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On Being Rich and Poor
Christianity in a Time of Economic Globalization

Jacques Ellul (Author), Willem H. Vanderburg (Edited and translated by)

9781442626263

Paperback / softback, published 21 April 2014

296 pages
22.3 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.44 kg

‘This is the second volume of a fascinating, fruitful project undertaken by Willem Vanderburg… It is certainly impressive, and among the many theological commentaries written by Ellul, one of the most winsome and accessible.’

- Brian Brock (European Journal of Theology, vol 26:02:2017)

One of the most original thinkers of the twentieth century, Jacques Ellul (1912–1994) was a French law professor, sociologist, lay theologian, and self-described “Christian anarchist.” Collecting Ellul’s lectures on the Bible, On Being Rich and Poor contains his prescient meditations on some of the most important theological questions of the modern age. In this volume, a follow-up to the Ellul lectures collected in On Freedom, Love, and Power, Ellul asks how it is that Christianity can justify abandoning the poorest, weakest, and most vulnerable members of society, depriving the next generation of a liveable future, and participating in an unprecedented wave of environmental destruction.

In these talks, Ellul observes that some of the harshest language in the Jewish and Christian Bibles is reserved for those who are rich and powerful, and thus able to bend others to their will. Through his analysis of the prophetic vision of Amos and the epistle of James, Ellul exposes the gap between the principles of Christian life and the practices of the modern world. Critiquing a world that values domination over collaboration, he offers an alternative path.

Transcribed from the original recordings and translated by Willem H. Vanderburg, a student and long-time colleague of Ellul’s, On Being Rich and Poor is an unprecedented look at how one of the twentieth century’s foremost thinkers grappled with some of today’s most challenging issues.

Translator’s Introduction

Part 1: Amos

Chapter 1: Introduction to Amos

Chapter 2: The Prophecies Against the Six Surrounding Nations

Chapter 3: The Prophecies Against Judah and Israel

The Prophecy Against Judah

The Prophecy Against Israel

Israel’s Punishment

Chapter 4: Intertwining Themes…

Overview

The Role of Prophecy

The Crimes

The Punishments

Chapter 5: God’s Pedagogy and the Evolving Revelation

Overview

The Five Scourges

God’s Pedagogy

God Awaits His People

Chapter 6: Justice and Related Themes

Overview

Justice

The Power of God

God’s Appeal

Chapter 7: The Five Visions

Overview

The Five Visions

Vision and the Word  

Chapter 8: Confronting the Religious Establishment, and the Silence of God

Overview

The Quarrel with the High Priest of Bethel

The Silence of God

Chapter 9: Reconciliation

Overview

Israel in History

Israel from an Eschatological Perspective

Part 2: The Letter of James

Chapter 10: Introduction to James

Chapter 11: Overview of the Christian Life

To All People

Life as a Test of Who We Are

Money as a Test

Beginning a New Life

The Word and the New Life

Chapter 12: The Other

Life without Religion?

Life as the Practice of Faith

Chapter 13: The Word

Our Words

Wisdom, Intelligence, Words and Lies

Chapter 14: Life in the World

What Is the World?

The World and Defilement

The World of Judgements and Planning

Chapter 15: To Whom or What do we Belong?

The World of the Rich

Divided Loyalties

Chapter 16: Our Christian Lives Together

Postscript: The Poverty and Riches of Jews and Christians

The Flesh, the Law and the Spirit

Gods Strategy

Love and Justice

Grafted Onto the Jewish Tree

Notes

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