I have another question. I guess it goes a little bit along with my question posted in the 7 Quick Takes Friday post from yesterday about faithful interpretation of scripture. (Apparently now that I've taken a 6 month hiatus from seminary I'm back to being interested in theological issues!) The professor I work for made a very interesting, albeit off handed, comment in class last Monday that has stayed with me all week. He said "socialism is a bad word in American Christianity. We hate the concept of it, we fight for our rights and our freedoms, and we are somehow determined to make our government a Christian government. Well folks, the first church in scripture we are given a glimpse of was a socialist church. Acts 2, they shared everything with one another, they provided equally for all. They "sold all their possessions and distributed the proceeds among all people." (Acts 2:45) That is a radically different view than we get from our churches and pews today. I admit, there's something about this view I don't like. I cringe and balk at the idea that 'my' posesssions will be taken away, or that the money I worked for might be redistributed to someone who couldn't work. We don't like this idea as Americans. We've been indoctrinated that what I have is mine, what I've worked for is mine, and if there is anything left over it's good to give to charity. But from scripture it looks like they gave to one another first. There is no democracy in scripture, anywhere. So to continue waving the banner that America's democratic way of doing things is the "Christian" way of running a government is mind boggling to me. If we are so set on being biblical in our way of thinking then how did we get to a place where we are SO far from the examples of community life than scripture gives? The Old Testament reminds us over and over again that the economic structures were set in place to care for "the widow, the orphan and the alien (immigrant) among you." That was the central issue in how life was structured in Israel. Acts 2 seems to build on that with the establishment of a church that was meant to care for all who entered its doors.
I'm curious if anyone else has thought through this? What do you think? Is the American 'democracy' really the best form of government for a truly Christian nation, or is it just that we happen to like it because it grants us our own liberties? Just a few musings for a Saturday morning!
I agree with your professor - first century Christianity closely resembles what we call socialism now, and I have long said the if the church was doing its job, we wouldn't need welfar. Yes, that is a hard ideal to embrace or pursue, because some people DO work the system, and it's rather disheartening to have your accomplishments and possessions stripped from you for "the common good." Buuuuut... sometimes Jesus' call is difficult and perplexing.
ReplyDeleteI've been known to say that Jesus was a socialist (something I heard from a priest once). I think it's true. Jesus was also a radical, so I find it fascinating that the dominant Christian political position in the US has become one of preserving the status quo.
ReplyDeleteThat said, one thing democracy is very good for is freedom of religion. While the US is a majority Christian country, I'm not sure I agree that it's a Christian country. And if we value religious freedom and tolerance, democracy may be the best way to go.
Democracy and socialism are by no means mutually exclusive. The first deals with how laws are made, while the second deals with how resources are distributed.
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