Is God an economist? : an institutional economic reconstruction of the Old Testament

This book offers a radical new way of approaching the Old Testament. Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto argues that rational, institutional and constitutional economic lessons can be derived from the Old Testament, with applications to social conflict and resolution. The book suggests that this religious text also anticipated many modern economic advances. The Old Testament is one of the oldest and most influential documents in mankind's cultural heritage. For many centuries it has been regarded as a religious text full of symbolic and spiritual meaning but, more recently, a more secular debate has flourished regarding its rationale, purpose and relevance. Readers have long focused on its symbolism and moral and religious framework, but it can also be argued that it holds crucial social and economic lessons which can be applied in a rational way to modern society. This book offers a radical new exploration of the Old Testament, arguing that the text provides rational, institutional and constitutional economic guidance, with applications to issues of social conflict resolution and economic cooperation. Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto also suggests that the Old Testament anticipated several more recent advances in economic theory. This book offers a fascinating and insightful reading of the Old Testament, and highlights the relevance of the biblical text to economic, political and social issues in the 21st century The Old Testament is one of the oldest and most influential & nbsp;documents in mankind's cultural heritage. For many centuries it has been regarded as a religious text full of symbolic and spiritual meaning but, more recently, a more secular debate has flourished regarding its rationale, purpose and relevance. Readers have long focused on its symbolism and moral and religious framework, but it can also be argued that it holds crucial social and economic lessons which can be applied in a rational way to modern society. This book offers a radical new exploration of the Old Testament, arguing that the text provides rational, institutional and constitutional economic guidance, with applications to issues of social conflict resolution and economic cooperation. Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto also suggests that the Old Testament anticipated several more recent advances in economic theory. This book offers a fascinating and insightful reading of the Old Testament, and highlights the relevance of the biblical text to economic, political and social issues in the 21st century Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction....Pages 1-10 The Economic Approach to Reconstructing the Bible....Pages 11-44 The Eden Story and Dilemma Analysis — A Paradise Lost?....Pages 45-72 On the Genesis of the Wealth of Nations....Pages 73-139 On the Exodus of the Wealth of Nations....Pages 140-168 Institutional Ordering after the Exodus....Pages 169-202 Economic and Non-Economic Interpretations of God in the Old Testament....Pages 203-231 Conclusions and After thoughts on the Economic Reconstruction of the Old Testament....Pages 232-252 Back Matter....Pages 253-277 "Is God an Economist? gains a very special profile in the international debate on economics, theology and ethics ... Wagner-Tsukamoto's economic interpretation of the Old Testament is here a special treat since it clearly shows that the old dualism of economics and theology/philosophy, on which most ethics approaches are built, is historically and systematically not justified. This reveals some very significant progress in interdisciplinary debate."--Professor Dr Karl Homann, Head of the Chair, Philosophy and Economics, University of Munich, Germany