most effective ways to frame and facilitate discussions about poverty, and how can pastors and activists add to their own understandings of the theological and religious history of labor and work?

By critically examining biblical texts, Church history, and present-day events and experiences, Eric Atcheson offers pastors, activists, and concerned citizens a faith-based toolkit for understanding and addressing the economic disparities present in their communities, as well as ways to initiate hopeful conversations. On Earth as It Is in Heaven is a powerful resource for any of the faithful interested in building a more just and equitable kingdom in the face of increasingly powerful opposition.

Preface: For More than Ashes

Chapter 1

A Modern-Day Famine: Wealth and Inequality in the Twenty-First Century

Chapter 2

The Divine Economy in the Law and the Prophets

Chapter 3

The Divine Economy in the Gospels, the Epistles, and Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 4

The Divine Economy throughout the History of Western Christianity

Chapter 5

How We Got Here: Christianity’s Pursuit of Wealth in the United States

Chapter 6

The Dispossession of Children and Elders: Wealth and Generational Status

Chapter 7

Questions of Color: Chattel Slavery, Violent Removal, and Reparations

Epilogue: Rest on the Seventh Day

Acknowledgments

Discussion Questions