Religion and Economics

A 2013 course by Mark Lewis Taylor at Princeton Theological Seminary examines globalization, "coloniality of power, class and empire, as challenges to critical reflection in theology and ethics."

A 2017 course by John Shouse at Gateway Theological Seminary surveys "the field of religious drama as an introduction to the uses of drama for witnessing, worship, recreation, and education in the church."

A 2014 course by Reid Locklin at University of Toronto raises "critical questions of social justice and international development from diverse religious and disciplinary perspectives."

A course by Michael McBride at the University of California-Irvine aims "to teach how basic principles from economics yield a greater understanding of religious behavior."

A 1998 course by John Wall at DePaul University explores "the ethical issues which arise in contemporary business" including "competing approaches to ethical theory" and "select ethical issues."

A course by Bryan Stone at Boston University aims at "understanding and assessing the organizational structure, operation, and management of faith-based non-profits."

A 2013 course by Patrick Flanagan at St. John's University introduces moral theology and uses "the lens of RCST through a critical reading of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Economic Justice for All to critique contemporary business practices."

A 1997 course by Edward Tomasiewicz at DePaul University "grapples with the relationships and tensions between faith/religion and commerce/money. "

A 1998 course by Ivan Strenski at the University of California, Riverside, analyzes how "economic ideology shapes 'our' society" and other topics related to religion, economics, and values.

A 2006 course by Paul Oslington at Macquarie University surveys the "history of the relationship between economics and theology" across various religious traditions.

A 2010 course by Michael Andres at Northwestern College offers "a biblically based, theologically and historically informed study of both personal and social moral issues from a Christian perspective."

A 2015 course by Malinda Elizabeth Berry at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary explores "various perspectives on the meaning of justice, economic 'development' in the global village, economic systems and theories, economics and ecology, business ethics, economics in the church, and economic faithfulness for individual Christians."

A 2017 course by Allan Rudy-Froese at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary asks students to consider "the values related to money in the communities that have shaped them; think through their beliefs about money biblically and theologically; evaluate their current money practices in light of their faith, and develop a money-related practice to pursue throughout the course."

A 2017 course by Mary Elizabeth Moore, Pamela Lightsey, and Bryan Stone aquaints students "with principles, practices, and tools for wise financial management in their personal and professional lives and from within a theological framework of stewardship."

A course by Angie Jackson at Central Baptist Theological Seminary seeks to "equip learners for financial wellbeing: practicing thoughtful and intentional money management that facilitates personal contentment, reflects faith in Jesus Christ, and demonstrates commitment to Christian vocation."

A 2017 course by Regina Wentzel Wolfe at Catholic Theological Union "explores the responsibility those called to ministry have to provide effective administrative and managerial leadership whether they serve in increasingly complex parishes, religious congregations, diocesan offices, or other Church related organizations. The course gives particular attention to the theological and ethical foundations of pastoral leadership as well as management theory and practice, communications and marketing skills, fundamental principles of human resource management, and basic budgeting and financial management skills. It also examines best practices in compliance and organizational ethics with emphasis on mission integration and ongoing professional development of staff."

A 2017 course by Steve Lawler at Eden Theological Seminary "focuses on key elements of management and how these support effective leadership and organizational success."

A course by Gary Hoag explores "the Scriptures to deepen . . . understanding of Christian generosity. . . . [And] the issues leaders face professionally and consider practices that are not formulaic, but rather, formational, for raising up stewards . . . .

A course by Gary Hoag pitched at multiple levels of higher education analyzes Christian perspectives on money and stewardship.

A course by Gary Hoag "helps leaders understand biblical stewardship principles as a basis for encouraging Christian generosity."

A 2017 course by Adam Copeland at Luther Seminary "includes a study of biblical texts related to giving and stewardship of resources, the meaning of money, one’s own attitudes regarding money and stewardship, theological undergirdings for financial stewardship, the importance of pastoral leadership in a congregation’s stewardship, analysis of stewardship programs, engagement with church leaders, and discussion of practical application to contemporary congregational life and preaching."

A course by Gary Skeen at Mercer University "is designed for ministry leaders to study personal and church business concepts and basic administrative practices in order to enhance the vision and ministry of the church. Emphases include organizational structure, policies and procedures, financial processes, budgets, personnel issues, tax and legal issues, risk management, facilities management, church debt, social media, personal finances, donor issues, and stewardship philosophies."

