My name is David Doty. I was born and raised in Northern Indiana (US). I received a B.A. in English Literature in 1980 and went on to a career in business management, including starting and co-owning three small businesses. In the middle of my business career, God called me to attend seminary. I received an M.A. in World Mission and Evangelism from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2006.
Oddly, my call to seminary was to study economics, the marketplace in Christian perspective, and Christians in marketplace vocations. After eight years’ research and writing, my first book, Eden’s Bridge: The Marketplace in Creation and Mission, was published January 1, 2012 by Wipf & Stock Publishers of Oregon. The thesis of Eden’s Bridge is that the marketplace is an intended institution in creation, implicitly modeled in the creation narrative in Genesis 1-2 and vital to God’s mission in the world.
My favorite things to do are continuing research in the Bible, social and cultural development, and market economics. My current projects include seeking speaking opportunities to discuss these topics, most especially Eden’s Bridge and marketplace vocations as divine calling. I have also just started publishing Exchange: The Journal of Mission and Markets, dedicated to all who would come to the conversation including marketplace C hristians, missionaries, pastors, theologians, academics, and so on. Check it out on this web site and jump right in to the conversation!
I have been married for twenty six years. My wife and I have two grown children. We moved to the north Atlanta suburbs in Georgia in the fall of 2011. My hope is to see Christ coming daily in my own life, the lives of my sisters and brothers in Christ, and evermore into the world, to the glory of His Father.
Thank You!
Eden's Bridge 
You’ve got me hooked. In fact, the editor of Mission Frontiers just asked me to contribute to the May/June edition. Here’s my reply to his question, “What have we learned in 200 years of doing missions?”
I JUST NOW read a fascinating piece on https://edensbridge.org/. This fella I met on Linked In has given the best full-bodied rationale for capitalism and missions, heretofor called tentmaking and other weird names.
That is my response. Missions Via the Marketplace. I am convinced now that those events and messages and articles in the early days of pioneering were, indeed, from On High. I therefore, submit this notion as THE most important thing we have learned over the last 200 years. It begins with marketplace and trade route evangelism in the first centuries. Over the last 200 years we have refined and repeated the basics of persoal and group evangelism. What we have truly “learned” is taking commerce, profitability, economic enablement for th poor to places Bible-toting, pith-helmeted missionaries could not go.
Gary –
Thank you such powerful and affirming words. I believe, and I think I my research bears it out, we are on the verge of the greatest upheaval in global evangelism, via the marketplace, in Church history. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to seek the Lord on a mobilization model I believe He has laid out for me to bring to the Church…for such a time as this.
Praise our Holy Lord!
Dave
Have you checked out my blog on the works of mercy in society today? If not go ahead. You will enjoy it!
Dave, I am intrigued. Since you are in Atlanta, have you had dealings with Robert Lupton (CCDA member and author of Toxic Charity)? I woudl be interested to learn more about your views–I am assuming that Asbury was not heavy in their Reformed theology but would direct you to Abraham Kuiper and certain other Dutch thinkers about vocation and the proper understanding of work as calling and the ordering of civil society informed by the gospels–probably taking different lines from your thought. At any rate, I am deeplyc oncerned by the advancement of Austrian School of Economics through such institutions as the Acton Institute and the perversion of a Christian ethic by the likes of current candidates for high office, influenced by Ayn Rand, et al. I’d love to chat sometime.
Rev. Charlotte Ellison
revcaellison@hotmail.com
Charlotte – Thank you for your comments.
First let me say that, as a Wesleyan Arminianist, I am as likely committed to my theology as most Reformed folk. That said, I have not read Kuyper and you are right, Asbury does not teach much in the way of Reformed theology. My views on the role of the marketplace in the Kingdom of God and the roles of vocation and stewardship are pretty thoroughly explained in my book. I would be happy to discuss particular points but I doubt we are apt to dissuade each other much on some of the major differences of our perspectives.
Have you attended Acton University? I hear a lot of criticism of them from folk who have never taken the time to attend. They are very receptive to having their views challenged and, frankly, as far as I am concerned, answer their critics quite well. I lean toward the Austrian school myself for two reasons. The first is simple mathematics. Business pays for everything, including public education, governance, healthcare, you name it, all from creating the wealth that generates tax revenues. When business is overtly hindered by government intervention, then tax revenues suffer because growth is hindered. That said, I do not believe in free markets (that is, unmitigated by reasonable oversight) but prefer what I would call open markets where businesses, relatively unhindered, can go about doing what it does best: creating new wealth.
The second reason I prefer Austrian to Keynesian policies is because I do not believe it is necessarily the role of the government to care for every thing that every one wants or needs. If their is truly a need, the Church should be fulfilling that but right now the Church, at least in North America is performing that duty before God abysmally. I hear a lot of rich Christians saying someone should do something but doing little themselves. Let business create wealth and let righteousness feed, cloth, and house the poor. Then our witness to the world will carry some weight. Further, we have seen not only socialism fail but the social democracies of Europe are not faring much better. Michael Novak tackles socialism and liberation theology quite well, I think, in his book, “The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism.”
As far as Ayn Rand is concerned, it is an argument that falls flat with me since 1) I am not fan of her writings (having never read any thing she wrote, and 2) the arguments for an Austrian style political economy do not require anything she wrote for its support. Frankly, as far as I am concerned her views are moot to me so I cannot and will discuss her simply because I lack any interest in doing so.
