What Would Calvin Say? Responsible Stewardship in the Face of Today’s Ecological and Financial Crises

To mark the Quincentenary of the birth of John Calvin (10 July 1509), the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is dedicating the 2009 Lombard Prize to the early church Reformer.

If pantheist Baruch Spinoza was the “God-intoxicated philosopher”, then John Calvin might well qualify as the “creation-intoxicated theologian”. He taught that the magnificent works of creation are the original vehicles of the revelation of the divine glory and perfection. Despite the damage created by human sin, these works still shine as the theatre of God’s glory. What lessons might be drawn from Calvin’s high regard for the splendour of God’s gifts in creation to guide our response to the ecological crisis facing the earth?

Calvin was the first theologian to defend and promote the lending of money at interest. Papal loyalists assailed him as an exemplar of the maxim that “usury is the brat of heresy” and later critics, beginning with Max Weber, pointed to him and his followers as progenitors of capitalism. But perhaps more measured assessments are called for since Calvin was motivated by the financial crisis of his own day. In particular, he saw the circulation of trade as one of the ways that a redistribution of goods occurs in a world of unequal distribution. He also recognized the need for credit to create new business enterprises in order both to produce goods and to provide employment for refugees and the poor. What lessons may be learned from Calvin about responsible financial stewardship in our day?

Theology students or pastors who are 35 years of age or younger who wish to engage in debate on those questions are invited to submit essays developing their ideas on the theme. For information on how to apply, see advertisement above.