no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HoWqqoNdIE

A fascinating discussion between two scholars on both economics and the Bible teachings

fiatlux

Yes, he was, but no he wasn't.

fiatlux

The idiotic labeling does Christ a huge disservice. Truth says care for "the least of these," and how that is done is a practical matter.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Socialism is a system of government where the state manages all means of production, dictates what can be made, what salaries can be paid, and seriously limits the private property any one can have. By taing heavily those who have earned more money to give to the people who have less and are in the government's favor. this system reduces everyone to the lowest level, and discourage anyone from working hard and making more money that their neighbor. Countries that have such managed economies find that no one is willing to work hard because there is no reward. Jesus advocated that each of us give of our own time and money to help those who are not as well off. Jesus did not ever advocate that the government confiscate your property and allow the government to redistribute it to the chosen ones in their favor. No, Jesus was not a socialist. He told us to help the poor because we love them, not to hand money to a force that will redistribute it to their chosen ones. That is a form of control that only breeds hate, as it is not based in love.

fiatlux

Socialism has an exact worldly definition that has nothing to do with the kingdom of God. The Christ message is about truth, not politics, and the basic truth of that message is to love and care "for the least of these." And if God, according to Romans13, puts the governing authorities in place, then the love and care of "the least of these" is the primary business of any government--and by that alone will it be judged.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

The love and care of the least of these is the responsibility of people not governments. most of the world's governments are dictatorships, socialist states or European socialist regimes which are diametrically opposite to what Jesus wants us to do. God does not put governments in place, people do, often by force.

fiatlux

If God puts these governments in place and his son says our primary purpose and how we will be judged depends on the care of "the least of these," then that is the responsibility of government and on what that nation will be judged. Republicans disagree with what is both basic to Christ's message and salvation: the widows and orphans, the hungry and thirsty, are on their own.