Holiness and Economic Justice: What are God's Intentions for Kenyans today?

Abstract

The thesis proposes God’s intentions for the Kenyan society, especially the Evangelical Christians, to the transformation of the poor economic state of Kenya and the gains that may be derived from it. This is presented in five chapters. The concept of economics in the Old Testament is looked at from the perspective of contemporary Western writers. Holiness and economic justice in the Bible are explored. Core meanings of the words ‘holiness’ and ‘justice’ is suggested. Holiness and economic justice are major Old Testament themes are also examined. Holiness and justice in economic life especially in the Books of Amos, Nehemiah and other Bible books are looked at. Biblical ways of transforming the Kenyan economy are observed. Ways that Kenya can benefit from the Old Testament “Jubilee principle” today are suggested. The thesis also looks at some of the distributional priorities and why they should be “theoretic “ as opposed to secular. It goes on to suggest why economic institutions should be redemptive and restorative. A few reasons are given to show why market transactions need to be morally neutral. The thesis shows how to apply jubiliary principles in Kenya today. Finally, the thesis emphasizes that the immediate realization by the Kenyan society of the crucial role that the biblical principles of economics ought to play revamping the crippled economy of this country holds the key of hope for both believers and non-believers. The study is concluded with recommendations of areas that could be strengthened by the Evangelical Church in Kenya with the aim of transforming the Kenyan economy. Suggested areas for further studies are given at the end of this study.