A 2016 course by Jay Earheart-Brown and Debra Matthews at Memphis Seminary considers "biblical and theological resources for developing a theology of finance, along with developing the tools needed for personal financial planning and the management of finances in a church setting."

A 2016 course by Ginny Olson at North Park University Chicago "provides an overview of the fundamentals of church administration including aspects of church management such as: servant leadership, volunteer management, finances, fundraising, strategic planning, risk management, government regulations, legal issues, and pastoral/staff compensation and benefits."

A course by Courtney Wiley-Harris at New York Theological Seminary "is designed to understand fundraising as a ministry. It will provide the perspectives of biblical stewardship; insights on creating generous congregants and constituents; and explore the practical steps in crafting a Theology of Development."

A 2017 course by Bill Kirkemo at Nazarene Theological Seminary offers a "study of Christian financial management from three perspectives. First, the course focuses on all aspects of local church finance including budgeting, financial record keeping, receiving and disbursing funds, developing accounting systems, and planning for building projects. Second, the course helps the ministers-in-training to develop sound personal financial processes including personal budgeting, tax-wise ministerial compensation planning, and retirement planning. Finally, students are exposed to tools that can be used in promoting stewardship among congregants."

A 2015 course by DeForest Soaries, Jr. at New Brunswick Theological Seminary "offers an historical, cultural, Biblical and social overview of consumer debt in Western society. The evolution and impact of marketing and advertising as contributors to the culture of debt will be explored.The relationship between Christian faith, clergy and consumerism will also be considered.The impact of debt on clergy and congregational ministry will be studied."

A 2017 course by Timothy O'Brien at North Park University Chicago "addresses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide financial leadership in a nonprofit organization. . . . the emphasis is on leading the financial function. Included in this course are appropriate financial and management strategies, GAAP, management control, long and short range planning, financial statement analysis, financial resource management, compliance and financial decision making tools.

A 2017 course by Rick Bee at Biola University "seeks to explore key theological themes and biblical texts related to personal use of money and possessions . . . . Attention will be placed on practical implementation of biblical financial principles in the students’ life development and vocation. Topics to be covered: materialism & spirituality, eternity, honesty, work/vocation, giving & spirituality, counsel, saving, and debt."

A 2017 course by Mary Lederleitner at Trinity International University "helps students, ministry staff and pastors grow in sensitivity and knowledge about how to navigate financial challenges common in a variety of ministry settings."

A 2014 course by Jan Cason at Baylor University "is designed for church leaders to study church business concepts and basic administrative practices in order to enhance the vision and ministry of the church. Major emphases include constitution and bylaws, policies and procedures, financial processes, budgets, personnel issues, tax and legal issues, risk management, facilities management, church debt, social media, personal finances, donor issues, and stewardship philosophies."

A 2016 course by Ched Myers at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities "examines . . . [economic justice] through the biblical lens of “Sabbath Economics,” which identifies relational sufficiency as the divine vision for human life, and structural socio-economic disparity as an essential characteristic of human sin."

A 2014 course by John Senior at Wake Forest University "examines the structure of modern markets and evaluates their moral meaning in Christian theological perspective."

A 2014 course by Jonathan Miller and Katherine Shaner at Wake Forest University School of Divinity "surveys both the Biblical literature on debt and the landscape of consumer debt in the 21st-century United States."

A 2015 course by Lovett Weems at Wesley Theological Seminary introduces the "basics of personal financial management, including link of financial health to overall health, consumerism, debt management, tax considerations, legal issues, saving and investing, risk management and insurance, and health care and retirement benefits."

A 2017 course by Pam Bush and Kyle J.A. Small at Western Theological Seminary surveys personal and professional dimensions of financial stewardship for clergy.

A 2015 course by Brian Cannon at Western Theological Seminary covers "the fundamentals of good money management."

A 2018 course by Mary Lederleitner at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School "helps participants grow in their ability to raise funds for ministry dreams and aspirations."

A 2017 course by Jill DeTemple at Southern Methodist University introduces "International Economic Development as a global social institution which often intersects with social constructions of gender, religious institutions, and religious world views."