Credit and Faith

This book offers a genealogical account of the origins of the modern economy out of Christian life and practice.

In line with the development of political theology and economic theology in contemporary European thought, Credit and Faith offers a critical account of the faith structures within economic life and institutions. Goodchild’s ground-breaking work provides a philosophical appropriation of the economic dimension of the New Testament and fresh theological, philosophical and economic perspectives on the present.Covering the theological roots of the way economic life was, and is, articulated, the philosophical roots of value and debt and the economic roots of credit and creation, this book charts the emergence of early theories of capital and banking through a consideration of credit. It draws on some neglected historical figures, as well as Jules Lagneau, Simone Weil, the Kantian problem of freedom and necessity and a critical reading of the early Marx and of Nietzsche’s genealogy; through this Goodchild explains how the Financial Revolution was able to conceal the credit economy which was its foundation and foster the pursuit of self-interest instead of the common good.This innovative interweaving of theology, philosophy and economics constructs a new metaphysical framework for a critical account of the faith structures within economic life and institutions and returns to the practice of philosophy as a way of life – a practical, engaged, worldy discipline.