
A Scriptural, Ethical and Economic View
PUBLISHED BY - THE ANTI-USURY LEAGUE - MILLERSBURG, OHIO
TO MY READERS.
CHAPTER I.ToC - DEFINITION.
CHAPTER II.ToC - THE LAW BY MOSES.
CHAPTER III.ToC - USURY AND "THE STRANGER."
CHAPTER IV.ToC - DAVID AND SOLOMON.
CHAPTER V.ToC - DENUNCIATION OF JEREMIAH AND EZEKIEL.
CHAPTER VI.ToC - FINANCIAL REFORM BY NEHEMIAH.
CHAPTER VII.ToC - TEACHINGS OF THE MASTER.
The book offers a systematic examination of usury from a biblical, moral, and economic standpoint, beginning with a clear definition and tracing how key biblical terms have shifted in meaning. It delves into Mosaic law, explores how interest‑bearing loans affected strangers, and cites figures such as David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Nehemiah. The author invites readers to follow the logical progression toward an ethical condemnation of lending that extracts profit from need.
Drawing on parables, church history, and contemporary American debates, the work argues that usury enslaves borrowers and concentrates wealth, eroding character and social welfare. It contrasts Christian teachings with prevailing economic theories, highlighting the lasting relevance of the ancient prohibition. Listeners will find a thoughtful, historically grounded critique that challenges modern financial practices while remaining rooted in scriptural tradition. Its careful reasoning invites reflection on how ancient moral principles might inform today’s economic choices.
Full title
Usury : a scriptural, ethical and economic view A Scriptural, Ethical and Economic View
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (382K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Irma Spehar, Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file made using scans of public domain works at the University of Georgia.)
Release date
2007-05-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Known today mainly for a single forceful early-20th-century book, this little-known writer took on the ethics of lending and argued that usury harmed ordinary people. His work blends religious conviction with economic criticism in a way that still feels surprisingly direct.
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