A theology of economy of life towards a theology of sufficiency

Abstract

The problem investigated in this research is whether God s economy is an economy of newlinesufficiency or not. This problem emerges from an analysis of the Indian context, where the newlinesubaltern communities, that is, the women, the Dalits, the Tribals and the Adivasis, who are newlinecrushed under an oppressive hierarchical caste system. Therefore, the present research begins newlinewith this Indian context, employing an analytical-theological engagement with the economy of newlinelife in Scripture and the Christian traditions with a view to move towards a relevant contextual newlinetheology of the economy of life. The method employed in this study is analytical-theological, newlinepurely based on library research. newlineTaking the contextual reality of India as the starting point, grounded on the Bible, and drawing newlineinsights from the Christian traditions and Indian Christian reflections, we can outline some newlineelements of a relevant theology of the economy of God. The Scripture asserts that the absolute newlineownership of the earth and all in it belong to a just, compassionate and loving God. The creation newlineis a redemptive act in the Scripture. So also the call for the Church in the midst of the poor is to newlineliberate them from that which dehumanises, exploits, oppresses and dominates, to challenge all newlinethat goes against the will of God as sin, in order to make the poor a dignified creation of God. newlineThat is why there is Scriptural emphasis on redemption from sin for the accomplishment of the newlinefullness of life, that is, redemption from human selfishness and greed which lead to the newlinedeprivation of many. In line with this the prophets proclaimed the liberation of the poor and newlineChrist emphasised the liberation of the oppressed. Since the kenotic act of God, which is the newlinehumbling of God to the position of a lowly human being, is meant to liberate the poor from the newlineclutches of exploitation and oppression, kenosis can be seen as an economic act of God in newlinehistory. As the kenosis of God is an economic act of God to save humanity from its sin of greed newlineand accumulation,