Huenemanniac

I spent some time this afternoon with a book by my friend Norm Jones, who was taken from the world this morning after struggling against cancer. There is so much to say about Norm: his great stature as a historian of early modern England, his broad and deep curiosity about everything, his inimitable manner of giving accurate and folksy explanations for even complicated phenomena, and his big heart that prompted him to make sure everyone felt included in the discussion.

So I went over to the library and picked up one of his books.

And the topic is fascinating. We have, on the one hand, the fact that the Lord has very clearly forbidden charging any substantial interest on loans (usury). For example (and there are dozens, similar in tone, in both testaments): “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury” (Deuteronomy 23:19). We have, on the other hand, the fact that one can make A LOT of money by doing so. So, something has to give, and (predictably) the Lord’s commandment has been made softer. This was a very live issue in England in the 1500s, especially as Protestants found a need to reconcile their financial appetites with their faith.

So Norm’s book is about this negotiation, especially as it took place through legalistic channels. One contributor (Walter Howse, it seems) to the discussion drew up what practices a lender must follow in order to not be guilty of usury as a sin:

In other words, you may charge interest, but only if you do so humanely. Alas, even this concession to the Lord seems to have been too much, as the most casual student of economics knows.

A friend’s book is no substitute for the friend, of course. But the conditions of our mortal existence often allow for no more than this.