ABSTRACT
Jews and Christians in considering the debt problems of the Third World are very well served by their sacred books. The Torah, the Old Testament and the New Testament have clear texts on the forgiveness of debt, brought to a beautiful summation in the Sermon at Nazareth of Jesus Christ when, at the outset of his Ministry, quoting from the Prophet Isaiah, he declared his mission in the World: to bring good news to the poor, the release of prisoners, to declare the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke, 4, 1-18). Unlike earlier texts, the New Testament makes clear that forgiveness and release are for all mankind, not just fellow Jews. St Paul later asserted (2 Corinthians, 6. 2) 'Now' is the 'acceptable time', and 'this very day' is the 'day of salvation'.
