Political Economy as Natural Theology

Paul Oslington is Professor of Economics and Dean of Business at Alphacrucis College in Sydney, Australia. He previously held a joint appointment as Professor in the Schools of Business and Theology at Australian Catholic University, and before that Associate Professor of Economics at the University of New South Wales, along with visiting positions at the University of Oxford, University of British Columbia, Regent College Vancouver and Princeton Theological Seminary and University. He is also an honorary Research Professor at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra.

'Oslington’s work adds clarity to the ongoing battle among intellectual historians for the right to narrate the history of economic thought. In a world where economic principles are often endowed with ‘natural’ authority, people on both ends of the economic spectrum have something to gain by claiming thinkers such as Adam Smith as their intellectual ancestors. As an expert in the ongoing dialogue between economics and Christian theology, Oslington is uniquely placed to explore this foundational period of economic tradition.' Kathryn D. Blanchard, Alma College"The last two decades have seen a notable “turn to religion,” as it has been called in a variety of academic disciplines, including economics. Part of this movement is increased attention to the relationship between economics and religion, and particu>larly theology, from a historical perspective. Paul Oslington’s work on theology and economics, including an earlier edited volume (Adam Smith as Theologian), stands at the forefront of this revisionist program, which aims both to more properly ground historical understandings of the origins of political economy as well as to use that grounding as a way to begin to reconcile—if not reunite—theology and political economy."—Jordan J. Ballor, HOPE reviews

• 1 Introduction 2 Natural Theology: Philosophical and Historical Issues IntroductionNatural theology and scriptureVarieties of natural theologyThe British tradition of scientific natural theology Natural theology, creation and providenceNatural theology and theodicyConclusion3 Early English Theological Roots of Political Economy IntroductionJoseph Butler (1692–1752) Josiah Tucker (1713–99) William Paley (1743–1805)Edmund Burke (1729–97) Conclusion4 Adam Smith as Natural Theologian IntroductionAdam Smith’s religious backgroundAdam Smith's invisible handAdam Smith’s theodicyThe future hope, nature and justice in Smith’s system.Conclusion5 Natural Theology and the Emergence of Political Economy: Stewart, Malthus, Sumner and Chalmers IntroductionFurther Scottish background: Dugald StewartMalthus' Principle of Population and its theodicyDevelopment of Malthus’ theodicy by JB Sumner Malthus’ Scottish disciple Thomas Chalmers Conclusion6 Progress and Tension: Richard Whately and William Whewell IntroductionPolitical Economy at Oxford: Nassau Senior and the responses by Richard Whately and JH NewmanRichard WhatelyPolitical Economy at Cambridge: Richard Jones and William WhewellConclusion7 The Demise of Natural Theology and Separation of Economics from Theology IntroductionExplaining the separation of economics from theologyExplaining the demise of natural theology The demise of natural theology as the separation of economics from theologyEvolution as a lost opportunity to renew natural theologySubsequent developments in Britain, continental Europe and North AmericaConclusion8 Reflections on the Contemporary Relationship between Economics and Theology IntroductionWhat can we learn from this episode about what promotes fruitful and unfruitful exchange between economists and theologians? Frameworks for contemporary engagement Appendix: analysis of key terms in English books