“Inequality is the root of all social evil,” Pope Francis has warned. A look at his sources suggests he could hardly argue otherwise. So contends DePaul Political Science Professor David Lay Williams, who investigates the predatory lending practices and extremes of economic inequality in Jesus’ Roman Palestine in a chapter of his forthcoming book on the development of economic inequality in Western political thought. Reimagining some of Jesus’ parables and examining passages from the Gospels and the Book of James, Williams discovered a Jesus intent on reducing the corrosive effects of wealth, greed, and inequality and condemning those with great fortunes as unworthy inhabitants for the kingdom of God. Williams contrasts him with Paul’s attitude toward pious Christians with wealth.

Williams’ presentation is part of the Faculty Scholarship Support Center’s ongoing Mess Hall series in which DPU scholars share their latest research for public critique — mess and all. Both faculty and students are invited to attend. To learn more, contact FSSC@depaul.edu, 773 325-2164.