Christian's economics theories....

[Sand Wind]

Last edited Tue Dec 3, 2013, 09:24 PM - Edit history (1)

About this post :

Tea party activist: ‘Jesus Christ is weeping in heaven’ over pope’s criticism of capitalism' [View all]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=661692

So there is that debate :

Is Jesus for a "planified distribution of wealth" or is he closer to the RW point of view, that mean let that to individual choice ?

I notice that there is here, in DU, some very educated Christians. I read some part of the Bible years ago, but I'm not a Christian. But I really like to see what kind of argument and Bible's citations you can provide related to that question.

And let me play the devil side advocate

Thank's !

[rug]

1. Acts 4:32-35

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 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. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

[Sand Wind]

2. Would you read that to be an example for Christians as Christians, or only for the Apostles and

Extra-socials communities like the monks and other ?

[rug]

4. I take it as an example for every human being.

As I do this:

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." - Critique of the Gotha Programme

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/ch01.htm

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

13. A similar sentiment

is in St. Benedict of Nursia's Rule. St. Benedict was the man who set up the Benedictine monks.

[Warpy]

3. Oh, he accepted the fact that there were rich and poor

He just said that if you wanted to follow him--to be a proper Christian--that you had to give your money to the poor.

He didn't think much of your chances in getting to heaven, otherwise.

[Sand Wind]

9. See #7

[msongs]

5. camel -> eye of needle vs rich man -> heaven. sounds pretty clear to me nt

[Sand Wind]

7. Yes but is this a planified distribution of wealth, or an individual injunction ?

Because the RW position is that must be an individual choice to go in paradise or else...and not a state or community choice.

[hrmjustin]

6. I think Jesus was very clear about rich people having trouble getting into heaven.

[Sand Wind]

8. See #7

[hrmjustin]

10. Yes that post sums it up.

[Sand Wind]

11. Sorry I mean #7

[hrmjustin]

12. It is for the person and the church as a group.

If a politician who is Christian claims he is bringing his faith to his or her politics then that politician should not be advocating RW policy.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

14. I think the Bible passages you want are

Luke 6:24, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation."

Luke 18:18-25 (the same story is told in Matthew 19:16-22)

A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

James 5:1-6

Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Listen! The wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts on a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

Ezekiel 7:19 "They shall fling their silver into the streets, their gold shall be treated as unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. They shall not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling-block of their iniquity."

[Sand Wind]

16. Thanks !

[cbayer]

15. I think the first response in the linked thread says it all.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=661696

[trotsky]

18. It sure does.

More than you want to acknowledge, probably.

"WTF does the Pope know about the Bible?"

Well, most DUers would say that outside the "taking care of the poor" thing, not much. Thankfully.

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. I would take a look behind door number 3...

I haven't heard a compelling argument for either proposition. The right completely ignores the anti-materialist message of the New Testament while the left neglects the apocalypticism of the whole thing. Sure, Jesus charged his followers with providing for the poor, but he also demanded they live ascetic lifestyles, dependent upon the charity of others for the necessities of life. The well-being of the poor was at best a secondary consideration here; Jesus implored his followers to give up their possessions not out of consideration for the have-nots, but because he taught that material possessions distract one from his or her true calling: the glorification of God.

Jesus' schtick was pretty simple: the world's coming down tomorrow, so you'd better get right with God or prepare yourself for the lake of fire. Forget your job, your hobbies, your friends... hell, even your families. They only get in the way.

[trotsky]

19. Great point. n/t

[Sand Wind]

20. very great compréhensive post. Tanks!

You have the final Word. I will cite it. Tanks