The Gottesdienst Crowd TGC 539 – On Usury
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Aug 20, 2025 Vincent Shemwell, a passionate pastor from Tennessee, dives into the complex topic of usury in this engaging discussion. He explores the historical and biblical views on lending at interest, tracing its transformation from prohibition to nuanced ethical practices. The conversation highlights the moral dilemmas of financial interactions, particularly the balance between ambition and faith. Shemwell also emphasizes the legacy of Luther's teachings and the pressing need for reevaluating contemporary lending practices to prioritize compassion and justice.
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Historical Definition Shift
- For most of church history usury meant charging any interest at all, not merely exorbitant rates.
- A redefinition to only forbid extortionate interest emerged mainly in the early 20th century.
Scripture's Multiple Bans
- The Old Testament includes multiple prohibitions against charging interest, especially to the poor and to 'your brother.'
- Early interpreters varied on whether the ban was universal or limited to kin/faith-community.
Usury As Idolatry
- Many patristic and Lutheran writers treat usury as a moral issue tied to idolatry and the first commandment.
- They cite Ezekiel and Psalm 15 to place usury alongside adultery and violence as moral sins.
