My paper proposal for this year’s annual meeting of the National Association of Baptist Professor of Religion has been accepted; here is the proposal. It is my attempt at trying to construct a theology of economics.
National Association of Baptist Professor of Religion
Annual Meeting
May 23-25, 2011
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
PAPER, PANEL, OTHER: Paper Presentation
PRESENTATION TITLE: The Economics of Jesus: The Tea Party, FDR, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a comparative study of their religious perspectives on economic policy
PROPOSAL SYNOPSIS (250-3OO WORDS):
The 2010 Congressional mid-term election campaigns that were defined by two issues: religion and money. As part of the national conversation, issues that were raised included questions related to a nationalized healthcare system, whether or not the Bush tax cuts should be extended, how long unemployment benefits should be granted to recipients, and especially talks surrounding the state and national budget deficits. Underneath each truth claim pertaining to economic policy for all factions, there is an underlying theological presupposition. For example, both members of the OneNation and 8/28 groups invoked the name of God as well as the exemplary Christian citizenship of Dr. MLK, Jr. I would like to suggest that we, as U.S. American citizens, have a tendency to advocate for a variety of economic policy preferences for the purpose of remaining consistent with our diverse set of religious values.
This paper proposes to study of the theological and historical outlooks of the modern day Tea Party Movement as well as the sources for their views on economics. In comparison, I plan to also examine the history and theology of the man that the Tea Party movement sees itself as a critique of: the late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In contrast with the FDR’s New Deal, many members of the TPM see themselves as opposing government intervention in economics. I argue that FDR and TPM are driven by distinct ideologies, and that both have deep implications for how society approaches that intertwined realities of class and racial oppression. In my conclusion of this work, I would like to offer a possible starting point for a theology of economics through example of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This “theo-economics” would affirm the interconnectedness of race and class while valuing a role for the federal government and free enterprise.
Rod the Rogue Demon Hunter, Preacher of Hope | Black Scholar of Patristics | Writer for Nonviolent Politics. Destroyer of Trolls. It must be that angry puppy.
More Posts - Website - Twitter
Like this:
Like Loading...
