Church of England Commentators

Abstract

This chapter builds on the preceding survey of the General Synod contribution by examining those themes and motifs concerning capitalism favoured by key Anglican commentators during the period. Certain figures have published material which is indirectly relevant to the theme (for instance Hugh Montefiore on contemporary culture), but this survey is restricted to those commentators who deal specifically with capitalism and whose contributions fall within the period specified. One major commentator is therefore excluded by the dates, but his influence extends over the sources considered. Brian Griffiths, now Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach and Vice-Chairman of Goldman Sachs, wrote two key books in this area, Morality and the Marketplace (1982) and The Creation of Wealth (1984), and has reprised his thinking in a number of more recent contributions to edited collections of essays. Having been a Professor of Economics, Griffiths served as the Head of Margaret Thatcher’s Policy Unit from 1985 to 1990, and furnished her with a biblically-based moral case for her economic reforms. He is widely credited as being a key architect of the brand of Thatcherism criticised in Faith in the City and by bishops such as David Sheppard and David Jenkins. His books are therefore referenced as appropriate.