Clarke, Anthea (2015) Faith, hope and the love of money: ethics, economics and the creation of crisis. MTh(R) thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/6521/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/
[email protected] ANTHEA CLARKE FAITH, HOPE AND THE LOVE OF MONEY ETHICS, ECONOMICS AND THE CREATION OF CRISIS MASTER OF THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW March, 2015. © 1 ABSTRACT This thesis suggests an imbalance between the theological, eschatological mission of the Church and its current investment and use of capital resources. Some of the invested funds clearly involve unethical enterprises. Investigations into this statement are based on biblical principles and historical examples and progress through time to consider diverse influences involving the Church and its money. The aim of my thesis is to assess the impact of Church investments within a world of economics that encourages the accumulation of wealth yet often ignores the consequences for the Church and their effect upon the world. I begin my research by examining the principles for financial relationships and systems as established within the Bible.