By Filings on
Society & Culture
Economics
Capitalism

“As with most good gifts given by God to humans, we are able to corrupt it and use it in ways that harm our neighbors. Yet for the most part, the price system is an ingenious method of communication that has been used to improve the human condition.” - TGC

Discussion

Thu, 07/15/21

Economics is a hobby of mine and I love studying it. That said, I really don’t see how a pastor needs to know economics to be a faithful shepherd.

Thu, 07/15/21

Sorry, Josh, just couldn’t resist.

Seriously, I would argue that a pastor ought to be able to detect false economics when he sees it in the congregation, since so much false economics, especially on the socialist side, more or less starts with the assumption that private property isn’t really property, and the Bible does indeed have a lot to say about that. One does not need to be able to function at the “has a BA in econ” level or greater, but one really does need to be able to spot the more egregious errors, IMO.

(like those of “economics major” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

Sun, 07/18/21

[josh p]

Economics is a hobby of mine and I love studying it. That said, I really don’t see how a pastor needs to know economics to be a faithful shepherd.

Actually, every time I read the gospels, I’m shocked at how interested Jesus is in economics. Or at least, economic principles.

Sun, 07/18/21

[Andrew K]
josh p wrote:

Economics is a hobby of mine and I love studying it. That said, I really don’t see how a pastor needs to know economics to be a faithful shepherd.

Actually, every time I read the gospels, I’m shocked at how interested Jesus is in economics. Or at least, economic principles.

I agree that he actually says a lot that should inform our understanding in certain ways. I just don’t see it as a pastor requirement.