Retrieving elements of an economic ethic from Ezra 3 : Ezra's building project in dialogue with poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district in Mozambique.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
This research seeks to retrieve elements of an economic ethic from Ezra’s building project that can dialogue with poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district in Mozambique. The research argues that the Mosaic economic ethic retrieved from Ezra’s building project is a valuable biblical resource which can be used to orient economic analysis and reflection in Homoine district in the context of poverty and economic inequality.
This research consists of three related parts. One part consists of a detailed socio-historical analysis of the context of poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district in Mozambique. The focus here is on three related issues. Firstly, it analyses the general economic-historical background of Mozambique, focusing on the three micro-economic policies that have been influencing the development process of the country since independence. Secondly, it locates Homoine district within this economic-historical background of the country, focusing on the causes of poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district. Thirdly, it analyses the response of the church (United Methodist Church in Mozambique) to the problems of poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district. The second part consists of a socio-historical and literary analysis of Ezra’s building project. The focus here is on three related aspects. Firstly, it analyses the economic-historical background of Ezra’s building project, focusing on the economic situation of the Israelites who were left in Palestine after the destruction of Judah, the economic situation of the Israelites who were deported to Babylon and the economic policies of Persia. Secondly, it locates Ezra 3 within this economic-historical context in order to retrieve elements of an economic ethic from this narrative. Thirdly, it analyses the response of religion towards the economic struggle in Ezra’s building project. The third part consists of an analogical dialogue between Ezra’s building project and the context of poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district. The focus here is on the affinity of struggle for economic liberation between the two contexts and the relevance of the Mosaic economic ethic retrieved from Ezra’s building project in the context of poverty and economic inequality in Homoine district.
The research concludes by suggesting that the United Methodist Church and/or theologians should educate communities in Homoine district (and elsewhere in Mozambique) about the Mosaic memory and its liberation capacity as an alternative economic motivation which can reduce the problems of poverty and economic inequality.
Description
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
Keywords
Bible. Ezra--Criticism, interpretation, etc., Reconstruction--Religious aspects--Christianity., Theses--Theology.