Trade videos
Webinars: Preaching Biblical Texts that Speak to Trade
Scripture has plenty to say about trade and its impact upon society. What do trade practices mean for the poorest? Does too much financial power reduce our dependency on God? And maybe that first transaction between Eve and the serpent shows us the consequences of what a bad trade may do? In this series of webinars, three theologians offer us expertise in listening to what biblical texts say to us now.
Atle Sommerfeldt
Hear Bishop Atle Sommerfeldt’s exegesis of biblical texts that speak directly to trade issues, from Ezekiel and Amos to broader New Testament themes.
Jim Childs/Dann Finn
Lutheran ethicist Jim Childs takes a look at contemporary greed in light of Christian principles; Catholic economist Dan Finn lays out basic economic tenets and applies a Christian critique.
Teresa Stricklen
Teresa Stricklen, Ph.D., lays out sermon strategies for first-time preachers who are tackling biblical texts that speak to trade through the lenses of the prophets and the Gospels.
Sam Adams
Biblical scholar Samuel L. Adams talks about how trade emerges in the Hebrew texts and how the prophets spoke about the morality of trade. Adams’ analysis helps Presbyterians understand that the ethics of trade is an issue debated in Biblical writings, just as it is now. You can use these videos in Sunday School classes, in sermon preparation and in personal study as you prepare for public witness.
He also explores other questions:
- What do the prophets say about trade?
Watch │ Download - Do people of faith have concerns about trade that are different from general economic concerns?
Watch │ Download - Is the primary concern of the prophets the poor?
Watch │ Download
Don McKim
What does the Reformed tradition say about greed?│Download
Reformed scholar Don McKim talks about Calvin’s understanding of greed in our personal and public lives, a key theological concept for fairness in trade policy. McKim’s analysis will help Presbyterians to witness in the public forum and speak theologically on trade issues. You can use these videos in Sunday School classes, as preparation for a legislative visit, or as opening conversation for further study of his latest book, A "Down and Dirty" Guide to Theology.
He also explores the following question:
How does greed apply to our corporate lives beyond personal sin?│Download
David Jensen
Hear what Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary scholar David Jensen says about how the Reformed tradition gives us simple principles to evaluate a complex subject like trade.
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He also explores other questions:
- Was Calvin a capitalist?
Watch │ Download - What does the Reformed tradition says about business and trade?
Watch │ Download - Do we have faith concerns about trade relationships as they relate to fair economic outcomes?
Watch │ Download
Use Jensen's comments here for Sunday School discussion, as preparation for legislative visits, or, as opening conversation for further study of his book, Responsive Labor: A Theology of Work, about our work, faith and life. Keep checking our site to hear other Reformed scholars speak, as well as professors of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Our next guest is Dr. Donald K. McKim, executive editor for Theology and Reference for the Westminster John Knox Press. McKim will address how Calvin understood greed in our personal and business lives
