Description

The Christian tradition has always held an ambivalent position toward wealth. The Bible itself seems to condemn the rich and extol the poor, though Abraham, David, and Solomon were obviously very wealthy yet godly men. Recently, the “Prosperity Gospel” promoted in some Pentecostal Churches has argued that it is God’s will that all true believers should receive material blessings and that poverty is a curse. This lecture explores the biblical foundations of work and wealth creation in light of the history of the Church to find the proper balance between these competing ideas of the place of earthly riches in Christianity.

Short bio of the speaker

Glenn Sunshine is chair of the History department at Central Connecticut State University. He holds his Ph.D. in Renaissance and Reformation History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.A. Church History from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Professor Sunshine is also a content advisor for the “'Wide Angle’ Worldview Curriculum,” a project of the Wilberforce Forum and Purpose Driven Ministries, and a faculty member for the Centurions Program, part of the Wilberforce Forum. Professor Sunshine has published several books along with numerous articles and scholarly papers.