What percentage of capitalism and socialism can be traced in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Just wondering, I see many Christians on here,blasting their colleagues left right and Centre.are there values we need to learn in capitalism and others to abhor? likewise in socialism?since it is said that human beings are social beings?
Most philosophers through the centuries have believed that history is shaped by ideas, the pursuit of actual reality, or human reason. But there is one famous philosopher who instead argued that the driving factor behind all of human history is economics. Karl Marx was born to German Jewish parents in 1818 and received his doctorate at age 23. He then embarked on a mission to prove that human identity is bound up in a person’s work and that economic systems totally control a person. Arguing that it is by his labor that mankind survives, Marx believed that human communities are created by the division of labor.
Marx studied history and concluded that people had for hundreds of years been more agriculturally oriented and that society had been based on agrarianism. But the Industrial Revolution was a game–changer, in Marx’s mind, because those who had freely worked for themselves were now forced by economics to work in factories instead. This, Marx felt, stripped away their dignity and identity because their labor defined who they were, and now they were reduced to mere slaves controlled by a powerful taskmaster. This perspective meant that the economics of capitalism was the natural enemy of Marx.
Marx surmised that capitalism emphasized private property and, therefore, reduced ownership to the privileged few. Two separate “communities” emerged in Marx’s mind: the business owners, or the bourgeoisie; and the working class, or the proletariat. According to Marx, the bourgeoisie use and exploit the proletariat with the result that one person’s gain is another person’s loss. Moreover, Marx believed that the business owners influence the lawmakers to ensure their interests are defended over the workers’ loss of dignity and rights. Last, Marx felt that religion is the “opiate of the masses” which the rich use to manipulate the working class; the proletariat are promised rewards in heaven one day if they keep working diligently where God has placed them (i.e., subservient to the bourgeoisie).
In the earthly utopia Marx envisioned, the people collectively own everything and all work for the common good of mankind. Marx’s goal was to end the ownership of private property through the state’s ownership of all means of economic production. Once private property was abolished, Marx felt that a person’s identity would be elevated and the wall that capitalism supposedly constructed between the owners and working class would be shattered. Everyone would value one another and work together for a shared purpose.
However, there are at least four errors in Marx’s thinking. First, his assertion that another person’s gain must come at another person’s expense is a myth; the structure of capitalism leaves plenty of room for all to raise their standard of living through innovation and competition. It is perfectly feasible for multiple parties to compete and do well in a market of consumers who want their goods and services.
Second, Marx was wrong in his belief that the value of a product is based on the amount of labor that is put into it. The quality of a good or service simply cannot be determined by the amount of effort a laborer expends. For example, a master carpenter can more quickly and beautifully make a piece of furniture than an unskilled craftsmen, and therefore his work will be valued far more (and correctly so) in an economic system such as capitalism.
Third, Marx’s theory necessitates a government that is free from corruption and negates the possibility of elitism within its ranks. If history has shown anything, it is that power corrupts fallen mankind, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. A nation or government may kill the idea of God, but someone will take God’s place. That someone is most often an individual or group who begins to rule over the population and seeks to maintain their privileged position at all costs.
Fourth and most importantly, Marx was wrong that a person’s identity is bound up in the work that he does. Although secular society certainly forces this belief on nearly everyone, the Bible says that all have equal worth because all are created in the image of the eternal God. That is where true, intrinsic human value lies.
Was Marx right? Is economics the catalyst that drives human history? No, what directs human history is the Creator of the universe who controls everything, including the rise and fall of every nation. In addition, God also controls who is put in charge of each nation, as Scripture says, “The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men” (Daniel 4:17). Further, it is God who gives a person skill at labor and the wealth that comes from it, not the government: “Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:18–19).
Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions
By: Elmer L. Towns
http://www.christianbook.com/bible-answers-almost-all-your-questions/elmer-towns/9780785263241/pd/63241?event=AFF&p=1011693&
Approximately 0%
The percentage of holy idiocy and goofy stuff that can be traced to the gospel of Jesus Christ is actually higher.
.
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Absolutely none.
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Hello,
None; these social philosophies came in the 18th and 19th centuries. Christ never asked the Roman Empire to be a welfare state but he told each of us as individuals must look after out neighbour.
Cheers,
Michael Kelly
References :
Not much in the way of socialism. He endorses venture capitalism – see the parable of the talents, the ‘pearl of great price’ and other references. He also condemns Judas for suggesting that his stash of expensive perfume be sold to raise money for the poor ‘The poor are with you always’ he sneers!
It is true he was a violent revolutionary – he tells his followers to buy swords and states that he is here to bring war, not peace. He also condemns family values, saying you can not follow him unless you hate your parents. However, post revolution he wants to introduce not a socialist system but a theological hierarchy.
All of this is there in the ‘gospels’ and thumbing down won’t erase it!
