I’m not sure that’s quite right, Gordon. At least not originally.

Tony wrote:

Upon reflection, I realized my problem with the articles was both economic and theological.

At the start, economics was noted as a main concern. I sense that as everyone discussed the matter the theological matters came into greater focus, and rightly so.

But a criticism of an economic criticism is still a fair cop. As I read the initial article - economic ignoramus that I am - even I felt Tony’s supply & demand comments were the simplistic ones. It would be interesting to know, post-Gafcon, if these arguments still stand.

Hi Gordo,

I wasn’t meaning to be contentious.

My understanding was that Tony’s argument was that:

1. Theologically it is wrong to justify social action on the basis of evangelism. (I found what he said here helpful as I communicate Connect09 more clearly.. Certainly that was the main thrust over the course of his series… thanks Tony!)

2. In regards to support for fair trade / Fairtrade in particular, he said this was a matter of disagreement amongst evangelicals. In his mind, however, fair trade was ‘economically naive’. This was a major foundational point in his initial post.

I meant only to refer to point 2.

Oh well, Tony did raise the topic I suppose.

OK, perhaps he was being contentious!

;-)

I personally quite liked his article as it serves as a good reminder that fair-trade and other social actions whilst good in themselves, should be a means for a greater end.

Aren’t social actions about showing love?  Never mind what the Sydney Anglican mission statement says, what does the bible say?

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

I would have thought that the greater end was love.  And at the end of the day, I walk in to Coles to buy some coffee.  On the shelf, there is fair trade coffee, and non fair trade coffee.  Is it any effort for me to pick one over the other?  Sure, one may be a few dollars more, but then in some cases, I earn a few hundred times more than the people that make it.  You would think, given that it’s such a simple, no effort, no brainer choice, that the church, who’s greatest value is supposed to be love, would immediately embrace fair trade, and be the leaders in its adoption.  Why do we not only ignore it, but also protest it so much?

I missed the first part last Friday, but will be watching SBS for the final two episodes about the history of “Black Coffee” and which also looks at the introduction of “Fair Trade” practices :

Black Coffee: Gold In Your Cup - Friday 5 Sept 7.30pm

Gold In Your Cup - This fascinating three-part documentary series traces the unique and volatile history of coffee. Coffee first reached Brazil via French Guiana in the 18th century. Slaves were imported to work on the plantations and their suffering brought wealth to the coffee barons, part of Brazil’s new peerage. Mass marketing of coffee in the US led to a cycle of high prices, over production and a dramatic fall in price, which caused untold misery to the poor of the coffee producing countries. Today, coffee drinkers are starting to question the origin of their coffee and the living conditions of those who produce it.

Black Coffee: The Perfect Cup - Friday 12 Sept 7.30pm

The Perfect Cup - The final part of the fascinating documentary series tracing the unique and volatile history of coffee. This episode looks at the emergence of the specialty coffee industry led by Starbucks, that began in the United States and Canada, and has rapidly invaded the rest of the world, and the experiment with Fair Trade practices in the production of coffee.