supporting the Think Biblically podcast with a year-end gift. Sunday, January 5, 2020 Lawrence W. Reed Economics Charity Jesus Socialism Bernie Sanders Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wealth Creation Leer en Espaol With his own resources, of his own free will, he immediately pitches in and helps the man. There are no Bible verses that support Socialism, period. If he had been poverty stricken, he couldn't have done [crosstalk]. Blood Type May Have Minimal Effect On Covid-19 Health Risk, Delayed Cancer Care Due To Covid-19 Could Cost Thousands Of Lives, 9 More Bizarre Consequences Of The Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. Egalitarianism rarely lifts the least of these. Instead, it deprives their right to rise beyond their circumstances. The difference with you and me is I believe we are our brother's keeper, and you believe that the government is our brother's keeper." Harsh labels, vast generalizations, and misinformation are probably one of the greatest threats we face at this moment in time as a country and across the globe. Jesus obviously understood incentives. Lawrence Reed: and of his own money. He says I'll be back later and see what you've done with it. Scott Rae: I think that's a really good observation, because I think most people don't see readily in that parable an affirmation of private property [crosstalk]. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I . 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet. It has not been uncommon for advocates of virtually every economic system to invoke Jesus in support of their views, though some of the most ardent advocates for both capitalism and socialism did not have any particular religious views themselves (Rand, Marx). He has the same amount, but he's proud that he's preserved the master's wealth. Peter tells Ananias that, "It was your money. Scott Rae: Now you cite several passages in the Gospels that have a lot to do with economics, where Jesus either makes economic assumptions or is directly teaching about some aspect of economics, so things like the parable of the talents, the good Samaritan, the parable of the workers in the vineyard, rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. And He says we're judged by what we accomplish with what He has given to us, and that means spiritually and physically. The first one is, get control of your money by setting up a budget. Now the question is, did the apostles of Jesus command this to be the economic model for all Christian communities? It's compassion. Scott Rae: So it sounds like, if I asked you to finish the sentence, "Jesus was not a socialist because,"-. He trusts three men with a substantial but equal degree of his wealth. And you see Him having no problem with that, people owned property. in social ethics from the University of Southern California, a Th.M. 10 Things You Should Consider before You Drink Alcohol, 7 Soundtracks for Every Feeling in the Christian Life, A Prayer for a Heavenly Perspective - Your Daily Prayer - July 11, Movieguide Warns Parents: 'Don't Take Your Daughter to See, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, On His Mind - Greg Laurie Devotion - July 11, 2023, Biblical City of Sodom Has Been Found, Archaeologist Says: 'Wiped Out in the Blink of an Eye', 10 Classic Movies Every Christian Teen Should Watch, 5 Things Your Teen Has Questions about but Is Too Afraid to Ask You, How I Learned to Have A Stress-Free Summer with My Kids, 5 Ways to Find Encouragement When Life Is Bleak, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. It led to chronically high unemployment. Lawrence Reed: Well, thank you, Scott. First of all Jesus accepted that people could own property. Our base instincts betray us. with Lawrence Reed Scott Rae December 16, 2019 It has not been uncommon for advocates of virtually every economic system to invoke Jesus in support of their views, though some of the most ardent advocates for both capitalism and socialism did not have any particular religious views themselves (Rand, Marx). Free enterprise bestows bounty extraordinarily well, but Christian compassion remains a vital complement filling the gaps. Let's take a look at the many . They had these kinds of issues in the early church. If Jesus were a socialist, he would have the master being criticized for not paying a proportionate wage. 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. expands on the immensely popular video of the same name that Reed recorded for Prager University in July 2019. He created us. Jesus obviously understood incentives. Other passages are mentioned. But Matthew 25 leads from both directions. I mean, that often takes a problem and makes it worse, not better. In fact he describes what he had. You've not lied to men, but to God." They have globalized economies, lots of private ownership. There is nothing exploitative about profits derived by honest, free exchange serving others. The man who becomes known as the good Samaritan, what does he do? So when interpreting Jesus we need to be aware that His teaching center on the religious, social and economic values of the kingdom of God. Now the second thing is that you have to get control of your money by getting out of debt. We should look very carefully at all the consequences of all acts and policies, not just what seem to be beneficial