An Examination of the Biblical Dialogue on Poverty and the Poor

Abstract

Abstract: - Poverty and presentations of such situations have been differently and at times adversely exegeted; bringing into question the biblical hermeneutics that Christians the world over subscribe to. The many interpretations have brought out varied perception and attitudes within the Christendom. Christians and none Christians alike of different persuasions; including socialists, anthropologists, economists, psychologists and most of all theologians, have come up with several convictions to the question, ‘why poverty?’ However, one may wonder, what the bible and bible traditions have to say about poverty. This paper carefully examines the biblical dialogue on poverty. poverty - difficult to define. To me, these are just but different shades of expression of the same concept. They are but lines that people draw concerning wanting situations that the poor people find themselves in. Key terms: - Poor, The poor, Interpretation, Religion, Christian faith, Hermeneutics