Reading the Text / Reading the World

Capitalism and the Economics of Enough

Monday March 31, 2008
7:00 – 9:20 pm

Grandview Calvary Baptist Church
1803 East 1st Avenue
Vancouver

Capitalism is the dominant ideology of our age. The market economy has brought enormous benefits in wealth creation and rising living standards for millions throughout the world, but how is capitalism related to social (in)justice? How does capitalism manufacture the materialistic and consumerist orientation of our desires in the modern world, and in what ways does it encourage imperialist enterprises?

Leading us into these issues will be Paul Williams, Associate Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership at Regent College and Executive Director of the College's Marketplace Institute. Paul also works as a Director and Economic Advisor to DTZ plc, a multinational real estate consulting and investment banking group headquartered in London UK where he previously worked as Chief Economist and Head of International Research. As well as advising global corporations and investors, he has undertaken substantial work for government departments and agencies, particularly concerning policy for economic development and urban regeneration and renewal.

Dave Diewert will offer some reflections on the biblical notion of the “economics of enough,” drawing from the traditions of the Hebrew scriptures and the Gospel narratives.