The
first Christians immediately set about creating a social structure
based on democratic control of their collective resources, which
were shared freely. While this was a voluntary system, it carried
great spiritual weight and was a continuation of values that were
clearly encouraged in the stories of the Old Testament. This style
of organizing can also be found in the modern cooperative movement,
which is made up of thousands of democratically controlled businesses
serving millions of members worldwide.
This
movement has grown into a comprehensive economic system in other
parts of the world. Christians have played key roles in the development
of this movement, but the theological basis for this participation
is not widely understood. Holy Cooperation! is an examination
of what the Bible teaches about social organizing, and an exploration
of some of the cooperative ways that Christians have worked together.
139
pages, 2009, 6" x 9", paperbound