Food Poverty and Christianity in Britain: A Theological Re-assessment. Issue 4 (3rd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, Chris
• Is Part Of: Political theology. Volume 17:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 377
• Publication Date: 2016-07-03
• Subjects: food poverty -- foodbanks -- Britain -- liberation theology -- contextual theology; Christianity and politics -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Political theology -- Periodicals; Christian socialism -- Periodicals; 261.7094105
• DOI: 10.1179/1743171914Y.0000000004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-317X

Abstract

Abstract : The Christian response to food poverty in Britain has generally been two-fold. Foodbanks have become synonymous with Christianity and exemplify its charitable ethos. However, Christian churches have also called for social justice so that people can buy food in the normal way. Both responses are theologically problematic. The idea of foodbank is borne of a privileged theology that celebrates charitable giving, despite the humiliation it invites on recipients. Although social justice approaches originate in human rights discourse, the location of these rights in food consumerism means that it is equally privileged. Drawing on contextual and liberation theology, as well as ideas from radical orthodoxy, I argue that food poverty is better understood when we assign epistemological privilege to the poor. This leads me to advocate an alternative Christian response to food poverty.