Journal Article

Declaring the Global Economy a Status Confessionis?

Kamminga, Menno R

2019

Overview

This article revisits theologian Ulrich Duchrow's three-decade-old use of the Protestant notion of status confessionis to denounce the capitalist global economy. Scholars quickly dismissed Duchrow's argument; however, philosopher Thomas Pogge has developed a remarkable \"negative duty\"-based critique of the current global economic order that might help revitalize Duchrow's position. The article argues that sound reasons exist for the churches to declare the contemporary world economy a-provisionally termed-status confessionis minor. After explaining the inadequacy of Duchrow's original position and summarizing Pogge's account, the article develops a twofold argument. First, Pogge's in-depth inquiry into the world economy gives Duchrow's call for a status confessionis a strong yet narrowing economic foundation. Second, to declare the world economy a status confessionis minor is theological-ethically justifiable if the limited though indispensable \"prophetic\" significance of doing so is acknowledged. Thus, Duchrow's approach is justified, but only partially.

• Publisher: Brill