Dedication
This book makes a wonderful case that the conceptual frameworks developed by theologians over the centuries can fruitfully broaden and enrich the conceptual and analytical frameworks of economists, business leaders and other leaders of society. It provides an innovative vision of the possibilities that the interaction between theology and economics offers for deepening our understanding of the phenomenon of humanity.
JAN PETER BALKENENDE, Professor of Governance, Institutions & Internationalisation’, Erasmus University Rotterdam; Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010
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As an economist (and a catholic) I find Paul van Geest’s book impressive and convincing in emphasizing the indispensable relationships between theology and economy.
ONNO RUDING, former Minister of Finance of The Netherlands from 1982 to 1989, Chairman of the Christian Employers’ association (NCW), COO of Citibank Europe; corporate director and non-profit director on several supervisory boards (Centre for European Policy Studies, NIBC Bank and the Tinbergen Institute)
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In this beautiful and well-crafted book, the leading scholar Paul van Geest guides the reader through a journey to bring economics and theology as scientific disciplines back together. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in progress in economic analysis.
PHILIP HANS FRANSES, Professor of Applied Econometrics and Marketing Research at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, Dean of the Erasmus School of Economics from 2011-2020
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LANS BOVENBERG, Professor of Economics at the Tilburg University and Erasmus University Rotterdam. He was awarded the Spinoza Prize in 2003
Paul van Geest wrote this thought-provoking book at an opportune time. In part due to the rise of behavioral economics, economists are searching for a richer anthropology of their discipline. The rich treasure trove of ideas from this book should give economists plenty of inspiration.
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In his book Paul van Geest invites, in a very well thought-out and original way, economists to enrich their own perspectives and assumptions with insights from the history of theology. He offers theologians insights from economics that can enrich their discourse on the sacred. His approach brings together the sacred and the profane. It is inspiring and should stimulate others to follow suit.
DEIRDRE NANSEN MCCLOSKEY, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Economics and of History, and Professor Emerita of English and of Communication at the University of Illinois at Chicago
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This impressive book by Paul van Geest is an important contribution in the search of a dialogue between Economics and Theology. Economics, in fact, needs theology for understanding its origins, its classics (from Smith to Wicksteed), its failures; but theology also needs economics, in particular behavioral economics which is offers empirical bases of and new lights to some classical concepts of theology, i.e. trust, reciprocity, love.
LUIGINO BRUNI, Professor of Economics at Lumsa University, Rome
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