Through the Eye of a Needle: Theological Conversations Over Political Economy. Edited by John Atherton and Hannah Skinner. Peterborough, UK: Epworth, 2007. xiv+274pp. 19.99 [pounds sterling] paper.
The Christian theological tradition has long had an uneasy relationship with the reality of wealth. The Gospels speak of unrighteous Mammon, Jesus exhorts followers to "give everything you have to the poor," and He praises the widow who gave her last two copper coins to the Temple. On the other hand, the parable of the talents should not be forgotten; nor should Jesus' criticism of Judas's suggestion that the perfume used to anoint his feet could have been sold and the money ...