for a few in the near run. But can you imagine you own a field and you have to leave part of the field for the poor? But, of course, they can't do that, but we should not be so blind to the lessons of history and economics and thinking long-term. Now I want you to really think about something. When we see others hoarding we snatch more too. They are content to pay much higher taxes, but they have much higher expectations about what government will provide, particularly in terms of health care and other things. I would encourage them also to think long-term, because there are a lot of things you can do in the here and now for the moment that may seem to be good. 1888-886-8632 or go online to beyondtoday.tv. What advice would you have for people, say, in our Millennial, Gen Z generation today who seem to be romanticizing socialism again like people did in the 1920s and 30s? Lawrence Reed: Exactly. Scott Rae: I appreciate that that's the idea of compassion, which is to suffer with someone, as you know. BIBLE VERSES ABOUT SOCIALISM - King James Bible Online And be thankful. But, instead, in the parable, he actually condemns the first guy for his non-creation of wealth. Was Jesus A Socialist, Capitalist, Or Something Else? - Forbes Jesus a Socialist? That's a Myth - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal Give us an example of some of those. One is, farmers had to leave the corners of their field for the poor. They have extensive welfare states, but they're really not socialists. Scott Rae: I appreciate the way you have tried hard to integrate your study of the Bible and your example of the life of Jesus into your economic theory in some really meaningful ways. For all who were possessors of land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles' feet, and they distributed to each as according to his need.". Jesus was also a Jew in the religious sense, though He had a perfect understanding of a right relationship . Markets offer freedom, which amplifies character. As Adam Smith said of slavery, A person who can acquire no property can have no other interest but to eat as much and to labour as little as possible.. I was a stranger and you took me in. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; If he had done any of those other things, if he had just said, oh, it's somebody else's responsibility, it's the government's, or I'll get a program going for you, we would not think of him today as the good Samaritan. He says, Christians and the freedom of conscience in politics. What Does the Bible Say About Socialism? - David Jeremiah Blog He is frequently interviewed on radio talk shows and has appeared as a guest on numerous television programs and lectures around the world annually. Scott Rae is professor of Christian ethics and dean of the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. His way invites us to be light and to show love no matter the time, country, or political structure we are living under. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. That one is a little more puzzling, because that seems patently unfair [crosstalk] what Jesus is prescribing there. Scott Rae: So it sounds like what you're suggesting is, if we looked at this on a continuum of pure socialism on one end and pure capitalism on the other, that most economies are mixed. It's just people helping people. He's just saying you've got more challenges. Luke traces Jesus' heritage all the way back to Adam. The Bible prescribes impartial justice, sound money and sanctions property. Lawrence Reed: Yeah, good way to put it. So Acts 4. They bring it to the church. - Thessalonians 3:10 I said to them, "If it is good in. Scott Rae: Well, let's first define what you mean by socialism so that we're all on the same page as we begin this discussion. Neither are markets anywhere condemned, only the sinful actions of those abusing others. To help you convince them that Jesus was a passionate supporter of a centralized economy, totalitarian state, and redistribution of wealth, look no further than these 10 indisputable proofs: 1.) They've gone the other direction and found it wanting. And I would have not picked these two parables to teach capitalism or socialism but they are used over and over again. Scott Rae: that would be the main thing. But that's not necessarily true. Christian socialism - Wikipedia 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, That's not enough of a definition. It stops perpetual poverty. But he'd say that about a lot of things. 6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. As shown previously, Christianity and Marxism share little similarity. If acknowledging his divinity, dont diminish it be remaking his mission into yours. So he gives one of them five talents and one of them two talents and one of them one talent. Well let's face it, both systems are fatally flawed. Democrats are following in His footsteps, still performing this miracle today.10.) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Communalism if private and voluntary can certainly reflect Christianity well, but will inevitably collide with human nature. Its fascinating how frequently modern dilettantes re-make Christ in their image via Matthew 25. Either these essential lessons are torn from context transforming Christ into favored worldly philosophers, or this man who changed history contradicted himself within the span of several sentences. Lawrence Reed: I'm very glad you started with that question, Scott, because the views of what socialism is are all over the lot. