The Greek word "oikos," from which the word "economy" is derived, originally referred to the economy of the household. This premodern conception of the relationship between the household and the economy was "home economics" in the truest sense. In this book, one of a number of excellent titles from the Religion, Culture, and Family Project at the University of Chicago Divinity School, Max Stackhouse shows how the economic systems and ideologies that so profoundly influence family life are, in turn, shaped by theology.

The structural changes in our society as it has moved through its hunter-gatherer, agricultural, and industrialized phases have gone hand-in-hand with changes in our economy, ranging from capitalism, to socialism, to postindustrialism, to the new globalism. All of these changes have had a profound impact on the structure, purpose, and well-being of families. Perhaps the most coherent and comprehensive of the theological models that have sought to navigate these changing social, economic, and familial tides is the "covenant theology" that arose within the Calvinist Reformed tradition. That theology places the emphasis on choice and consent that characterizes so much classical and contemporary discourse within a framework of the interrelation of the "created orders" of church, state, and family.

In laying out this theological and economic theory of the family, Stackhouse touches on many of the most pressing issues in the family debate, such as the Protestant debate over homosexuality, the normative structure of sexuality, the impact of materialism and consumerism on the household, the libertarian reduction of individualistic rational-choice economic theory, the division of household labor, the impact of poverty and welfare on families and children, and the idea of covenant marriage and relationship. For those who follow American politics, Stackhouse's book is a particularly provocative integration of the liberal emphasis on economics and the conservative focus on the family. In the end, it is a timely study of the theological basis for our commitments to what Freud identified as the central features of personhood, namely, work and love.

This is a complete and thorough book accumulating the best philosophical and theological essays and monograms written about ethics in society and the workplace. The book takes on many points of view and schools of thought. The idea is not to judge the thoughts raised but simply to present the best thoughts of human nature on complex ethical issues.

Stackhouse has provided those interested in the Social Gospel with a powerful and very readable text. Mark Sheffield's bibliography is the most complete collection of Rauschenbusch's works that I've ever seen.

Ever wonder how the field of economics could produce such disparate voices, from interventionists such as John Maynard Keynes to the classical liberalism of Milton Friedman? Those looking for insights will do well to read Economics as Religion: From Samuelson to Chicago and Beyond by Robert H. Nelson, an economist at the University of Maryland.

As the book's subtitle suggests, Nelson takes the reader on tour of modern economic thought. Here he's done commendable job, providing a highly readable account of the major personalities. This book will appeal to historians as well as the informed non-specialist. Nelson ranges far and wide in his effort to explore the often unstated philosophical assumptions behind supposedly objective economic analysis. Of particular interest is Nelson's treatment of the rift between economists and environmentalists. He places the debate squarely (and rightly in my opinion) in religious terms. While this is not particularly original, he does a service by reinforcing the deep religious roots of modern American environmentalism.

Finally, in an increasingly small world, Nelson again hammers home a vital point regarding economic opportunity provided by free markets: Economic progress requires the creation of a "civil society" and the rule of law. Social and human capital must be both nurtured and sustained. Laws must reflect these norms and governments must enforce them fairly. Without these, human rights and the environment suffer.

In environments of rampant corruption and political instability, value creating institutions aren't sustained. Success comes when people are rewarded for creating value, not for transferring wealth via force or fraud. Political plunderers, not the market process, keeps countries poor.

This is a desperately important message at a time when many equivocate and ring their hands about the spread of Western democracy as, "a hegemonic discourse of Western cultural imperialism".

Pete Geddes is Program Director of the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE) and Gallatin Writers. Both are based in Bozeman, Montana.

This is a remarkable book... erudite, opinionated, original, and addressing a crucially important subject matter. Prof. Nelson covers a wide swath of recent economic thinking (that survey alone makes the book worthwhile), and contends that while economics wears the cloak of authority of science, it can more accurately be viewed as a secular religion. I had read one of his 1980s articles, and picked up the book on that basis - and became thoroughly engaged. If one measures success in terms of underlined sections, exclamation points and scribbled notes in the margins, then this one more than passes. I'm not an economist (or a theologian), but nonetheless found this to be a tremendously interesting read. I wanted more, and hope that his next book follows up on his closing point, about the cutting edge role of libertarians and environmentalists.

Prof. Robert Nelson argues that economics has become the modern religion, complete with a priesthood (economists), a sacred text (Samuelson's "Economics") and a plan of salvation, (material progress will solve the problem of mankind, including the problem of sin.) Over the top, you say? He makes a great case. Read this book and find out for yourself.
I am a professional economist myself. Nelson's arguments ring true in my experience in the profession. He argues that many of the controversies over economic policy are really controversies over views of the world. These world views are so fundamental, and deeply held, that they are unlikely to be dislodged by technique and data, no matter how rigorous. Nelson thinks we would have more fruitful policy discussions if we would quit pretending to be scientists, and face up to these fundamental questions. I have to agree with him.
I wish he had pointed out that economics is not doing a very good job being a religion. Material progress can not solve all the problems of the human race. We would all be better off, if we would admit that.

Adding Cross to Crown is a welcome evaluation of the political machinations around the man we know as Jesus. A more comprehensive though challenging book would be the wonderful "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. In "The Autobiography..." the political scene is central, rather an incidental, to the human personality and extensive training of Jesus. He is portrayed in terms that would be real enough for "Larry King Live". 'Adding Cross to Crown' addresses a different audience, but still unfortunately presents the 'Icon' of Christianity. Having said this, I immensly enjoyed this offering by Mark Knoll et al. and look forward to their next publication.