Usury: A Scriptural, Ethical and Economic View

About this book

Calvin Elliott’s Usury offers a systematic, scripturally grounded argument against the practice of charging interest on loans. The work opens with a direct appeal to the reader’s reason, urging a step‑by‑step follow‑through of the author’s logic, beginning with a detailed definition of “usury” as it was understood in the language of the King James Bible. Elliott then traces the evolution of related terms, “let,” “wot,” “charity”, and distinguishes the ancient, morally charged sense of usury from the later, legally framed notion of interest. By anchoring his case in biblical law, particularly the Mosaic statutes that forbid usury, he builds a foundation for his broader ethical and economic critique.

Written in a measured, scholarly prose typical of late‑19th‑century theological treatises, the book reflects the era’s penchant for exhaustive textual analysis and moral argumentation. Readers who appreciate careful exegesis, historical linguistics, and the intersection of religion with economic theory will find Elliott’s methodical approach rewarding, while those seeking a more narrative or contemporary perspective may find the dense, polemical style demanding.

Opening lines

I beg the sincere and thoughtful consideration of this book by all its readers. Please follow the argument in the order in which it is presented. This is the way it developed in my own mind and led me, step by step, irresistibly to its conclusions. Do not read the closing chapters first, but begin with the "Definition." I believe every candid reader doing this, and having a logical mind, will fully and heartily concur in the condemnation of usury. …

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