Updated - 10th Nov. 1996 - modifed layout, April 1998

A Good Read

Christian books on business and economics

- selections from the project bookshelves -

"The Christian in Industrial Society" - Sir Fred Catherwood - 3rd edn, Inter-Varsity Press, 1980 (ISBN 0-85111-317-6)

This is the classic of the past thirty years. It was this book which, when published in 1964, first introduced me to this field of thought and work. At that time its author was Industrial Adviser to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, having been Chief Executive of Costain and British Aluminium. Subsequently, among many high appointments he was Director General of the National Economic Development Council, Chairman of the British Institute of Management, and Vice-President of the European Parliament. Throughout all these long years he has reflected on the relationships between his business and political life and his profound Christian faith. He is currently President of the Evangelical Alliance. Sir Fred's reflections on his life at the centre of developments in British and European economic life during the second half of the 20th century are now recorded in his autobiography:

"At the Cutting Edge" Sir Fred Catherwood Hodder & Stoughton, 1995 (ISBN 0 340 64246 7)

"Morality and the Market Place: Christian alternatives to capitalism and socialism"

Brian Griffiths - Hodder & Stoughton, 1982 (ISBN 0 340 26354 7)

"The Creation of Wealth" - Brian Griffiths - Hodder & Stoughton, 1984 (ISBN 0 340 35543 3)

"Economics Today: A Christian Critique" - Donald Hay - Inter-Varsity Press, 1989 (ISBN 0 85110 797 4)

These two authors take very different positions on many aspects of economic theory and practice, but share the Christian faith, illustrating for me that to a very substantial extent our Lord's commands relate to ends, whereas much of economic theory is about means. Equally devout followers of the same Saviour may have very different ideas as to the best practical route to take toward a just and truly prosperous society. Donald Hay is a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford. Brian Griffiths, now Lord Griffiths, is a former economic adviser to Margaret Thatcher and currently Chairman of a City of London bank.

"Called to Account: Adding Value in God's World" Richard Higginson Eagle, 1993 (ISBN 0 86347 074 2)
"Transforming Leadership - A Christian Approach to Management" Richard Higginson SPCK, 1996 (ISBN 0 281 04830 4)

These two excellent books flow from their author's work as director of the Ridley Hall Foundation, Cambridge. See our pages about Ridley for more on the Foundation and its activities.

"Biblical Principles and Business: The Foundations" - Editor, Richard Chewning - NavPress, 1989 (ISBN 0 08910-9556X)

"Biblical Principles and Business: The Practice" - Editor, Richard Chewning - NavPress, 1990 (ISBN 0 08910-9556X)

These two volumes, along with their companion pair on economics, form a remarkable collection of papers by leading American Christian academics and business practitioners. They should be at the heart of every thinking Christian's bookshelf on this subject. Little did I think when I first read them that just a few years later I would meet and work with Dick Chewning in Eastern Europe and again in the United States. It has been a privilege to do so. The Christian student of business is greatly in his debt. There is also an easier read:

"Business through the eyes of faith" - Richard Chewning, John Eby and Shirley Roels - UK edition: InterVarsity Press, 1990 (ISBN 0 85111 429 6)

"Work & Leisure in Christian Perspective" - Leland Ryken - UK Edn, IVP, 1989 (ISBN 0 85110 683 8)

"To Live and Work: A theological interpretation" - Christian Schumacher - Marc Europe, 1987 (ISBN 0 947697 51 9)

"Work Well: Live Well - Rediscovering a Biblical View of Work" - David Westcott - Marshall Pickering, 1996 (ISBN 0 551 029714)

"The Soul of the Firm" - Bill Pollard Harper Business, 1996 (ISBN 0-310-20103-9)

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