Debt and Sin: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
In the Lord’s Prayer, Christians recite the phrase “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” This powerful statement links the concepts of sin and debt, reflecting a deep historical connection between moral and financial obligations. The equation of sin with debt is not merely metaphorical; it has roots in ancient civilizations and has profoundly shaped economic, social, and religious practices throughout history.
The Origins of Debt and Sin
According to economic historian Michael Hudson, the concept of debt in ancient societies was closely tied to interpersonal offenses. In early civilizations, if someone caused harm to another, they incurred a debt that required restitution. This system of compensation, known as “weregild” in European societies, was an alternative to blood feuds. Over time, the language used for these compensatory payments became synonymous with both debt and sin10.
Hudson explains: “Almost all debt, in really ancient society, was interpersonal, what the Europeans called weregild-type debt. If you injured somebody, if you break an arm, or if you kill them, there are two choices ancient society had: either you had a feud, and your family would fight his family, or he’d make restitution, and you would settle the conflict”10.
The Purpose and History of Jubilee
The concept of debt forgiveness, or jubilee, was a crucial feature of many ancient societies. Its primary purpose was to maintain social stability and prevent the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few creditors. The practice of debt forgiveness was institutionalized in various forms across different civilizations.
In ancient Mesopotamia, rulers would periodically declare a “clean slate,” canceling personal debts, freeing debt slaves, and returning land to its original owners. This practice, known as “andurarum” in Babylonian, was seen as a way to restore economic balance and prevent social unrest[1].
The biblical concept of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, was likely inspired by these earlier Mesopotamian practices. Every 50 years, debts were to be forgiven, slaves freed, and land returned to its original owners. This cyclical reset was designed to prevent the permanent entrenchment of inequality and maintain a stable society1.
Civilizations Without Debt Forgiveness
While many ancient societies practiced some form of debt forgiveness, the Roman Empire stands out as a notable exception. The Romans had a more rigid approach to debt, generally favoring creditors over debtors. This stance had significant consequences for Roman society and economy.
Hudson argues that the Roman refusal to implement widespread debt forgiveness contributed to the empire’s eventual decline. As debts accumulated and wealth became increasingly concentrated, social tensions grew, and economic productivity declined. The lack of a debt jubilee mechanism meant that these imbalances were never systematically addressed, leading to long-term instability6.
The Importance of Debt Forgiveness
Hudson’s research emphasizes the critical role of debt forgiveness in maintaining a prosperous and stable society. He argues that the accumulation of unpayable debts is a mathematical inevitability in any economy where interest-bearing loans exist. Without periodic debt forgiveness, societies tend to polarize between a small creditor class and a large debtor class, leading to economic stagnation and social unrest[10].
This understanding sheds new light on Jesus’ actions in the temple. When Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers, he was not merely expressing anger at commerce in a holy place. Rather, he was making a profound economic statement, challenging a system that had moved away from the biblical principles of periodic debt forgiveness1.
Conclusion
The historical practice of debt jubilee offers valuable insights for our modern economic challenges. As Hudson’s work demonstrates, the idea that all debts must always be repaid, regardless of circumstances or consequences, is a relatively recent development. Throughout much of human history, societies recognized the need for periodic debt forgiveness to maintain economic stability and social cohesion.
By revisiting these ancient wisdom traditions, we might find new approaches to addressing contemporary issues of inequality, economic instability, and social unrest. The prayer “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” is not just a spiritual plea, but a profound economic principle that has shaped human societies for millennia.
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