Poverty in the Early Church and Today

Steve Walton is Associate Research Fellow at Trinity College, Bristol, UK, and was formerly Professor in New Testament at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK.Hannah Swithinbank leads the Theology and Network Engagement Team at Tearfund, UK.

Most Christians at most times have believed that loving our neighbour was intimately connected with loving God. In an age where there is a rush to activism this volume is a deep well of refreshment as it addresses why we act and how our actions connect with the mission of God and how that mission has been worked out in different times and places. This volume will help us serve the world with intelligence and compassion.

• How This Book Works Reflecting on Poverty: - Bishop Graham TomlinForeword: Cardinal Vincent NicholsList of AbbreviationsList of Contributors I. Poverty Then and Now1. Two Concepts of Poverty: A Theological Analysis – Justin Thacker, Cliff College, UK2. Poverty and Its Causes in the Early Church – Lynn H. Cohick, Denver Seminary, USA 3. Causes of Poverty Today – Katie Harrison, Tearfund, UK 4. Response to Lynn H. Cohick – Katie Harrison, Tearfund, UK5. Dream Better Dreams: Response to Katie Harrison – Lynn H. Cohick, Denver Seminary, USA6.‘Do Good to All (Galatians 6.10): Assets, Capital, and Benefaction in Early Christianity – Bruce W. Longenecker, Baylor University, USA7. Benefaction Today?– John Coleby, Caritas, UK8. Response to Bruce Longenecker – John Coleby, Caritas, UK9. Response to John Coleby – Bruce W. Longenecker, Baylor University, USA10. Patronage and People: Paul’s Perspective in Philippians– Steve Walton, St. Mary’s University, UK11. Patronage Today – Helen Hekel, Tearfund, UK12. Response to Steve Walton – Helen Hekel, Tearfund, UK13. Response to Helen Hekel – Steve Walton, St. Mary’s University, UK14. Paul and the Gift to Jerusalem: Overcoming the Problems of the Long-Distance Gift– John M.G. Barclay, University of Durham, UK15. Raising Funds in One Place, Giving to Another: Gift Distribution Today– Virginia Luckett, Tearfund, UK16. Response to John Barclay – Virginia Luckett, Tearfund, UK17. Response to Virginia Luckett – John M.G. Barclay, University of Durham, UK18. Wealth and Dehumanization: Ezekiel’s Oracles against Tyre – Myrto Theocharous, Greek Bible College, Greece19. Poverty and Dehumanization – Ellie Hughes, Riverbank Trust, UK20. Response to Myrto Theocharous – Ellie Hughes, Riverbank Trust, UK21. Response to Ellie Hughes – Myrto Theocharous, Greek Bible College, Greece22. The ‘Undeserving Poor’ in the Early Church – Fiona J. R. Gregson, Diocese of Birmingham, UK 23. The ‘Undeserving Poor’ Today: The Rhetoric and Theological Development of a Problematic Category – Hannah Swithinbank, Tearfund, UK24. Response to Fiona Gregson – Hannah Swithinbank, Tearfund, UK25. Response to Hannah Swithinbank – Fiona Gregson, Diocese of Birmingham, UK 26. The Early Church, The Roman State, and Ancient Civil Society: Whose Responsibility are the Poor?– Christopher M. Hays, Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia, Colombia27. Poverty and the Powers Today – Stephen Timms MP, House of Commons, UK28. Response to Christopher Hays– Stephen Timms MP, House of Commons, UK29. Response to Stephen Timms, MP – Christopher M. Hays, Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia, Colombia30. The Poor Will Always be among You: Poverty, Education and the Catholic Ideal – Francis Campbell, St. Mary’s University, UK II. Responding and Reflecting31. Review: Responding and Summarizing – Craig Blomberg, Denver Seminary, USA 32. Between Today and Yesterday: Evidence, Complexity, Poverty and the ‘Body’ of Christ – Francis DavisSelect BibliographyIndex