The Substance of Things: Categorical and Comparative Analysis of Faith’s Foundation—Church, Faith, and Christ

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the predominant forms of theological engagement with economic justice demonstrates ways in which differing traditions in black religious experience can speak to economic issues and point to the diversity of understandings of the categories of faith , church, and Christ and highlights their social implications. Within this analysis, the voices of congregants are treated as an epistemological source for understanding ethical ideas regarding Christian behavior in the marketplace. The data were collected over eighteen months. Clergy and laity participated in personal interviews and focus groups, respectively (all were recorded and transcribed). The purpose of interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and data gathered from informal conversations, church documents, and artifacts was to grasp their views and values.