Trust: Franciscan Connections in Theology, Spirituality, Economics and Beyond

In the light of the crisis and opportunity of the global pandemic, this new interdisciplinary volume attempts to articulate Franciscan approaches to trust. With some variations, trust is defined as a willingness to be vulnerable to the actions of another person, based on the expectation that that personwill perform an action important to us, regardless of our ability to monitor or compel that action. Following the teaching and footsteps of Jesus Christ, Francis of Assisi said of his brothers, “for love of Him [Jesus Christ], they must make themselves vulnerable to their enemies.” This ethic of vulnerability fosters a culture of trust, which, although fragile and itself vulnerable to injury, may be renewed as often as the decision to extend trust is made. Themes addressed include:trust in Francis’s theological styletrust in Franciscan spiritual literature trust in Franciscan communitiestrust, faith, and love in Franciscan philosophytrust in economic relationshipstrust-building with ma