How does the biblical metanarrative of creation, sin, and restoration shape how we invest?
Biblical Worldview and Investing by Michael Goheen
"A recent statistic compares the percentage of investment dollars unbelievers put toward “ethical investment products” with the percentage of investment dollars Christians put toward “faith-based investment products.” The numbers signal a troubling reality. Unbelievers invest 18% of their investment dollars in products that line up with their ethical commitments while believers invest just 0.2% of their investment capital in products specifically designed to align with their Christian commitment.1While this statistic does not tell the whole story, it clearly indicates that something is awry. Unbelievers seem far more likely than Jesus’ followers to make the connection between their ethical convictions and their investment practices. Perhaps even more troubling, when confronted with this insight, some Christian investors are unperturbed. Seeing little reference to investing in the Bible, they feel no need to connect their faith with their investing choices.
What’s Going On?
At its heart, the problem is these investors’ failure to grasp and embody a robust, biblical worldview. The terminology of “worldview” was borrowed from German philosophy just over one hundred years ago. Essentially, a worldview is a grand narrative about existence, seeking to answer the foundational questions of the world, history and human existence that give meaning to our whole lives. A genuinely biblical worldview rejects a reductionist understanding of faith that does not embody the comprehensive breadth of Scripture. It resists the Enlightenment-influenced proclivity to relegate faith to a private realm. It celebrates Jesus Christ’s claim over every square inch and every split second by right of creation and restoration. It offers an articulation of the scriptural faith that can shape our involvement in public life – and that includes investing..." from the article: Biblical Worldview and Investing
"Michael W. Goheen (Ph.D. Utrecht) is professor of missional theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI and at the Missional Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. He is also director of Missional Training Center, an extension site of Calvin. He also trains leaders in Brazil and Chile. Previously he taught at Dordt University, Redeemer University, Trinity Western University and Regent College. He has taught and published in the areas of biblical theology, worldview, theology, and mission. He has authored, coauthored, or edited fifteen books. He is married to Marnie for 45 years and they have four married children together and eleven grandchildren." from the website: Eventide Center for Faith and Investing
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