Edward Elgar Publishing Economics and Religion (The International Library of Critical Writings in Economics series)

This two volume set critiques an oft neglected area of study. The readings on "Historical Relationships" highlight the divorce between economic analysis and theology that occurred very early in the development of the discipline, and which now seems impossible to bridge. A second selection of readings reflects the critique of economic analysis from a theological perspective that has been developed mainly in the last of the 20th century. Review ’Oslington provides an excellent introductory overview of the field that also discusses other relevant but excluded research. . . this is a valuable collection of papers that demonstrates that both studies of religious behaviour and the impact of religion have long preoccupied economists and, since the 1970s, are increasingly entering the mainstream with a fertile research agenda. . . these volumes provide a useful resource and it may not be too long before a third volume is required to keep pace with the explosion of research in the field.’ -- Ian Smith, Economic Record ’Economics and Religion is a pioneering work aimed at collecting important contributions to the analysis of the interaction between religion, Christianity, and economics.’ -- Francis Woehrling, Faith & Economics’. . . both Paul Oslington and Edward Elgar Publishing are to be congratulated for producing such an excellent contribution to intellectual history, the history of economic thought, theology and religious studies. The relationships between economics and religion are highly relevant to serious students of the history of economic thought.’ -- James E. Alvey, History of Economics Review’Paul Oslington has made a valuable contribution to both the secular and religious fields. His volumes bring together a range of recent academic thinking about the relations between religion and economics as it has occurred in the past and exists currently. The selection is judicious and timely, encompassing particular viewpoints with pertinent criticisms of them, a hallmark of appropriate academic practice. The two volumes are likely to become a standard reference work for the field.’ -- Clive Beed, Economic Record’. . . a rich selection of work at the intersection of economics and religion. Paul Oslington, the editor, and Edward Elgar, the publisher, have done a real service in bringing this work together in one place.’ -- Andrew M. Yuengert, Journal of Markets and Morality’At some time or other, most thoughtful Christians will have wondered about the relationship between economics and theology. . . The collection of readings obtained in Paul Oslington’s Economics and Religion admirably covers many issues at the interface. . . The selection of material, some of which has been difficult to obtain, has drawn deserved praise from eminent scholars in Australia, the UK and the US.’ -- Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education’Anyone teaching a course on economics and Christian belief or wanting to have something to hand to which to point inquisitive students (and hopefully colleagues) may well want to recommend this collection to their librarian. . . A collection such as this is long overdue. . . Paul Oslington has gone out of his way to pull in some excellent but little read material. These volumes provide an excellent starting point for the academic or student setting out to understand the nature of the discourse between economics and theology. There was much in here with which I was not familiar and so it has been a welcome discovery.’ -- Andrew Henley, Association of Christian Economists Journal’Ever since Adam Smith, religion and economics have been interwoven. This unique collection takes the reader from Smith right up to the present day and provides a fascinating survey for experts and non-experts alike. Highly recommended.’ -- Kim Hawtrey, Macquarie University, Australia’Economists and calculators are beginning - just beginning - to acknowledge the transcendent. Economics and Religion i