Abstract

ZWEMSTRA, H.M.. An adjudication of the most prominent ecclesiastical and theological traditions to the ethics of socio-economical rights. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2009, vol.43, n.4, pp.761-776. ISSN 2305-0853.

In this article the contribution of the Roman Catholic Church and that of the main protestant churches to the ethics of socio-economical rights is investigated and adjudicated. The Roman Catholic Church stresses the importance of socio-economic rights, but socio-economic rights are founded in natural law and not in Biblical principles. In the Lutheran tradition socioeconomic rights are ascribed to the domain of the world, and no proper Biblical foundation is given. The World Alliance of Reformed Churches gives a Biblical foundation to socio-economic rigths, but unfortunately it is influenced by political theology. The Testimony on Human Rights of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod is a comprehensive study on human rights in the reformed tradition, and proper Biblical foundation is given to socio-economic rights.

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