I do not believe most of the candidates to high office in this election cycle have any deep-seated commitment to Christian ethics but, as mentioned before, I do not believe it is government’s role to be doing the job God charged to the Church.
In any case, I would love to get together and we can hash through even more as iron sharpens iron.
Shalom,
Dave
hi Dave . I am an apostolic minister from Kenya. I have been in a situation that I have wanted to discuss with unbiased none racist Christian leaders but haven’t quite found one so far. This is about American immigration process.is this a subject you would like to have a discussion on? you may reply through kibeg@hotmail.com if you would prefer private response . looking forward to correspondence.Thanks
Hi, Grace –
I did respond privately via email so let me know how I can help.
Dave
hi David,i sent to you a mail,i dont know if you saw it.
I’m sorry but I did not receive it. You might try sending it again.
Hi David,sorry for inconvinence,I am Irene Mbiandji N. from Cameroon.Iam really happy reading from you and seeing being zearious for Christ,I thank God Almighty for raising such like you this last day.My bible says,the secret of the Lord is with those who fear him and he show to them his covenant.You carry out his work by building his kingdom in the market place hence fighting poverty.Go ahead David.i really love your concepts and theology of building God’s kingdom in the market place.You said,you are looking for a place and small groups to illustrate your theology,i do think Cameroon is a better place,hence the minds of our people will be transform with the awsome deeds of God mavelouse performance through his servant..Thanks,my email mbiandjii@yahoo.com
Hi David,sorry for this inconvinence,iam Irene Mbiandji from Cameroon,its my pleaure reading from you,i really thank God for you and am also praying for you that let God’s grace continue to rest on you.My bible says,the secret of the Lord is with those who feared him and he show them his covenant,as the heaven s far above the earth so his great love are with those who fear him.You said some months ago,that you are looking for a group of people and aplace to illustrate you concepts and theology of building God’s kingdom in the market place.I do admired it and i want to be part of your organisation and to learn more as well as to act as agent of change in my community and society as whole.Isaiah says,in 6v8,i am ready sent me Lord.My people need such change.
Thanks,
What city are you in (or near) in Cameroon?
I am living in Douala,the economic capital of Cameroon in the Litoral region.Cameroon is found between West and Central Africa.In the West near Nigeria and in the Central near Central African Replublic.
Do you needs more information,let me know.Thanks
Irene Mbiandji
Hi,
I have waited for your reply,i did not hear from you since,if you want to know more about me,i can better express myself.Cameroon is divided into ten region.But we migrated from the South West region to Douala in the Litoral region,due to economic activities with my mom.I was born and i grew up in the South West region,that is the reason why i speak more English language than french,Cameroon is colonised by France and Britain,I have been living in Douala for 7years now and i know more about this region.And i did Cameroon,africa and world historys in High School.
I am a member of International Christian Chamber of comerce and i have read and listening tapes about building Gods kingdom in the market .place precidely on mathiew 25.This has been my inspiration,i believed in God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,the Holy spirit been my director,direct me through your website.
Sir, i want to know more and be train by you on the concepts and theology on building Gods kingdom on market place,i want to be part of your organisation,hoping that you will come to Cameroon about this good news.
Thanks.
You deserve a reply, DAve. Up until my aggressive prostate cancer got on the rampage I was ready to stay an online pal. I do respect the trail the Lord put you on, but I am now limiting my interactions with writing My Manifesto and working out a DVD legacy bio. Blessings on your challenge. Don’t loose heart. If you get the feeling things are up hill now, you shoulda been at my side 30 years ago when “tentmaking” actually made some people (mostly Baptists) angry.
Gary – Your comments make for interesting timing as I have been reflecting on pushback I have gotten in just the last couple of weeks. Thank you for having been on that cutting edge 30 years ago when, in many ways, it feels as if little progress has yet been made. I cannot imagine what it was like in the truly pioneering effort! The Church gets so invested in its traditions and practices it seems no one can even think about the possibility of finding better ways to accomplish missional goals. Be blessed in your writing.
Hi Dave,
I am back. Just published a funding project on crowdfunding site of Crowdcube Limited UK. If you have friends that are UK residents, they might want to know about this challenging project. Bad news is that this business is not available to US citizens… Please send a private email or let me know if you can post here on your site an article about this business. Looking forward.
Blessings!
Teodor
Reply to yourt 2 column Post but I could not “Post” it
This was helpful for me. So often the focus from those outside asking how BAM is going focus on the left hand column (which we are clearly involved in) but rarely the right hand column which does form a big percentage of what we do. What I will say is for those who ask the questions in the workplace, we do deal with Discipleship in relation to many personal issues and we also deal with personal financial management. This is in an environment where probably 90% of those we work with (inside or outside the company) are not Christians. BAM can leave oner feeling quite guilty unless all the work (Both Columns) are seen as at least equal.
Thank you for your comment. I have posted a link to your web site via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn this morning. May your work be blessed and be a blessing!
Dave
Hello, Dave, Are you or others here still open for discussion regarding Christian Investors as “Entrepreneurs” to fund Christian owned/operated business? (and ministries in the process)? I’m asking as I don’t find anything posted after Feb. 19, 2014. Thank you, Carole Phelps
Carole –
Thank you so much for our call. It was very encouraging for me. Do let’s stay in touch and continue to pray for God’s guidance.
Shalom,
Dave
I do have some additional information on a Christian angel investor network. Please send me an email at davedoty@edensbridge.org and I will forward it to you.