The Marketplace of Christianity
Title | The Marketplace of Christianity PDF eBook |
Author | Robert B. Ekelund, Jr. |
Publisher | MIT Press |
Total Pages | 367 |
Release | 2008-09-26 |
Genre | Religion |
ISBN | 0262262622 |
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
Title | Marketplace Christianity: Discovering the Kingdom Purpose of the Marketplace PDF eBook |
Author | Robert E. Fraser |
Publisher | Oasis House |
Total Pages | 178 |
Release | 2004-08-01 |
Genre | Business & Economics |
ISBN | 9780975390511 |
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.
Marketplace Christianity
Title | Marketplace Christianity PDF eBook |
Author | Robert Fraser |
Publisher | New Grid Books |
Total Pages | 119 |
Release | 2011-04 |
Genre | Religion |
ISBN | 0975390554 |
The Marketplace Christian
Title | The Marketplace Christian PDF eBook |
Author | Darren Shearer |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | |
Release | 2015-10-21 |
Genre | |
ISBN | 9781940024493 |
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.
Just Business
Title | Just Business PDF eBook |
Author | Alexander Hill |
Publisher | InterVarsity Press |
Total Pages | 277 |
Release | 2009-09-20 |
Genre | Business & Economics |
ISBN | 0830875913 |
"An ethical man is a Christian holding four aces." So said Mark Twain. But practicing Christians, at least, want to be ethical in all areas of life and work--not just when they are holding four aces. To those faced with the many questions and quandaries of doing business with integrity, Alexander Hill offers a place to begin. Alexander Hill carefully explores the foundational Christian concepts of holiness, justice and love. These keys to God's character, he argues, are also the keys to Christian business ethics. Hill then shows how some common responses to business ethics fall short of a fully Christian response. Finally, he turns to penetrating case studies on such pressing topics as employer-employee relations, discrimination and affirmative action, and environmental damage. This is an excellent introduction to business ethics for students and a bracing refresher for men and women already in the marketplace.
Selling God
Title | Selling God PDF eBook |
Author | Robert Laurence Moore |
Publisher | Oxford University Press, USA |
Total Pages | 329 |
Release | 1994 |
Genre | Religion |
ISBN | 0195098382 |
In a sweeping colourful history that spans over two centuries of American culture, Moore examines the role of religion in America as it appropriated (and was appropriated by) commercial culture. He reveals the centrality of religion, and the marketplace, in American popular culture.
Business for the Common Good
Title | Business for the Common Good PDF eBook |
Author | Kenman L. Wong |
Publisher | InterVarsity Press |
Total Pages | 290 |
Release | 2011-01-28 |
Genre | Business & Economics |
ISBN | 0830868410 |
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.