How can economic and theological approaches be better integrated for the sake of the common good and human flourishing? These conversations are hard – with many examples of misunderstanding, acrimony, and poor-quality work. More is involved than the usual intellectual and incentive problems of interdisciplinary research, for conversations between other sciences and theology have been more fruitful.
I argue that part of the problem is that economists typically analyse systems while theologians typically focus on the ethics of personal relationships. The inflation and government debt problems that most Western countries are currently facing illustrate the individual vs. system ethics dilemma. Lenin is supposed to have suggested that “the best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency,” which is done by printing money, which destroys its usefulness as a medium of exchange and store of value. While there are individual ethical failures involved in debauching a currency, addressing the problem requires a system perspective – understanding credit creation and monetary economics.
I sketch a theology of market systems that draws on Adam Smith’s writings on markets and divine providence. If we can better integrate economic and theological approaches to problems such as inflation and debt, this has much to contribute to the common good and human flourishing, especially as inflation most harms the powerless in society.
Prof. Oslington’s lecture will be followed by a response offered by Prof. Margaret Schabas (UBC).
The event will take place at the University Centre – Sage Catering & Lecture Hall (6331 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1) from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. As on previous occasions, we will host a pre-lecture reception featuring appetisers, charcuterie, and pastries from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. RSVP is recommended by emailing houstoncentre@regent-college.edu.
Paid parking is available near the Chan Centre in the Rose Garden Parkade (6278 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC).
In addition, the lecture will be recorded and subsequently posted on our YouTube channel and on the Recorded Lectures section of our website.
About the Speakers:
Paul Oslington is Professor of Economics and Theology at Alphacrucis University College in Sydney, Australia. He holds doctorates in both fields and has written extensively on their relationship, including the books Adam Smith as Theologian and Political Economy as Natural Theology: Smith, Malthus and their Followers. He is the editor of the Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Economics and is currently working on a history of economic thinking in the Christian tradition commissioned by Harvard University Press.
Margaret Schabas is Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia. She is renowned for her work on economics and the way in which this modern discipline drew upon – and impinged upon – other disciplines, notably mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. She has published widely on issues relating to the history of economics and, in particular, on the economic ideas of David Hume. She is the co-author of A Philosopher’s Economist: Hume and the Rise of Capitalism and author of The Natural Origins of Economics and A World Ruled by Number.
This event is co-sponsored by the MA in Leadership, Theology, and Society at Regent College.
Professor Oslington will be teaching the course "Faith, Work, and Economics" at Regent Summer School from June 29-July 3, 2026.