Work Out Your Salvation: a Theology of Markets and Moral Foundation

Reviewed by:

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

Title:

Work Out Your Salvation: a Theology of Markets and Moral Foundation

Author:

D. Glenn Butner Jr.

Publisher:

Fortress Press

http://fortresspress.com

Publication Date:

March 9, 2024

Format:

Hardcover

Length:

262 pages

Overview

We know as Christians the society we live in will inform our spiritual health. While many Christians limit this discussion to topics like religious liberty and criminal justice, the economy is also an important part of the conversation. What does buying fair trade products over mass-market goods say about our desire to see workers (even ones we will never meet) be treated well? Do we promote laws that limit economic regulations to produce the most financial opportunities for everyone, or do we push for economic controls and use the resulting money to aid people on the margins? Christians have debated these economic questions endlessly. But what does the research show? D. Glenn Butner Jr. answers that question by combining recent work on experimental economics with conversations about other disciplines. For example:

• Looking at how Christians have defined common grace, he considers whether certain market designs can promote moral flourishing
• Analyzing ideas by writers like James K.A. Smith (You Are What You Love), he considers how humans are ritual creatures who structure their lives around routine behaviors (everyday liturgies), Butner considers how to see economic markets as liturgies that shape us

Bringing these two discussions together, Butner considers whether it’s possible to produce economic markets that produce the best contexts for God’s common grace (grace for everyone, not just the church) to shine through.

Butner’s writing style is on the dense side, which means that it takes some work to finish the book and ponder the ideas he explores. That density may also present a bit of a problem for the impact he wants to have. In the conclusion, he outlines some applications and further research suggestions before saying, “I hope perhaps naively the arguments of this book inspire such study.” His point is that we overestimate how much a book can change the world. Still, one could argue that an opaque presentation style won’t help matters.

Granting the writing barrier means that only academics are likely to read this book, Butner has clever ideas and does raise questions that all Christian should consider. Does a market designed to create maximum utility necessarily produce good character? What happens if we apply the rituals-are-liturgies discussion to see how markets shape us every day, for good or ill? What is our responsibility as Christians to encourage behaviors like charity and sharing resources—not just because they are good for society but good for us, or good in themselves?

Butner makes an intelligent case that all Christians should care about these ideas: faith should influence not just how we spend money, but our big vision of what spending money is for.

A thought-provoking, rigorous discussion about how faith and commerce intersect, helping readers consider what it means that money shows what we value.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars):

Four stars

Suggested Audience:

Economists interested in how combining market design with recent economic studies, and also theological discussions about the Holy Spirit, can create a new way of talking about Christians and money.

Christian Impact:

Since Butner starts with the idea that Christians should care about how markets are designed and not just let the market sort itself out, his ideas will likely divide readers. American evangelical Christians who advocate for free market capitalism will probably find Butner’s ideas restrictive. European Christians preferring some economic controls will probably wish he had taken his ideas further (Christian socialism, for example). However, Butner does not advocate for a view that fits particularly with any particular political or national camp. What he does do is ask the deeper question every Christian should pursue: not what is most efficient, but what produces the best spiritual development?

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