Hollinger and Others Hold "ECONversations"

Economics are not only for economists but for Christians, too.

This was the sentiment that prompted Economics Professor Dr. Joshua Hollinger to envision “ECONversations.”

Each month, dozens of faculty, staff, and students pack a classroom on the third level of the Campus Center. Hollinger poses a question related to a relevant and timely economics topic, a small panel of interdepartmental experts weigh in, and then participants are given the opportunity to discuss the question and the panelists’ responses with their neighbors. Participants are then encouraged to ask questions of the panelists.

“The goal,” says Hollinger, “is to stir up intelligent conversations about big economic issues.”

Having a variety of participants, faculty, staff, and students across academic disciplines and economic backgrounds engage in these topics benefits everyone who attends. “We are all affected by these economic issues and come with different perspectives. Even if an expert shares useful information, I think it sinks in in a different way when you process it out loud with other people. You get to respond to what someone else thinks and learn from how they respond to your thoughts,” says Hollinger.

Zachary Kramer, a business major, regularly attends ECONversations. These discussions help him better understand and form opinions about current economic issues while also bringing people together. He says, “These conversations are not always easy to have. It takes trust and openness to communicate honestly about difficult topics that impact many lives around us. As we open up to one another about our ideas, we become more connected as we learn what each of us priorities and emphasize in our given worldviews.”

Some recent topics posed at ECONversations include “Poverty and Government Policy,” “Tariffs,” and “How Does Immigration Affect the American Economy?”

While these topics are relevant and timely for all Americans to think about, as Christians gathering at a Christian institution, the issues raised are always viewed through a Christian worldview.

“Since faith is integral to how we approach all of life, our underlying worldview is going to shape how we think about concepts like justice, values, the limitation of our own understanding, what humans are like, and so on, all of which matter for economic topics,” says Hollinger. “Sometimes these discussions of Christian ideals come up more explicitly, but at a minimum, Christianity is foundational in how we understand who we are and what the world is like as we allocate our limited resources in it. And Christianity motivates us to think about loving our neighbor well, which we can do more wisely if we understand economic forces.”

Reflecting on a recent ECONversations, Dr. Timothy Klein ('05), professor of business administration, says, “It was fun to see students and faculty grapple with challenging questions. I am so thankful to serve at an institution that encourages its faculty and students to bring their faith to life in the day-to-day moments of life.”

Economics impact everyone. ECONversations helps to raise awareness about tough and, sometimes, divisive economic issues, to help participants navigate their own understanding with the guidance of experts, and to form connections between people who are trying to better understand our world.

“If our goal at Dordt is to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all areas of life, developing some knowledge and wisdom on big economic questions should certainly be part of that,” says Hollinger.