Theologies of Poverty & Development

This course introduces participants to a range of historical and contemporary theologies of poverty and development, located among local and global community movements, faith-based groups, and church institutions of the global South and North. The social science, theory and practice of community development are integrated with theological analysis and reflection on questions of divine presence in the spaces of poverty, justice and transformation. The course focuses especially on: 1. Poverty, development and justice In the Bible 2. Poverty, development and justice in church history 3. The apologies and confessions of the church 4. Toxic charity 5. Indigenous perspectives on poverty and development 6. Poverty, power and policy: the church as advocate 7. Faith-based NGOs 8. Contemporary church theologies of development 9. Evangelical perspectives on poverty and development: integral mission 10. Roman Catholic perspectives on poverty and development 11. Multi-faith approaches to poverty and development 12. The religion and development dialogue 13. Creation care, poverty and development 14. Ethical and spiritual issues for development practitioners