Category Archives: research article

Arttu Mäkipää Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 27-43 AbstractThe vast majority of economists reject the relevance of theology for their discipline. This paper challenges that consensus. Theological anthropology sees human beings as simultaneously created in the image of God, but also as fallen (through original sin). I argue thatContinue reading “The Paradox of the Fall: the Economics of Genesis as the Genesis of Economics”

Masao Ogaki Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 97-108 AbstractIn years to come, the “community mechanism” will become increasingly important. This is a mechanism in which at least one person voluntarily offers cooperation and is not rejected. The community mechanism complements the workings of the market mechanism (a mechanism basedContinue reading “The Economics and Theology of the Community Mechanism”

Lans Bovenberg & Bas van Os Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 63-80 AbstractThe well-known prisoner’s dilemma shows why cooperation may be difficult to achieve even when cooperation would create value for all partners. In particular, material interests conflict because reciprocity cannot be enforced, while agents give priority to theirContinue reading “Faith and Love in the Prisoner’s Dilemma”

Lans Bovenberg & Bas van Os Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 81-95 AbstractThis paper discusses how hope and love help to facilitate cooperation in sequential games by removing conflicts of interests. Rationality combined with material self-love induces players to build institutions that ensure that interests run parallel by constrainingContinue reading “Hope and Love in Sequential Games”

J. Arie Biemond & Harry Commandeur Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 109-126 AbstractWestern thought has developed a view of human nature—which we call homo dignus—which focuses on human dignity as the core of human existence. Human dignity (related to human rationality and morality) entails a moral calling, on theContinue reading “Homo Dignus: A Dignified View of Human Nature for Economics?”

Joost Hengstmengel Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 5, no. 1 (2025): 9-25 AbstractHomo economicus has justly been identified as the universal bogeyman of economics. Economic man, having been showered with criticism for a century and a half, continues to occupy critics to this day. Plenty of economists in the previous century have proclaimedContinue reading “Homo Economicus Ergo Homo Peccatus?”

Rafael Galvão de Almeida Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 4 (2024): 78-94 AbstractThis article explores J. A. Hobson’s writings on religion. Hobson had an economic methodology focused on an organic view of society, treating it like a living being. Imperialism, promoted by the government, the press, and religion acts like a parasitic ideology,Continue reading “The Heretic Preacher vs. Mammon: J. A. Hobson on Economics and Religion”

Rowlando Morgan Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 4 (2024): 60-77 AbstractThis paper explores the role of the Sabbath as an economic institution and its relationship with the concept of debt. The Sabbath’s function is explored, both as a special day of abstinence from work, as well as a wider symbol of social liberation.Continue reading “The Economic Meaning of the Sabbath and a Geometric Model of Debt”

Dallin Overstreet Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 4 (2024): 40-58 AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between Mormon temples and county-level poverty rates in the United States. The Mormon church teaches that obedience to the law of tithing, which requires members to donate 10% of their income, can break the cycle of poverty. UsingContinue reading “The Elusive Economic Blessings of Tithing: Mormon Temples and County Poverty”

Dylan Pahman Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion, vol. 4, no. 1 (2024): 18-39 AbstractThis paper seeks to recast the English Christian socialist F. D. Maurice as a sort of “English Kuyper,” arguing that his sometimes-puzzling relationship to the first wave of English Christian socialism can be clarified by understanding all of his thought andContinue reading “The English Kuyper and the Dutch Maurice”