Comments on: 5 Reasons Capitalism is not Christian

By: Neale Adams

Neale Adams — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 01:21:52 +0000

Jesus wasn’t a politician. If he had been, he might not have been crucified. I think pointing how the coins of his day had Caesar’s image was his way of saying, I’m not talking about government, I’m talking about how we live together, especially under a cruel Imperial Rome, and one in which the Jewish Establishment of the day was forced to collaborate. (When that religious-political Establishment couldn’t control the population about 40 years later, in 70 A.D., the Roman response was devastating.)
One can be Christian — follow Christ — under Rome (though Jesus certainly didn’t use the word “Christian” since he was talking to Jews), under capitalism, under socialism, under whatever the dominant economic and political system happens to exist at a given time.
Mind you, it appears that what got Jesus arrested and crucified was his rage at the way the Temple’s money changing system worked to exploit the poor — and upsetting the money changers’ table must have seemed a political demonstration to many — certainly the Jewish and Roman authorities.
That I don’t think that Jesus wasn’t a politician doesn’t mean I feel we should avoid politics, though. In a democracy, people have to be involved. Christians should, however, be involved in such a way as to follow Jesus’ teachings, and have faith that God loves us and the world and direct us to act — politically and in all ways — in love for each other.

By: Hardy Loeffler

Hardy Loeffler — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:30:34 +0000

Usually I hesitate to comment online, since it mostly does not change anything (or anyone), but we are supposed to “Be the Change” (Zack Hunter)…First a reality check: You or I don’t have the power to institute anything different re. the world’s economics, politics etc. by merely discussing options and theories. As I see it, the only real way of change is to create a grassroots movement outside of the systems and powers of this world, like the yeast that alters the dough. It’s the Jesus way. What if the people of God would actually drop their petty differences and collaborate in all of life, like one big organism, one community (not commune!)? Form a network of communities for mutual help and counsel and sharing? Become a model that others can follow? Christianity transformed the world once in the beginning before it became institutionalized, it can do it again! Of course, it requires changed people, and that’s where real discipleship comes into focus. We need to unlearn the ways of the world. “Greed” for example. It seems to be a common thread in other comments. Greed stems from selfishness, like pride, obsessive self-preservation, entitlementitis, laziness, uncaring attitudes, just to mention a few. The new man of God has to go through a “metamorphosis” (see Romans 12) , a complete changeover to become useful in His kingdom. We need to start with the individual, from the ground up, not from the top down. The good news is: we all can work on that, in ourselves, and with others. — Here are a few additional thoughts on some of the topics mentioned by others: 1) If we actually begin to collaborate closely we can diminish the impact the systems (capitalist, socialist, communist, or any other …ist) have on us as individuals and as the community of God. Jesus gave us His “new commandment” to love one another; unconditionally, I might add. And as we become less dependent on capital and governments we have the time to grow relationships and expand, multiply if you will. 2) Competition for the follower of Christ is loaded with problems: By winning (the game, the job, the contract, the sales…) we automatically create losers, care more about our own advantage than the other person(s) involved. In my humble opinion that is not loving them at all. Paul admonished us to “consider others higher than ourselves”, which clearly flies in the face of competitiveness. 3) Money is never neutral. It is either used for good or evil. Even having it sit in the bank is questionable: where does the bank invest it, and does that institute/company act ethically with it according to God’s principles? Money under the pillow? I either earmark it for doing something good, or it sits idle, and Jesus has something severe to say about burying our talents! As I said, we have to do a lot of unlearning and rethinking…Lastly, I wrote more on these different topics, mostly in narrative form; and no, this isn’t a sales pitch! If anyone is interested to read more about a very different Christian approach, I can send you free copies. I never cared about the money… Just let me know…Bless you all!

By: Jay Marburger

Jay Marburger — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 09:56:09 +0000

In reply to Joshua K. I'm grappling with this, and your comment...wow! It has given me much to think about.

By: Erwin Wooten

Erwin Wooten — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:33:39 +0000

In reply to Ryan. So poverty is heaven?

By: Neale Adams

Neale Adams — Tue, 23 May 2023 17:20:03 +0000

I agree that capitalism, as practiced by many, is not anti-Christian. The question I have is whether capitalism can be Christian, or at least not anti-Christian.

Capitalism requires two things: 1) people with capital willing to spend it (or loan it) so that machinery and other things can be put to work to produce goods. The capitalist is rewarded for the use of his or her money with a return that the workers engaged do not get — they get wages. And it requires 2) a social structure that allows the system to exist, i.e., a legal ownership system, a financial system, a market where the capitalist’ products can be sold, policing to guard against theft, people willing to work for the capitalist (labour), etc.

Because the capitalist gets a return for the use of his or her capital, the capitalist will probably (though not necessarily) amass more wealth than the workers. Unless a Christian society requires complete equality of all, I don’t see that as in itself anti-Christian. Others may.

