He Became Poor

by Franks, Christopher A.

• ISBN13: 9780802837486
• ISBN10: 0802837484
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-15
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co

Summary

The only comprehensive theological treatment of Aquinas and economic theory. / Drawing on the views of Thomas Aquinas, this book challenges the modern economic tendency toward the "proprietary self" and calls for a renewed and timely appreciation of the virtues of trusting receptivity and humble awareness of our membership in a larger order. Christopher Franks reveals how the summons to become poor bestows a new intelligibility on formerly obscure economic teachings. In the course of his discussion Franks juxtaposes Aquinas with Aristotle, John Locke, and Alasdair MacIntyre. / He Became Poor not only makes a provocative case for taking Aquinas's thoughts on economics more seriously, but also illustrates how the very market conditions of the modern world cloud any attempt to fully understand Aquinas. Franks proffers a convincing argument that questioning market-formed assumptions can actually help us recover the evangelical character of Aquinas's ethics.

Author Biography

Christopher A. Franks is assistant professor of religion at High Point University, High Point, North Carolina. He is the author of several articles in Journal of Religion and Modern Theology: this is his first book.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. vi
Abbreviations	p. viii
Introduction: Mendicancy as a Key to Thomas's Economic Teaching	p. 1
Aristotelian Deference and Nonmarket Society	p. 35
Usury, Just Price, and Natural Order	p. 67
Ontological Poverty and the Priority of the Counsels	p. 105
Mendicant Poverty and Following Christ	p. 132
Christ's Poverty and the Completion of Nature	p. 158
Conclusion: Humble Vulnerability and Market Society	p. 182
Bibliography	p. 192
Index	p. 203
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