He Became Poor: The Poverty of Christ and Aquinas's Economic Teachings

Name: He Became Poor: The Poverty of Christ and Aquinas's Economic Teachings
Price: 25.65 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780802837486

By: Christopher A. Franks

Product Description

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A comprehensive theological treatment of Aquinas and economic theory. Drawing on the wisdom of the ancient philosopher, Franks challenges the modern economic tendency toward the "propietary self." As he reveals how the summons to become poor bestows a new intelligibility on formerly obscure teachings, he juxtaposes Aquinas with Aristotle, John Locke, and Alasdair MacIntyre.

Product Information

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Title: He Became Poor: The Poverty of Christ and Aquinas's Economic Teachings
By: Christopher A. Franks
Format: Paperback
Vendor: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Publication Date: 2009
Dimensions: 9.00 X 6.00 (inches)

Weight: 11 ounces
ISBN: 0802837484
ISBN-13: 9780802837486
Series: Eerdmans Ekklesia
Stock No: WW837486

Publisher's Description

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Drawing deeply on the views of Thomas Aquinas, He Became Poor challenges the modern economic tendency toward the "proprietary self" and calls for a renewed appreciation of the virtues of trusting receptivity and humble awareness of our membership in a larger benevolent 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.

This book makes a provocative case for taking Aquinas's thoughts on economics more seriously and illustrates how the very market conditions of the modern world cloud any attempt to fully understand Aquinas. Franks offers a convincing argument that questioning market-formed assumptions can actually help us recover the evangelical character of Aquinas's ethics.

Author Bio

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Christopher A. Franks is assistant professor of religion atHigh Point University, High Point, North Carolina. He isthe author of several articles in Journal ofReligion and Modern Theology; this is hisfirst book.

Author Bio

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

Publisher Description

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Christopher Franks here retrieves old wisdom from Aquinass argument about just price and usury by examining them in light of his writings on Dominican mendicancy. From this unique perspective, Franks displays the teleological priority of the evangelical counsels in Aquinass thought and reveals how the summons to become poor bestows a new intelligibility on formerly obscure economic teachings.

He Became Poor challenges the modern economic tendency towards 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. Franks also juxtaposes Aquinass teachings with those of Aristotle, John Locke, and Alasdair MacIntyre.

This book not only makes a provocative case for taking Aquinass 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 Aquinass ethics. Though certainly a book for scholars, it will also find a place on the shelves of others interested in new perspectives on both Aquinas and economic theory.

Editorial Reviews

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Reinhard Hütter,
— Duke Divinity School
"With a style as lucid as it is engaging, Christopher Franks probes by way of an astute interpretation of Aquinas's economic teachings an old revolutionary proposal — Christian poverty. This Christ-configured 'economics' is surpassingly relevant as global capitalism is faced with a cataclysmic collapse. The greatest praise I can give this book is that its author has learned much from Dominicans past and present — not least from Thomas Aquinas — so much indeed that He Became Poor is suffused with the true spirit of Dominican poverty. We have much to learn from this important work."