Volume 10.2

we begin with a sermon from Gordon Preece that is a model in taking two contexts seriously: the historical context of the book of Ruth and his contemporary context of Australian industrial relations. Gordon shows how timely are the book’s lessons about grace at work, the spirit of generosity which shows care for the employee and overcomes inter-racial suspicions.
After a report from Richard Higginson on the latest Ridley Hall Foundation conference, we are pleased to give extended space to an outstanding contribution from the conference by Jim Wright on reclaiming business for the Kingdom of God. He shows how many live issues in the workplace – values, relationships, trust, etc – are ones where Christians have something distinctive to say. Articulating this and living it out gives both opportunity and credibility for Christian witness.
Faith in Business Quarterly is always prepared to allow expression for both sides of an opinion, if cogently put. Having allowed scope for opponents of interest to put their case in the past it is now the turn of Lord Griffiths to argue the biblical case for usury. Along with the very real dangers deriving from debt, the availability of credit has real practical advantages. We hope that this article along with others will give rise to some constructive correspondence!
With a clever pun on two notable Americans’ names, Peter Heslam weighs in with some shrewd observations on the philanthropy of the rich in Buffeting the Gates of Heaven. Carol Williams and Eve Poole complete this issue with two lively and appreciative reviews – on books about prayers on work and the Church and economic life respectively.
The launch of CABE’s Principles for those in Business has attracted much attention, and CABE’s chairman, John McLean Fox, explains the motivation behind this initiative. We hope to give the principles detailed analysis in our next issue.
Alert readers will note two new faces below, and a familar one missing. Carol Williams has decided to step down from editing FiBQ to concentrate on chairing ICF. We thank her warmly for her contribution over the last four years. She is replaced as ICF-nominated editor by Paul Pearce, while Robin McKenzie has joined the team as a Ridley Hall Foundation representative.