Wisdom-Based Business: Applying Biblical Principle and Evidence-Based Research for a Purposeful and Profitable Business

Reviewed by:

Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

Wisdom-Based Business: Applying Biblical Principle and Evidence-Based Research for a Purposeful and Profitable Business

Author:

Hannah J. Stolze (Foreword by C. William Pollard)

Publisher:

Zondervan Academic

Publication Date:

April 13, 2021

Format:

Hardcover

Length:

272 pages

OVERVIEW

We know that Christians are called to model good behavior, and that has clear implications for conducting business. Theft is bad. Lying and fraud are bad. But what about the calling to do things wisely? How do we apply that business… especially when the answers may lie in how we understand business, not just how we do it? Hannah J. Stolze argues that in fact, the Bible does have some important things to say about how we do business. Biblical ideas about business are particularly found:

• In Jesus’ example of servant leadership
• In Proverbs’ teachings about using resources well

Stolze unpacks the applications in these and other passages, then she transitions into a contemporary overview of business practices. She examines companies like ServiceMaster, Yili Group, Trader Joe’s, and Chipotle to see how each has lived out a particular value and what it gained from that practice.

There is an unfortunate tendency in many Christian living books to assume a piece of Scripture is talking about people just like the readers. This isn’t to say that the Bible doesn’t have clear takeaways (“thou shalt not covet” is quite clear). But, as E. Randolph Richards and Richard James put it, “there are cultural gaps between the biblical world and our own” (Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes). Most of us won’t be able to understand all of those gaps (unless we have the time and resources to pursue PhDs in Ancient Near Eastern history). However, we can seek to understand the important gaps and the key background details that created the Bible’s contexts. Stolze delves deep into Jewish wisdom literature so readers can understand those gaps better, and see how passages like Proverbs 31 are about more than just “being a good spouse.”

Once Stolze has laid this foundation, she shows readers how to apply the ideas. She gives a meticulous overview of different business management theories and practices, showing step by step what happens when different theories are lived out. Non-academic readers will have to take things slowly to see the results Stolze points out, but it’s well worth the trip.

A fascinating, detailed look at doing business well for the Master.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars):

5 stars

Suggested Audience:

Researchers and business experts seeking a model for marketing, economics, and business practices that combines Biblical values with sustainable growth.

Christian Impact:

Stolze carefully unwraps the values inherent in Jewish wisdom literature, showing how Proverbs 31 is about far more than we think.

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