As for competition and greed, I don’t think competition, if fair and not excessive, is moral — trying to produce the best possible product for the most people. Greed is wrong in any system, but I don’t see why it is necessarily part of a capitalist system.

In other words, I think a “Christian” capitalism is possible, though admittedly rare.

By: Devin

Devin — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:16:04 +0000

Give To Caesar What Is Caesar’s. The structure of government or economic situation is a “non-important” issue in Life with the Holy Spirit. Through Yah’s guidance (Just as He led the Israelites into armed battles where similar to capitalism, the weak suffered and the strong survived.), Spirit led followers have the POWER OF YAH to maneuver through ANY Governmental Climate to accomplish His Will. I feel the question shouldn’t be, “Is Capitalism compatible with Christianity?”, rather, “How Can A Christian Filled With The Holy Spirit Excel In A Capitalistic Government?” We have yet to see what a Capitalistic Government would look like if it were led by LOVE and NOT GREED. It would look VERY different! Those Christians who would allow Yah to help them use their gifts, talents and skills to not only spread the Word, but also generate revenue for the Kingdom. Life is and always has been “dog eat dog”, and it’s written all throughout the bible. Capitalism as with weapons, technology, money are all “neutral” tools that can be used by evil or Good. So if a Christian wants to help the poor people in their community, they should USE capitalism to generate the income to do so. Although the Bible instructs us against LOVING MONEY it provides us Wisdom that we should pass wealth from generation to generation. With the understanding that We are only Stewards of Yah’s Earth and its valuables. The more the valuables are in the hands of the evil, the worse life will be on Earth. The more the valuables are in the hands of the Holy Spirit Led, the more Peace, Joy & Happiness there will be. It’s not up to the Government to “fairly” distribute wealth. It’s up to the PEOPLE to do what God has commanded! Want to fight against corrupt corporations? Then ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to start a corporation for God! David was a wise & wealthy Man of business and follower of God. Play the LOOOOOONG GAME! Yah is Eternal!

By: Devin

Devin — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 12:19:52 +0000

Socialism is a tradition and history of putting societies interests first in organizing and distributing basic needs and wants of a civilization. There have been many experiments that have yielded some success and failures. In the last century, democratically owned worker-cooperatives have been sought to end the oppression and preventable deaths of capitalism using a free-ish market. Jesus had no profit motive. Jesus lived communally like a communist. Yes, there have been variation in the expression of communism given capitalism endless fight to crush it and strengthen it’s control on global markets and world domination. For-profit healthcare that’s more expensive than the rest of the world with much worse outcomes from care. A market to decide the price of water, food, shelter, etc. Socialism at the workplace would be introducing democracy: one worker, one vote onn the major decisions of where to produce, how to do it, and what to do with the value generated. I’m sure workers wouldn’t vote to keep their Real wages similar to 1968 or end pensions and give a 1000 times more to the CEO than the lowest paying worker. Every year, millions die from capitalist war, climate change, and preventable disease. Why would a capitalist care about these things when they consider them externalities? Was this the language and idea of Jesus when he talked about compassion and righteous indignation? Here’s my new favorite site: https://christiansocialism.com/christian-socialism-statement/

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:29:59 +0000

I believe Scandinavia was socialist before 1970 and has become less and less socialist out of necessity. Fast forward to today (or when this article was written), no, Scandinavia is not socialist. Capitalism isn’t really a thing, it’s just what free people tend to do. If you want to get the most use out of something, let someone own it. Jesus would probably want us to give our labor freely and also greed is bad. However, individually I may choose to give something away or later I may choose to sell or trade something else, but that’s between me, that other guy, and God of course. The poor get the kingdom of heaven, but not if capitalism raises everyone out of poverty… then no one gets to heaven. Pffft

By: Lore

Lore — Sun, 23 Jan 2022 02:01:15 +0000

Julie Roys called Bernie Sanders a socialist. How I can I take anything else she writes seriously, when she obviously doesn’t understand the labels she brandies about?

By: Louis Schraader

Louis Schraader — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 23:43:07 +0000

Even though we as the body of Christ find ourseves in the world we are called and commanded by our Master to be different and be a light unto the world.
We cannot end with statement that capitalism is not according to the will of God but we have to be doers of the word and therefore seek the Spirit’s leading and act differently in the kingdom- in the body of Christ. It is possible but do we really seek the truth and the rule of Yeshua in our lives? It is a calling which is so demanding of all your mind, your soul and all your strength presenting itself as the love of God in our hearts. It will be as revolutionary as the first church described in acts that set the then powers of the world ablaze to the point that they did not know what to do with them but in some way or other to join them.
To get there this discussion needs to go to Christian main stream so that we can be transformed by the renewal of our minds.