Jesus was a socialist, period
Since Christianity is based upon Christs New Testament life, logically speakingno one can claim an economics which defies Christs teachings, or Biblical doctrine, should still be called Christian. Given the Bibles scope and length, one cannot exhaustively treat any subject in such a short article. Yet, the Bibles remarkably consistent across all 66 books means that to study a thematic section is to gain holographic understanding of the whole.
~The following headings in bold are socialist ideals which are then contrasted to biblical verses~
1. Socialism Holds There is No Private Property, the State Owns All: In Socialism, government holds all right to property ownership, even if all goods are not yet confiscated. But did Jesus really oppose property rights?
Consider: Exodus 20:15, 17You shall not steal, and You shall not covet
anything belonging to your neighbor.
Also: John 10:10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy
Analysis: The Ten Commandments form the center of the Old and New Testament law. Rules against theft and coveting, contained therein, demand pre-existing private property rights. Knowing this, would Christ then still insist government had exclusive legal claim to all property? Yet, even if government did own all property, would the Bible writers position that the state would wisely allocate property according to Christs standards?
2. Socialism Ignores Laziness: Socialism financially supports those refusing to work. So does the Bible teach that those avoiding to toil should still be paid?
Consider: Proverbs 6:6-8Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Also: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every idle brother, not living according to our teaching. You ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyones food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.
Analysis: This question covers a key issue of the debate. Would the Apostles teach that those refusing to work should not receive church aid, yet were still eminently worthy of government welfare? (Those truly unable to work were supported by the early Church: James 1:27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows
)
3. Socialism Teaches All Authority Belongs to Government: Does Christ teach all earthly authority is to be transferred to secular governments?
Consider: In John 19:8-11, Pilate asks, Dont you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus replied, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above
Also: Daniel 2:20-21Blessed be the name of God
he removes kings, and sets up kings
Again: In Acts 4:19-20, when the Apostles were ordered to stop evangelizing, they responded, Judge for yourselves whether it is right in Gods sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.
Analysis: The Bible teaches God appoints governments, so does it follow He allows His people to capitulate this authority to atheist regimes? If so, we must believe Jesus asks His disciples to obey a new political priesthood whose activities makes the Church redundant, and His own works irrelevant. Does this notion seem logically coherent? And as seen in the previous Acts verses, the Bible teaches a divine mandate exists above secular law. Are not Christians held to follow Jesus teachings above human law?
4. Socialism is a Branch of Humanism: Since socialism is an atheistic, humanistic philosophical system, would Jesus accept it?
Consider: Romans 12:2Dont conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
to test and approve what Gods will is
Analysis: This passage seems to reject human-based values, suggesting humanism is incompatible with Jesus teachings.
5. Socialism Seeks a Heaven on Earth: Does the Bible call man to build an earthly paradise via government?
Consider: Revelations 21:1-4Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Analysis: Doesnt the Bible portray Heaven, or the New Jerusalem, arriving after the return of Christ, as a perfect city? If Paradise does come to earth, will it really be delivered by secular atheists using Marxist doctrines?
6. Socialism Allows No Freedom of Action or Expression: Does the Bible ask Believers to surrender God-given freedoms to bureaucrats?
Consider: Galatians 5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Also: 2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Analysis: Didnt Christ gave His disciples freedom in order to better follow His teachings? If so, does this freedom then simply get handed over to a secular governments? Regardless, history has shown socialism and communism have enslaved billions around the world.
7. In Socialism, the State Replaces Church: Should the church step aside to allow government to fulfill the task of helping the poor and downtrodden, and many other biblical duties?
Consider: In Matthew 22:15-21, Christ says, Give to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods.
Analysis: Jesus separates civil government and church. From a Christian perspective, can government simply replace the church? Could it ever have that authority; and if so, based upon what?! When government takes over Church mandated roles, like feeding the poor, etc, can it do so on a biblical model, or achieve Christs goals? And if government uses the Bible as model, doesnt this destroy the wall of separation between church and state?
8. Claims that Jesus Hated Capitalism: Didnt Christ express disgust at capitalist excesses at the Temple?
Consider: Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. It is written, he said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.
Analysis: This verse focuses on dishonest hypocrites defrauding religious seekers in the Temple. Jesus was angry at the misuse of His Fathers house for sordid gain. Is it therefore reasonable to suggest Christ is putting down all trade in this passage?