Oikonomia Network

Note: This article describes one of the ON’s Economic Wisdom Project Talks, designed to be used as class assignments. At the inaugural Karam Forum, Bruce Fields of Trinity International University shared the story of Reverend Leslie – a man who worked hard, was extremely generous and held biblical convictions. After working as a janitor for most of his […]

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from Amy Sherman’s chapter in the Oikonomia Network’s new minibook, Economic Wisdom for Churches: A Primer on Stewardship, Poverty and Flourishing. In it, Sherman discusses the relational dimensions of flourishing and its meaning for the work of the church. The conversation in the Economic Wisdom for Churches will be sure […]

Karam Forum is a two-day gathering for theological educators and Christian academics. Leading Bible and theology scholars will help you train a new generation of Christians who follow King Jesus by loving their neighbors in their daily tasks. At Karam Forum 2018, join Andy Crouch, Mako Fujimura, Amy Sherman, Vincent Bacote, P.J. Hill, David Iglesias, […]

Traditional seminary ethics courses tend to focus on an introduction to the main schools of ethical thought and approaches to moral reasoning, combined with discussion of a few contentious moral issues. Topics discussed often include abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, sexual ethics, genetic engineering and war. While thought-provoking, these courses usually leave out the dilemmas people face […]

Note: Dean Blevins is an individual faculty partner in the Oikonomia Network. Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) has a heritage of vocation, flourishing and economic wisdom programs that will spark additional entrepreneurial efforts in the near future. NTS faculty have crafted courses based on themes of vocational discipleship, discernment in the workplace, preaching workplace faith and […]

Note: This article spotlights the work of Paul Anderson, an individual faculty partner in the Oikonomia Network. See Part II of this series here.  Several years ago, Dan Kimball came out with a book entitled They Like Jesus But Not the Church. While American culture has grown less impressed with institutions, people still report profound […]

Note: This article describes one of the ON’s Economic Wisdom Project Talks, designed to be used as class assignments. At the inaugural Karam Forum, Celeste Cranston of Seattle Pacific University spoke on the Parable of the Two Sons (often known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son), drawing out how the narrative connects our attitude about work with […]

Note: This article describes one of the ON’s Economic Wisdom Project Talks, designed to be used as class assignments. At the 2017 Karam Forum, Constantine Campbell of Trinity International University spoke on the tensions of Christian identity in the modern world. Followers of Christ are to be “chosen sojourners,” an identity of both great power and great […]

Here are more sample assignments to help inspire fresh thinking about how to incorporate a concern for vocation, flourishing and economic justice across the curriculum. Preaching Ask students to prepare a topical, a narrative and an expository sermon on a passage focusing on work and vocation. Possible scripture passages include: Genesis 1 and 2 Exodus […]

Note: This article, an excerpt from Giving It All Away…And Getting It Back Again (Zondervan), is the latest in a series highlighting resources for classrooms and churches. See more resources at the book website. What I’ve Learned That’s Most Important I love British cricketer and missionary C. T. Stud’s poem “Only One Life.” The one line […]

The Office of Faith, Work and Economics (OFWE) at Asbury Theological Seminary is one office with a single mission operating across three campus contexts. The OFWE has seen significant development and growth with major faith and work program initiatives at our Kentucky and Florida campuses, including our Memphis extension site and online students. Our expansion […]

Over the last four years, we have brought in scholars and experts in connecting faith, flourishing and the economy to speak in chapel services and workshops. These guests have included Tim Keller, Os Guinness, Russell Moore, Wayne Grudem and Scott Rae. Keller drew from his book Every Good Endeavor, contending that the gospel gives believers […]

Note: This article describes one of the ON’s Economic Wisdom Project Talks, designed to be used as class assignments. At the inaugural Karam Forum, Vincent Bacote of Wheaton College spoke on how Christians can live as faithful disciples in a pluralistic and divided world. This teaching tool is ideal for students to view and discuss in classes such […]

Jay Moon of Asbury Theological Seminary opened a session at the inaugural Karam Forum with provocative comments on cultural change, communal beliefs and the economics of technology. Using a perplexus ball, Moon describes the “functional integration of a culture” and how social relationships, beliefs and economics/technology are inextricably connected. A change in one portion of […]

Here are more sample assignments to help inspire fresh thinking about how to incorporate a concern for vocation, flourishing and economic justice across the curriculum. As in my last article – which covered biblical studies, theology, preaching and liturgy – several of these ideas were adapted from the Theology of Work Project article “TOW For […]