In Christian doctrine, the opposition to usury has deep historical and religious roots, particularly stemming from Old Testament scriptures. The concept of usury, or the charging of interest on loans, has been a point of contention throughout history, with various religious and ethical perspectives. Christians, particularly those following Catholic teachings, have a longstanding tradition against usury, drawing from passages such as the one in Deuteronomy 23:20 which explicitly prohibits charging interest to fellow Hebrews: “You shall not demand interest from your kindred on a loan of money or of food or of anything else which is loaned.”
The prohibition against usury in Christian thought extends beyond the Old Testament to the New Testament as well. For instance, in the Gospel of Luke (6:34-35), Jesus teaches, “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” This teaching emphasizes lending without expectation of return, indicating a generosity and selflessness in financial dealings.
The historical context of usury further shapes Christian perspectives. During the medieval period, the charging of interest was often associated with greed and exploitation, particularly by moneylenders. The Church’s stance against usury was partly a response to the economic and social challenges of the time, aiming to protect the vulnerable from oppressive financial practices. This historical backdrop, combined with the biblical teachings against usury, continues to influence Christian attitudes towards lending and interest today.
(Response: Christians are against usury due to biblical teachings, such as Deuteronomy 23:20, and Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament. These emphasize fairness, generosity, and protection of the vulnerable from exploitation.)