Is Communism the biblically preferred system?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I've found the link between the political right and various Christian groups to be confusing, especially in light of the system set up by the Apostles as described in the Book of Acts, neatly summed up in Acts 4:32-35 (NIV):

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

To me, this passage speaks in quite positive terms about a community where property rights are negligible compared to communal good. In fact, later on in the book, Ananias and Sephira are struck down dead when they refuse to go along with this system by keeping some of the money from the sale of their own property, which to me strongly implies that the system is portrayed as being endorsed by God.

So... here's the question(s): according to the Bible, is Communism the preferred political system? Is it "un-Christian" to demand the right to individual property? How do current Christian groups reconcile support of capitalism with Acts?

 

[lilithu]

I've found the link between the political right and various Christian groups to be confusing, especially in light of the system set up by the Apostles as described in the Book of Acts, neatly summed up in Acts 4:32-35 (NIV):

To me, this passage speaks in quite positive terms about a community where property rights are negligible compared to communal good. In fact, later on in the book, Ananias and Sephira are struck down dead when they refuse to go along with this system by keeping some of the money from the sale of their own property, which to me strongly implies that the system is portrayed as being endorsed by God.

So... here's the question(s): according to the Bible, is Communism the preferred political system? Is it "un-Christian" to demand the right to individual property?

Yes, but good luck getting the vast majority of Christians to recognize this. You will be amused however by the explanations they give for why it doesn't pertain to them.

Isn't strange how so many conservative Christians are so vehemently pro-Capitalist, pro-individualist, pro-personal wealth? "Mine, mine, mine... how dare you take my money away with those taxes." The scriptures as recorded in Acts may be the most straight-forward but there are many other references in the bible that suggest that the hoarding of personal wealth was frowned upon by God.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

It would seem so... certainly for the main players.

 

[sojourner]

This is the same mind set that leads people to say, "I'm saved, but you're not." We are all part of one Body. There is only "us."

 

[lilithu]

This is the same mind set that leads people to say, "I'm saved, but you're not." We are all part of one Body. There is only "us."

Amen! :yes:

 

[MotoEric]

There is an interesting discussion about communism/capitalism and the Bible here:

http://www.tektonics.org/guest/bhcap01.htm

among other things discussed is this; which relates to the point made above:

Acts 4:32-35 is also used as support for economic equality:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There was no needy among them. For from time to time, those who owned lands or houses sold them, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”
The first thing that should be noted is that this process was voluntary, as the next pericope (Acts 5:1-10) very clearly shows. There, Ananias sells a piece of land and keeps some of the money for himself and his wife. He lays the rest down at the apostles’ feet, and Peter rebukes him, and he dies. But keeping some of the money was not his sin. Peter says to him,
“Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”Acts 5:4
His sin was in lying to the apostles and telling them that it was the full amount. He was under no obligation to sell the land, or to give all of the money to the apostles. It is also clear from the epistles that some members of the church had and retained estates that were large enough that they had slaves to manage them.




Eric

 

[ChristineES]

Since the person who thought up Communism was an Atheist (Karl Marx) I have to say that you are mistaken in this idea. But that is just my opinion.

Sharing something because you want to is different than sharing things because you have to.

 

[Comprehend]

So... here's the question(s): according to the Bible, is Communism the preferred political system?

If by "communism" you mean the political system espoused by Marx, then no. If you mean does God prefer that we have our goods in common, yes.

Is it "un-Christian" to demand the right to individual property?

No. It would be un-Christian to demand others give up their property. Nobody can be forced to live communally.

How do current Christian groups reconcile support of capitalism with Acts?

I don't know. My Christian group thinks communal living is the way to go, we call it the Law of Consecration and set up dozens of such communities when we settled Utah, it is the law given to us by God in the Doctrine and Covenants and we all are working towards communal living again (currently we all share roughly 15% of our income via tithing and other programs). However, we support agency and the laws of the land. We would never support forcing people to live communally like Communism does.

 

[Malach1]

I truly commend this post as it i unlike so many in that it truly looks upward i.e.- it seeks after that which is TRUE
Communism is a more biblical system than Capitalism as a way to distribute and redistribute wealth but as to the spiritual
Can communism tolerate a multi-cultural- multi-ecclesiastic populace?- i doubt- this therefore makes it a stumbling block for Christianity and the spread of "the Logos"

 

[Valjean]

The Hutterites, an Anabaptist sect, model their lives on the passages in Acts. They live in communal colonies. Almost all property, save such personals as toiletries, are held in common. Houses, vehicles, tools, land, food, businesses -- everything -- is community owned and assigned on the basis of need. Meals are taken in a communal dining hall.
Hutterites are in the world but not of it, as Christ intended.

The system works very well for them.

 

[Malach1]

The Hutterites are in the World you are correct and so they are- for if a man was to cast off the entirety of the place- he would be like a brand of fire i a field of dead einkorn- He would shake the very foundations of the eath till the Void sings and those in authority are dismayed
I know of no Hutterite who have done this

 

[Random]

I believe in Libertarian Socialism, so naturally I have had occasion to think of Biblical ideology in terms of that from time to time. Acts is, IMHO, describing a LS system of living.

 

[sojourner]

Take a good look at the Amish. They are communal in almost every sense of the word.

 

[Valjean]

The Amish are more co-operative than communal, I would say.

Unlike the truly communal Hutterites, they own their own houses, livestock, tools, furnishings, clothing, &c. Each family does its own shopping. Each family cooks for itself and eats in its own home.

 

[sojourner]

The Amish are more co-operative than communal, I would say.

Unlike the truly communal Hutterites, they own their own houses, livestock, tools, furnishings, clothing, &c. Each family does its own shopping. Each family cooks for itself and eats in its own home.

But they do live in community and share the work. I know its not classic communism, but it seems to work for them.
What about the Shakers? (I know, they're dead, but that doesn't have anything to do with communism.)

 

[Valjean]

I'm not criticizing the Amish lifestyle, sojourner. I'm just saying that there's more to communism/communalism than living in a community and sharing work.

The Shakers lived communally also, and, according to Wiki, they're "not quite dead" -- there are four remaining, in Maine.

 

[logician]

SInce capitalism is based upon greed, is Christianity a religion of greed?

 

[ChristineES]

Since capitalism is based upon greed, is Christianity a religion of greed?

I hate to say this, but there may be some so-called Christians who are swayed by greed. They are the ones who forget the first commandment-you will not any God before me. and not to mention Jesus statement about not being able to worship both God and mammon (wealth).

 

[Comprehend]

I hate to say this, but there may be some so-called Christians who are swayed by greed. They are the ones who forget the first commandment-you will not any God before me. and not to mention Jesus statement about not being able to worship both God and mammon (wealth).

What about the Prosperity Gospel christians?

I'll have to vote they are greedy.

 

[Valjean]

What about the Prosperity Gospel christians?

I'll have to vote they are greedy.

I'm waiting to see them follow the camels through the needle's eye....