Theological Roots of Economics

This chapter explores the historical connections between the founding of the American Economic Association and Protestant clergy, revealing the significant influence of religious figures on early economic thought. It examines how Christianity shaped the ideas of key economic thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume, despite their personal beliefs. The discussion highlights the intertwining of theology and economics during the Scottish Enlightenment, illustrating the profound impact of the social gospel movement on the emergence of economics as a discipline.