Economic Wisdom in a Time of Tariffs

The Faith & Work Podcast

Tariffs are back in the headlines—so what should Christians make of them? Economist Dr. Kenneth Barnes joins us to unpack how trade policies, rising prices, and global tensions intersect with our everyday work and Gospel witness. In a world where economic headlines stir fear, we explore how the gospel reframes our perspective and response. This timely conversation will challenge you to think biblically about policy, productivity, and peace.

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HIGHLIGHTS

On Economies of Mutuality

"That has also uniquely given us the ability to create technology. And that's important because it's technology that ultimately creates wealth. And so what we do with that and how we treat our neighbors... all comes down to our means of exchange. And if our means of exchange is fair, if it's just, if it's genuinely relational and mutual, everybody benefits."

On God's Vision for the Economy

Ross Chapman: "If you had to summarize God's vision for economics in a sentence or two, what would it be? How could you make that as clear and understandable based on scripture? What would you say that is?"

Dr. Kenneth Barnes: "I would say: Just Flourishing."

RESOURCES

• Download the Episode Transcript Here
• Books By Dr. Barnes:
  • NEW - Sabbath as Resilience: Spiritual Refreshment for a Stressed-Out World
  • Redeeming Capitalism
• Economic Wisdom Project
• Free Denver Institute Download - Deep Rest: A Study of Sabbath
• Harvard Study on Flourishing - Explore the 6 Dimensions of Flourishing

QUOTES

• “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” - Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations
• “God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does.” - Martin Luther

DICTIONARY OF TERMS

• Worker par excellence: being an example of excellence; superior; preeminent
• Egality: a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced
• Abberation: a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome
• "Bretton Woods Agreement":The creation of a fixed currency exchange rate pegged to the gold standard
• Macheavellian: cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics
• Prescient: having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
• Impetus: the force or energy with which a body move
• נוּחַ (nuach): The Hebrew word meaning "to rest" or "to be at rest". It can also imply settling down, remaining, or finding repose.