The Marketplace of Christianity

The Marketplace of Christianity

Author: Robert B. Ekelund, Jr.

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2008-09-26

Total Pages: 367

ISBN-13: 0262262622

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Economics can help us understand the evolution and development of religion, from the market penetration of the Reformation to an exploration of today's hot-button issues including evolution and gay marriage. This startlingly original (and sure to be controversial) account of the evolution of Christianity shows that the economics of religion has little to do with counting the money in the collection basket and much to do with understanding the background of today's religious and political divisions. Since religion is a set of organized beliefs, and a church is an organized body of worshippers, it's natural to use a science that seeks to explain the behavior of organizations—economics—to understand the development of organized religion. The Marketplace of Christianity applies the tools of economic theory to illuminate the emergence of Protestantism in the sixteenth century and to examine contemporary religion-influenced issues, including evolution and gay marriage. The Protestant Reformation, the authors argue, can be seen as a successful penetration of a religious market dominated by a monopoly firm—the Catholic Church. The Ninety-five Theses nailed to the church door in Wittenberg by Martin Luther raised the level of competition within Christianity to a breaking point. The Counter-Reformation, the Catholic reaction, continued the competitive process, which came to include "product differentiation" in the form of doctrinal and organizational innovation. Economic theory shows us how Christianity evolved to satisfy the changing demands of consumers—worshippers. The authors of The Marketplace of Christianity avoid value judgments about religion. They take preferences for religion as given and analyze its observable effects on society and the individual. They provide the reader with clear and nontechnical background information on economics and the economics of religion before focusing on the Reformation and its aftermath. Their analysis of contemporary hot-button issues—science vs. religion, liberal vs. conservative, clerical celibacy, women and gay clergy, gay marriage—offers a vivid illustration of the potential of economic analysis to contribute to our understanding of religion.


Marketplace Christianity: Discovering the Kingdom Purpose of the Marketplace

Marketplace Christianity: Discovering the Kingdom Purpose of the Marketplace

Author: Robert E. Fraser

Publisher: Oasis House

Published: 2004-08-01

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 9780975390511

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In this paradigm-shattering book, businessman and entrepreneur of the year Robert Fraser writes to the 97 percent of Christians not called to full-time vocational ministry but called by God to the marketplace. In practical everyday language, Fraser shares insights from his experience running a 250-employee software company which experienced sustained revival and business success during his tenure as CEO. Fraser's passion is to ignite business owners with a vision for financing the world harvest.


Just Business

Just Business

Author: Alexander D. Hill

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 1997-01-01

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 9780830818860

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To those faced with the many questions and quandaries of doing business with integrity, here is a place to beggin. Alexander Hill explores the Christian concepts of holiness, justice, and love, and shows how some common responses to business ethics fall short of these. Then, he turns to penetrating case studies on such pressing topics as employer-employee relations, discrimination, and affirmative action.


The Marketplace Christian

The Marketplace Christian

Author: Darren Shearer

Publisher:

Published: 2015-10-21

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781940024493

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Approximately 85% of working Christians spend the majority of their waking hours working in a for-profit company. We are marketplace Christians called to transform the marketplace for the glory of God.In The Marketplace Christian, Darren Shearer provides practical and personalized strategies to help you fulfill your specific transformational ministry to the world of business. In this book, you will learn...- The specific spiritual gifts God has entrusted to you for ministry in the marketplace- Strategies for using your spiritual gifts in a business setting- Examples of 23 marketplace Christians who have (and are) using their spiritual gifts in businessYou will also learn...- How the author, Darren Shearer, went from Bible school to running his own business for the glory of God- How to identify your God-given marketplace ministry assignment- 9 reasons why the marketplace is a great place for Christians to serve God- How business can be your "full-time ministry"How to transform your industry for the glory of GodThe Marketplace Christian includes the "Spiritual Gifts in the Marketplace Assessment" that will help you to discover the unique abilities God has entrusted to you for fulfilling His purposes in your sphere of influence in business. You will also learn about other marketplace Christians who have used each of the 23 spiritual gifts discussed in this book as well as specific suggestions for how you can use your own gifts for marketplace ministry.


Business for the Common Good

Business for the Common Good

Author: Kenman L. Wong

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2011-01-28

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 0830868410

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Is business just a way to make money? Or can the marketplace be a venue for service to others? Scott B. Rae and Kenman L. Wong seek to explore this and other critical business issues from a uniquely Christian perspective, offering up a vision for work and service that is theologically grounded and practically oriented.


Economic Origins of Roman Christianity

Economic Origins of Roman Christianity

Author: Robert Burton Ekelund

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2011-08-15

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 0226200027

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Using basic concepts of economic theory, the authors explain the origin and subsequent spread of Roman Christianity, showing first how the standard concepts of risk, cost and benefit can account for the demand for religion.


The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas

The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas

Author: Paul Copan

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2014-06-05

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 0830840435

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Capturing important insights from Paul's speech to the multicultural and multireligious city of Athens in Acts 17, Paul Copan and Kenneth Litwak seek to enhance and embolden the church's witness in today's pluralistic society by helping us point contemporary Athenians beyond "an unknown God" to the God and Father of Jesus Christ.


Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, Second Edition

Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, Second Edition

Author: Sarah Bolme

Publisher:

Published: 2009-07-01

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 9780972554688

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Packed with valuable information on promoting books in the Christian marketplace, this book is the perfect resource for publishers and authors. Chock full of specific resources with contact information, Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace walks you step-by-step through the various aspects of book promotion. This second edition has been updated and expanded. This new addition includes chapters on leveraging social networking and the Urban market. This is the essential resource for anyone involved in producing and promoting Christian books.


Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously

Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously

Author: Jeremy A. Evans

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Published: 2011-10-01

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 1433673657

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The Death Penalty, Environmentalism, Public Reason, Voting, Abortion. Where does Christian faith belong in discussions about these issues? In Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously, editor Jeremy A. Evans establishes that separation of church and state is not a principle of the United States Constitution (or any other founding document). Thus, there should be a social interest in not hindering any religious person’s full participation in the American marketplace of ideas. As such, Evans addresses readers from both the Christian and non-Christian communities through the related scholarship here, knowing either side’s failure to consider one’s well-prepared thoughts in science, politics, and education undermines the very idea of seeking the truth. Topics include: * The death penalty * John Rawls’ theory of public reason * Whether or not a non-voting stance is permissible for Christians * Religious disagreement and its impact on the justification of religious beliefs * How the current models of scientific explanation are not incompatible with religious beliefs * Creation care—what is our responsibility to the environment? * Are theologians and philosophers missing the point on the abortion problem? Acclaim for Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously: “This is a long-overdue book. Although there are scores of accessible books written by Christian philosophers addressing traditional topics, such as God’s existence, the problem of evil, and the miraculous, few have broached the areas of ethics, public reason and science while critically and respectfully engaging the most influential philosophers writing on these subjects. Professor Evans has managed to put together such a book. It is a model of clarity without sacrificing philosophical rigor. It is the sort of book that should be in the hands of any Christian desiring to engage the wider culture in an informed and thoughtful manner.” Francis J. Beckwith Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University “This text is a great place to get ‘up to speed on aspects of crucial issues that we too seldom ever hear being discussed in evangelical circles.” Gary R. Habermas Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University & Theological Seminary "Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously truly models what the title itself expresses--a serious-minded, Christianly engagement of important moral and cultural themes. Without exception, each contributor writes with scholarly rigor, insight, and creativity. This book well illustrates how practical, robust, and explanatorily rich the Christian faith is." Paul Copan Professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University