Jeffrey L. Callen Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 6 (2026): #-# AbstractThe Joseph Story at the end of Genesis provides unusual detail of an economic nature beyond the biblical norm. This study analyzes the economics underlying the Joseph Story from a Coasian property rights/transaction cost perspective, with a focus on the potential benefitsContinue reading “The Economics of the Joseph Story: A Coasian Transaction Cost Analysis”
Category Archives: research article
Disestablishing the New Established Church: Applying Lessons from Religious Deregulation to Government Schools
Feler Bose & Alyssa Luebbering Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 6 (2026): #-# AbstractInvestigating the similarities between the establishment of churches and schools, this paper considers the potential consequences of disestablishing schools. By drawing on the historical disestablishment of churches that resulted in competitive religious markets, the paper aims to provide insights intoContinue reading “Disestablishing the New Established Church: Applying Lessons from Religious Deregulation to Government Schools”
Kinds of Competition: Zeal, Envy, and Discord in Economic Life
John-Mark L. Miravalle Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 6 (2026): #-# AbstractDiscussions surrounding the ethics of market competition—particularly those involving representations of Christian morality—are often confused due to a lack of rigorous distinction between different kinds of competition. This paper makes use of Aquinas’ notions of zeal, envy, and discord to identify severalContinue reading “Kinds of Competition: Zeal, Envy, and Discord in Economic Life”
Conceptualizing and Enhancing Human Flourishing: A Dialogue Between Economic, Psychological, Philosophical, and Theological Approaches
Wilco de Vries, Lans Bovenberg & Johan Graafland Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 6 (2026): #-# AbstractTo help public policy enhance human flourishing at the societal level, this article seeks to improve interdisciplinary understanding of human flourishing. Four disciplinary approaches are discussed: first, the economic revealed-preference approach to welfare; second, the psychological approachContinue reading “Conceptualizing and Enhancing Human Flourishing: A Dialogue Between Economic, Psychological, Philosophical, and Theological Approaches”
Patristic Perspectives on Wealth and Inequality: Theological Economics in the Writings of Clement of Alexandria and Basil the Great
Robert C. Tatum Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 6 (2026): #-# AbstractThis study examines the intersection of theology and economics through Patristic interpretations of economic inequality, focusing on the scriptural account of the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30). It contrasts the perspectives of two early Church Fathers: ClementContinue reading “Patristic Perspectives on Wealth and Inequality: Theological Economics in the Writings of Clement of Alexandria and Basil the Great”
Market Economy Without Egocentric Deviance: A Theology of Excellence Instead of Competition
Michaël Gonin Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 2 (2025): 205-225 AbstractFor most scholars and practitioners, a market economy is, fundamentally, an economy of competition. Yet competition is a concept with a diversity of meanings and uses in economics, management, and theology. In this paper I argue that while the Christian worldviewContinue reading “Market Economy Without Egocentric Deviance: A Theology of Excellence Instead of Competition”
Introduction to the Special Issue
Gordon Menzies, Arttu Mäkipää, & Steven C. van den Heuvel Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 1-8 Publication historyFirst view: 14 May 2025Published: 20 May 2025 1. Introducing the theme How does economics contribute to human flourishing? Economics can be understood either as an applied set of policy tools orContinue reading “Introduction to the Special Issue”
An Anselmian Case Against Libertarian Paternalism
Xavier Meulders Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 157-71 AbstractLibertarian paternalism is “the set of interventions aimed at overcoming the unavoidable cognitive biases and decisional inadequacies of an individual by exploiting them in such a way as to influence her decisions (in an easily reversible manner) towards choices that sheContinue reading “An Anselmian Case Against Libertarian Paternalism”
Towards a Metaphysics of Usury
Michaël Bauwens Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 173-188 AbstractThis paper charitably develops a possible metaphysical argument against usury, as a common ground on which theology and economics can consider the issue. The metaphysical framework is derived from Anselm’s Augustinian-Platonist metaphysics of participation whereby all goods are good through theContinue reading “Towards a Metaphysics of Usury”
Path Dependency, Stewardship and Human Flourishing: An Economic Exploration
Pim Boven Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 127-140 AbstractCan theologians, philosophers and economists have a fruitful conversation about human flourishing? In practice, that does not appear to be so easy. Nevertheless, I believe it is worthwhile to bring knowledge from different disciplines into conversation. In doing so, I chooseContinue reading “Path Dependency, Stewardship and Human Flourishing: An Economic Exploration”