Decoding Mammon

Synopsis: Decoding Mammon is an exposition of the negative assessment of money implied in Jesus' statement, "You cannot serve God and Mammon." On the basis of the theology enshrined in the Old and New Testaments and in the long-term tradition of the church, it is claimed that problems associated with money do not arise simply from the way it is used, but from the nature of money itself. Despite the fact that money has enabled great economic development, and in contrast with the general consensus of governments, economists, and many theologians that money is either a positive or neutral instrument, the book seeks to show that money is a deeply flawed instrument, created by fallen human beings, and fashioned over the years to suit the interests of those in power rather than the needs of people in general. It is argued that money should only be allowed to operate within severe restrictions, and that any reformulation of the global economy as a result of the recent financial crisis needs to be based on this understanding. Endorsements: "The financial system is out of control and wreaking havoc on societies across the world. Decoding Mammon's careful and comprehensive theological inquiry into money calls people of faith to look beyond conventional economic thinking to address the moral and societal consequences of our current, deeply unjust system. It is an invaluable resource for faith leaders." --Ann Pettifor, author of The Coming First World Debt Crisis "Reams have been published on the reasons for the 2008 crisis, asking all the questions except the ones that need to be asked: What is money? What has it become? Do we own it or does it own us? Decoding Mammon will take you into these questions, and the issues will look different as a result." --Peter Selby, author of Grace and Mortgage. "In a world where the problems of the financial architecture of the past forty years push up suicide rates and threaten the fate of whole nations, Decoding Mammon is a welcome call for reflection on what we mean by money and what we should be doing about it." --Timothy Gorringe, author of Capital and the Kingdom Author Biography: Peter Dominy served as a missionary in Nigeria before pastoring two parishes in the UK. He is an Emeritus Canon of Chichester Cathedral.