Walter Schultz, Ph.D. (Biblical & Theological Studies) was approved as a Staley Distinguished Scholar for his work on Christian responses to market economics and poverty. The honor was granted by the Thomas F. Staley Foundation, which believes the message of the Christian gospel is contemporary, relevant and meaningful in any generation.

“Our identity is neither in property ownership, nor in our place in the economic game,” said Schultz. “We are stewards of whatever talents, gifts, grace and wealth God has entrusted to us.”

Earlier this spring, Schultz was invited to speak at Cedarville University at a conference entitled “Continuing the Conversation: Challenging the Market to Redeem the Poor.” urged faculty and students to bring biblical principles to bear on how they think about the market and how their view of their own wealth affects the poor.

Schultz presented in various venues, including a panel, faculty and school-wide presentations and lunch discussion groups—one of which prompted an hour-long Q&A session. Cedarville’s business and economics faculty have requested that he return again for more interaction.

The conference hosted a total of three speakers: Schultz; Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine; and Marvin Olasky, editor of WORLD magazine.

Schultz’s presentation was an outgrowth of his doctoral work and book The Moral Conditions of Economic Efficiency.