A confrontation of economic and theological approaches to “ending poverty” in Africa

Abstract

We seek to assess the adequacy of an “economic” as opposed to a “Christian” worldview in confronting one of the major challenges to the world, namely the chronic nature of absolute poverty in much of Africa. Our study comprises, first, an overview and contrast of the two approaches in general terms and, second, a critical examination of economist Jeffrey Sachs’ The End of Poverty (which undergoes a theological critique) and theologian Ronald Sider’s Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (which is subjected to economic criticism). Overall, we find that economic analyses rely on an excessively narrow view of human motivation, which may vitiate secular attempts to aid development. A blend of Biblical understanding and economic insight is needed for a genuine transformation of the lives of the poor to take place.