I would not claim to wholly comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of various economic systems (though it would be interesting to evaluate which systems have had the most longevity and whether free-market capitalism [or whatever system it is we currently operate under–Keynesian inflationism, interventionism, corporatism as Ron Paul says] has had a long enough run to truly demonstrate it’s impact upon a world economy)…but on an intuitive level, I have a serious mistrust for anyone who says THEIR system is the best, which probably means more that they like the effect it has on THEM and reflects the way that they view what OTHERS should have to do as well, whether they like it or not.
It is because of our inherent selfishness that I think we need to see what scripture has to say from an objective standpoint (although, of course, one could argue about interpretive principles, isogesis, etc.). Does scripture affirm the “conservative” economic philosophy? If God were to give instructions on what an economy should look like, which system would HE choose?
I am actually proposing this as a question, not merely as a set-up to make my own point. Are there books which work toward some sort of answer to this question? I’d be willing to read something which took up this question, even though I am loathe to spend my time reading something practical and actual when I could spend my limited reading hours in something beautiful and fictional.
My own limited, unresearched and unreflected first thoughts on this question (is this not how blogs work?) go to Israel (“God created only one country in the history of the world: ancient Israel. He did not create America. The United States is not the new Israel.” –D. James Kennedy qtd. in Christianity Today, Nov. 2008). What did the economic system that God outlined for Israel look like?
-Somewhere in the book of Leviticus we read about the Year of Jubilee…here’s one view on the economic implications of the Jubilee concept: The Bible recognizes that inequalities will inevitably arise in “fallen” society—a realism it shares with the worldview of modern capitalism. Unlike the social Darwinism of the latter, however, the biblical vision refuses to stipulate that injustice is therefore a permanent condition. Instead, God’s people are instructed to dismantle, on a regular basis, the fundamental patterns and structures of stratified wealth and power, so that there is “enough for everyone.”
-Also in Leviticus, we see the commandment of mandatory charity: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19.9-10).
These are two examples that come to mind of God’s economic system. However, I realize that these were part of a theocratic government…which we no longer have. So what do I make of God setting up these practices for the nation where he ruled:
A. It was only intended for that time and that people and has no relevance to today.
B. There are principles of thoughful charity we may derive therein, but we should not try to model an economic system after this example.
C. If possible, we should intend to emulate the principles of this example in whatever economic system we promote as Christians in the world.
Thoughts?
MARK ADDS: I would just point out that economics is not a zero sum game where things need to be broken down so there is “enough for everyone.” Wealth is created and grows so in a capitalist society everyone can benefit, and not necessarily at the expense of the wealthy. And as far as charity goes, I would like to hear about the controlled economies that contain more charitable individuals then those in free economies.
GREG ADDS: Do you know of a good book that builds some of these arguments from scripture? That’s kind of what I was looking for. Not so much pragmatic observations, but rather biblical interpretation (ergo, calling this “God’s Economic System”.
Josh
Greg
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Mr. Mike
Mark
Dude Man
Criticism As Inspiration 