We are very excited to invite you to our upcoming breakfast seminar held on the 14th March 2015 from 830 – 1030am at ETF. Please find details of the breakfast seminar below
Economics from a Christian Perspective
Social scientists study humans in their relationships with other people. Indeed, man is a social being. Also the essence of our Triune God is fellowship. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit serve each other in trusting humility.
God has put certain patterns in human society that reflect His relational nature. In particular, we discuss three main principles involving three levels of economics: the micro, meso and macro levels. In doing so, the presentation aims to contribute to healing the fragmentation between economics and spiritual issues. The principles of the good life are the same in economics and the Christian faith. On the micro level, the key is to make rational decisions so that benefits exceed costs. On the meso level, the basic principle is to create value through relationships with gift exchange; together we can do more than alone: 1+1=3. On the macro level, interdependency rather than self-sufficiency based on the win-win principle is the key to prosperity and growth.
We consider the present opportunities for creating a more ‘holy’ economic system based on grace rather than law. The first step is to treasure the longings of people for happiness, significance, relationships and harmony. The second is to value and trust people and show mercy so that people can learn from their mistakes and relationships can be healed. Indeed, the main challenge is to find more risk-bearing capital so that economic relationships rely less on rigid, tradable debt contracts and more on gift exchange. Faith, hope and love instead of fear, control and judgment then govern our economy.
To register, please send an email to Peirong.lin@etf.edu by the 6th March 2014.
Our Presenter
Prof. Dr. A.L. Bovenberg (1958) is a noted Dutch economist. He is Professor of Economics at Tilburg University. He has social-economic expertise on a wide field. At this moment, his research focus is mainly government finance, pensions, aging and social security. He has also built up expertise in the field of environmental economics. He is married, with two children.