References :
Jesus absolutely taught Socialist principles:
Luke 14:33 — "…any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be my disciple."
AND
Matthew 19:21 — Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
And in the early church, they practiced actual Socialism:
"All that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
(Acts 2:44-45)
"There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas. He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet."
(Acts 4:34-37)
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Atheist.
Well Jesus was a Socialist because he shared everything with the poor.
-Bill
References :
God is against socialism and communism. We all earn what we deserve, that is fair.
The bible says:
"2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Capitalism is the way God wants it to be.
"Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
References :
Socialism? No. The people are supposed to be there for the people. In other words it is the Church’s’ responsibility to take care of the ones in need. Government is to take care of the laws and to protect the people. Capitalism is encouraged for did not Paul himself say that he worked for his shelter and food? If you don’t work you don’t eat.
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None.
The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God and His supreme love.
If you cannot see that then you are blinded by the god of this world, evidenced by the worldly philosophies which you refer to.
References :
The call to love one’s enemies and do good to those who mistreat you outsocialses the socialists.
Scripture certainly led me to socialism.
References :
Most philosophers through the centuries have believed that history is shaped by ideas, the pursuit of actual reality, or human reason. But there is one famous philosopher who instead argued that the driving factor behind all of human history is economics. Karl Marx was born to German Jewish parents in 1818 and received his doctorate at age 23. He then embarked on a mission to prove that human identity is bound up in a person’s work and that economic systems totally control a person. Arguing that it is by his labor that mankind survives, Marx believed that human communities are created by the division of labor.
Marx studied history and concluded that people had for hundreds of years been more agriculturally oriented and that society had been based on agrarianism. But the Industrial Revolution was a game–changer, in Marx’s mind, because those who had freely worked for themselves were now forced by economics to work in factories instead. This, Marx felt, stripped away their dignity and identity because their labor defined who they were, and now they were reduced to mere slaves controlled by a powerful taskmaster. This perspective meant that the economics of capitalism was the natural enemy of Marx.
Marx surmised that capitalism emphasized private property and, therefore, reduced ownership to the privileged few. Two separate “communities” emerged in Marx’s mind: the business owners, or the bourgeoisie; and the working class, or the proletariat. According to Marx, the bourgeoisie use and exploit the proletariat with the result that one person’s gain is another person’s loss. Moreover, Marx believed that the business owners influence the lawmakers to ensure their interests are defended over the workers’ loss of dignity and rights. Last, Marx felt that religion is the “opiate of the masses” which the rich use to manipulate the working class; the proletariat are promised rewards in heaven one day if they keep working diligently where God has placed them (i.e., subservient to the bourgeoisie).
In the earthly utopia Marx envisioned, the people collectively own everything and all work for the common good of mankind. Marx’s goal was to end the ownership of private property through the state’s ownership of all means of economic production. Once private property was abolished, Marx felt that a person’s identity would be elevated and the wall that capitalism supposedly constructed between the owners and working class would be shattered. Everyone would value one another and work together for a shared purpose.
However, there are at least four errors in Marx’s thinking. First, his assertion that another person’s gain must come at another person’s expense is a myth; the structure of capitalism leaves plenty of room for all to raise their standard of living through innovation and competition. It is perfectly feasible for multiple parties to compete and do well in a market of consumers who want their goods and services.
Second, Marx was wrong in his belief that the value of a product is based on the amount of labor that is put into it. The quality of a good or service simply cannot be determined by the amount of effort a laborer expends. For example, a master carpenter can more quickly and beautifully make a piece of furniture than an unskilled craftsmen, and therefore his work will be valued far more (and correctly so) in an economic system such as capitalism.
Third, Marx’s theory necessitates a government that is free from corruption and negates the possibility of elitism within its ranks. If history has shown anything, it is that power corrupts fallen mankind, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. A nation or government may kill the idea of God, but someone will take God’s place. That someone is most often an individual or group who begins to rule over the population and seeks to maintain their privileged position at all costs.
Fourth and most importantly, Marx was wrong that a person’s identity is bound up in the work that he does. Although secular society certainly forces this belief on nearly everyone, the Bible says that all have equal worth because all are created in the image of the eternal God. That is where true, intrinsic human value lies.
Was Marx right? Is economics the catalyst that drives human history? No, what directs human history is the Creator of the universe who controls everything, including the rise and fall of every nation. In addition, God also controls who is put in charge of each nation, as Scripture says, “The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men” (Daniel 4:17). Further, it is God who gives a person skill at labor and the wealth that comes from it, not the government: “Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:18–19).
Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions
By: Elmer L. Towns
http://www.christianbook.com/bible-answers-almost-all-your-questions/elmer-towns/9780785263241/pd/63241?event=AFF&p=1011693&
References :
TLS
What does Socialism have to do with being social human beings? There’s no capitalism or socialism message given by Jesus Christ in the gospels.
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what has this to do with Christianity? LOL
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