Social and Economic

These essays on social and economic matters are the result of many factors. First, in the late sixties, I did extensive reading in the area of economics and political matters. At that time I was active in the anti-war movement. Upon my conversion to Christianity, I continued my reading, especially in seminary and in graduate school. My Ph.D. was written on Karl Barth, who by his life and teaching was a great Christian witnesses to social and economic justice. Among other things, he was the leading theologian of the Confessing Church Movement, that branch of the church that resisted Hitler. Finally, I have spent several years living in Central America, and wrote my doctoral dissertation on poverty, understood theologically, socially, and economically. As a Christian, I have been active in political and social matters, although my involvement has not been as effective as I might have wished.

The Essays
1. A Perspective on the Gulf War

An essay published in the local newspaper at the moment when the United States won the Gulf War and public euphoria was at its height.

2. Growing Up Underground

A review of the autobiography of Jane Alpert, a young woman active in the student movement of the sixties. The essay shows why the student movement could not resolve certain fundamental problems due to a belief system lacking transcendence. At the same time, however, aspects of the student movement reflect an important word for the Church and world.

3. Christ Crucified

Jesus Christ is being crucified daily as the poor are exploited throughout the world.

4. Scripture and Economics

Describes aspects of economics in light of the biblical revelation.

5. Society, Justice, and Sex

This essay, drawing on Normand Gottwald's important work, The Tribes of Yahweh, shows how the Hebrew idea of God was coordinated with their social and economic vision of a just society.

6. Church and State

Describes how church and state differ, and draws some conclusions from the difference

7. Creation, Science, and the "New" World Order

Discusses the relevance of the two creation narratives of Genesis one and two for the new world order.

8. We Have no King but Caesar

Shows that the arms race entails some spiritual dynamics, namely the idolatry of using the state as justification rather than seeking justification in Jesus Christ.

9. Capitalism and Paganism

An essay showing the intimate connection between capitalism and paganism.

10. The Culture War

An essay showing that the conservative side of the culture war is only half the picture, and that the liberal/conservative conflict obscures the fullness of the biblical revelation and God's radical call to a new order in Jesus Christ.

11. Christ's Atonement and the Middle East Conflict

This essay relates Christ's atoning work on the cross to the conflict in Middle East. It rejects the position that contemporary events in the Middle East are the direct fulfillment of prophecy.

12. A Profound American Idolatry

Discusses a profound American idolatry and how it manifested itself in the selling of the war in Iraq to the American Public.

13. Soft Paganism

This essay gives an example of soft paganism, the actual religion of much of the American public, especially the affluent.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
rsanders.org@gmail.com

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