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Read Chapter All Versions Matthew 23:12 This is not a model of how governments, civil governments, are to be run. It's the parable of the talents. Socialism is immoral because it is government-sanctioned theft. The third guy did an even better job at investing it and has 10 times as much. Be mindful of it. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Scott Rae: He couldn't have done any of that. A socialist would never come to that conclusion. Bible verses related to Socialism from the King James Version (KJV) by Book Order. Scott Rae: All right, let's go to the early church. And Jesus says, "Assuredly, I say to you in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me." Dr. Lawrence Reed is President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, having served also as professor of economics and founder of Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Amen!!!! It may have been easier if God gave us hard and fast rules on how to accomplish that when it comes to politics but what he does tell us is that if we seek him for wisdom, he will give it to us (James 1:5). So many times as I scroll through my Facebook or Instagram feeds I see terms like they all are socialist or they all are racist to negatively generalize an entire half of our nation. Recently, we have seen the term socialist attached to anyone who is promoting policies that support social welfare programs. But some people mistakenly claim that Scandinavia is socialist, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway. Now that didn't mean that might raise them to the same standard, but they didn't starve. The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?" John 8:25 It's pretty obvious, because we heard a college professor say so one time. Socialism does the job it's supposed to do No matter how poorly or how well, it does it through coercion, through force. The ancient Roman republic went the welfare state path. I mean, the guy needed more workers, and to get them at the end of the day, he had to pay what he had to to attract the workers. And in this parable what we have is a master that's going away and he brings his servants together. The authorities that exist have been established by God. He doesn't say to the man in need, "Oh, well, you need to find a social worker," or, "Maybe there's a government program for you," or, "I'll drop in a word with the emperor to come back and do something for you." If you could go back to the Romans and say, you know, you started out with good intentions when you started the grain dole and the other handouts. Once again someone makes a bad decision, someone messes up really bad, they lose their land, they don't take care of it, and that could trap people in poverty for hundreds of years. We also see that He taught that it was a moral responsibility to take care of the widows and the poor. Again, it's all a matter of how you obtained your wealth and what you do with it. Does God Care about My Financial Problems? And here's where some go to talk about this in Acts 4. Close behind would be places like Cuba or Venezuela. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It ought to inform our very essence. Jesus actually was thanking them for their valuable redistributive services.9.) He comes back later, and he finds that one man has not magnified the wealth in any way. For believers, when voting, advocating, and speaking about politics, we have the filter of biblical truth to consider. Scott Rae: But Jesus did advocate what I would refer to as extreme voluntary generosity, where his followers were pretty clearly mandated to hold all their possessions pretty loosely. I actually thought when this person said that they paid a 50% tax rate that that discussion would be over. You want an inner change. He has served in a variety of teaching and leadership roles, including a term as president of the Evangelical Theological Society in 2015. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! It says, "Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own. Jesus, never voted or formed a political party is fact and never, will!!! I paid you what I offered, and you accepted. In the case of the parable of the talents, he tells the story of a man who is leaving his estate for a time. I have to even this up. Even the poorest in America generally have more than anyone save perhaps the dictators inner circle where governments enforce equality. Nowhere in Scripture are states tasked with leveling wealth. But keep in mind too that even in those Scandinavian countries, that consensus has evolved over the years. Likewise, capitalists espouse Proverbs and various idioms found throughout the epistles. I recently got into a minor facebook spat after a friend (who Im sure will identify themselves here if they want to) posted a link from the Washington Post, arguing rather convincingly that if Jesus returned hed be none to impressed at conservative Americans and pointing out the strange disconnect between denying biological evolution and embracing evolutionary economics.
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