Debt and Jubilee

[Sojourner]

I came across a group called "Jubilee USA" which has a number of interesting articles and work in providing debt relief to poor nations. I came across them whilst reading an article on the current situation in Greece.

Reading this caused me to wonder where we stand as Christians on the OT theology of Jubilee and debt relief? Also the concept of the 50 year Super Jubilee?

Here is a cut and paste from their page,

"A Religious Call for Debt Relief

Texts in both the Hebrew Scriptures and throughout the New Testament call for debt cancellation and the righting of relationships every seven years with a super Jubilee every 50th year. The Qu'ran challenges debt by strongly criticizing usury. The Jubilee movement began with an interfaith call for debt cancellation from groups like American Jewish World Service and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Proclaim liberty throughout the lands
and to all the inhabitants thereof,
it shall be a jubilee for you."
Leviticus 25:10

Faith groups continue to play a pivotal role in the debt relief movement. Jubilee USA is a coalition of 400 faith communities around the country and a host of national faith organizations, including the national Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Methodist and Episcopal churches, American Jewish World Service, the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism and the leadership of numerous Catholic religious orders".

Edited July 3, 2015 by Sojourner

[phkrause]

I believe that God showed us how to deal with this, and unfortunately our current systems would never go for that, because than greed would have to be cut out.

[JimTN]

Unfortunately, GOD's way of declaring the Jubilee to wipe away debts will never be accepted in this world -- the only thing coming close to it is when people file for bankruptcy.

Back in 1981 I worked for BofA, and while I was there I was impressed with a solution to the banking system.

See my website:  www.TheBankingSolution.com 

Yes, it's controversial -- but even now in 2015 I am convinced that it really is the one and only 100% benign solution (even though it will probably never be enacted)!

[8thdaypriest]

I believe that God showed us how to deal with this, and unfortunately our current systems would never go for that, because than greed would have to be cut out.

There is no record of Israel EVER keeping the Jubilee once they entered the land.  Only a few Sabbatical years are mentioned.  The Greeks and Romans certainly did not allow for debt cancellation.