Socialist Jesus?

[MPHJackson]

While reading the Bible, I noticed hints of Socialism in the New Testament and even the Old Testament. Jesus says 'Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless'. In Luke 3:11, it says "And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”. It is possible that, despite association with Conservatives, it is entirely possible that Christianity is a Socialist faith.

 

[YmirGF]

While reading the Bible, I noticed hints of Socialism in the New Testament and even the Old Testament. Jesus says 'Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless'. In Luke 3:11, it says "And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”. It is possible that, despite association with Conservatives, it is entirely possible that Christianity is a Socialist faith.

I don't know if one can seriously equate the inherent mediocrity of socialism with the work and message of Jesus. I do understand that many socialists feel a need to make themselves feel better after the dismal showing of socialism wherever it has been adopted.

 

[George-ananda]

I think humanitarianism as Jesus teaches can be part of a capitalist or socialist system or a mixed systems (as in the western world today). The quality of hearts and minds is more important than the system.

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

I don't know if one can seriously equate the inherent mediocrity of socialism with the work and message of Jesus. I do understand that many socialists feel a need to make themselves feel better after the dismal showing of socialism wherever it has been adopted.

Let me guess: you think socialism means state ownership?

 

[Valjean]

Of course Jesus was a socialist. His band lived together, pooled resources and shared a common purse (Judas held it, I believe). He was always preaching socialist values, but, of course much of the rest of the Bible advocates socialism, as well, so this was nothing new.

 

[Acim]

While reading the Bible, I noticed hints of Socialism in the New Testament and even the Old Testament. Jesus says 'Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless'. In Luke 3:11, it says "And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”. It is possible that, despite association with Conservatives, it is entirely possible that Christianity is a Socialist faith.

I would say yes. It is possible.

Socialism, as I understand it is political and economic theory. What that theory entails (i.e. the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole) is akin to 'the Way' that Jesus was advocating for, or what Christ Love is advocating for. Minus the political and economic emphasis. It is clearly a spiritual emphasis, and clearly not meant to promote faith in materialism. So, other than those differences, yep, a lot like socialism. LOL. As long as capitalism is hung up on material goods (and/or services), I'd say the same thing. I see the 'politics' of Christianity as telling anyone that is paying attention to be unconcerned with the essence (or substances) of this world. Not necessarily ignore them as they can be used as teaching tools, but are not really related to ownership of what God/Christ lay claim to.

 

[sun rise]

The word 'socialism' is much broader than what many people thing. There is such a thing as 'libertarian socialism' for example. As far as Christian socialism goes, I found the wikipedia article to be helpful https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_socialism

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

He taught religious communism and the early Church lived in what were basically communes, more specifically.

 

[Augustus]

While reading the Bible, I noticed hints of Socialism in the New Testament and even the Old Testament. Jesus says 'Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless'. In Luke 3:11, it says "And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”. It is possible that, despite association with Conservatives, it is entirely possible that Christianity is a Socialist faith.

I'd say ascetic rather than socialist. It's not so much about redistribution, but avoiding attachment to money and worldly goods.

The prosperity theology of certain (generally US) Protestants seems absolutely anathema to this.

 

[idav]

No Jesus wasn't about sharing he was about getting rid of possessions.

Its the church that was socialist who were more than happy to take the possessions of the followers of jesus, see Acts.

 

[Valjean]

2 Corinthians 8:13-15
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Acts 2:44-45
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 30 helpful votes
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Acts 4:32-35 ESV / 28 helpful votes
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Luke 3:11 ESV / 20 helpful votes
And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

1 John 3:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Matthew 19:21 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Luke 18:22-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

The Book's full of socialist, hippie rhetoric like this. Jesus was just a Hippie latecomer.
Any 'Christian' Pastor who preaches against Socialism or in favor of Capitalist exploitation is clearly serving "the other side."

I'm reminded of Gandhi's statement:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

 

[Laika]

While reading the Bible, I noticed hints of Socialism in the New Testament and even the Old Testament. Jesus says 'Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless'. In Luke 3:11, it says "And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”. It is possible that, despite association with Conservatives, it is entirely possible that Christianity is a Socialist faith.

In fairness, Socialism is a 19th century political ideology (which can be traced back to the French Revolution to an extent) that has limited applications retrospectively in much the same way as calling Jesus a capitalist or a liberal or anarchist, etc. In practical terms, The world is simply too different back then for "socialism" to mean anything politically relevant or important. It is really a reappropriation of Jesus' ideas to fit current political thinking and not the other way round.

I don't know if one can seriously equate the inherent mediocrity of socialism with the work and message of Jesus. I do understand that many socialists feel a need to make themselves feel better after the dismal showing of socialism wherever it has been adopted.

Greetings Capitalist Lackey! Are you enjoying our public roads, street lights and garbage collection so you can drive safely at night and don't live in your own filth?

Perhaps you've sampled some of our finest clean drinking water that goes through the people's bodily functions at least five times to go from the toilet back to your tap? It truly is the People's Water!

You're welcome!

 

[Father Heathen]

I don't know if one can seriously equate the inherent mediocrity of socialism with the work and message of Jesus. I do understand that many socialists feel a need to make themselves feel better after the dismal showing of socialism wherever it has been adopted.

To be fair, When it comes to wealth and what one should do with it, Jesus' teachings tilt more toward socialism than they would capitalism. That said, I doubt Jesus would be peas in a pod with Che, Lenin, Mao, etc. Jesus was about being compelled by the heart to be selfless, compassionate, generous, etc., not because the state mandated it.

 

[arthra]

While reading the Bible, I noticed hints of Socialism in the New Testament and even the Old Testament. Jesus says 'Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless'. In Luke 3:11, it says "And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”. It is possible that, despite association with Conservatives, it is entirely possible that Christianity is a Socialist faith.

Well the sharing of resources does it seems to me to be found in the New Testament...Second chapter in the Book of Acts:

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

but this to me is more communitarian.. that is sharing of resources in the community rather than "socialism" as we understand it today..

Consider the modern definition:

a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism

Also you have various experiments in communitarianism by Christian groups such as among the Hutterites:

https://www.amazon.com/Hutterite-Beginnings-Communitarian-Experiments-Reformation/dp/0801862566

So in my view this is more communitarianism than socialism as we understand it today.

 

[YmirGF]

Let me guess: you think socialism means state ownership?

Actually, I have a rather good grasp of Socialism having been a Socialist for several years in my youth - then my brain matured.

Greetings Capitalist Lackey! Are you enjoying our public roads, street lights and garbage collection so you can drive safely at night and don't live in your own filth?

Perhaps you've sampled some of our finest clean drinking water that goes through the people's bodily functions at least five times to go from the toilet back to your tap? It truly is the People's Water!

You're welcome!

How peculiar, I never knew that none of those things existed prior to the advent of socialism. That said, I can't imagine a much more profoundly stupid picture to put in your post than that of the odious Joseph Stalin. A fascinating character, but no one in their right mind would want him ruling much more than a soda pop stand. BTW, I thought it was Capitalist Running Dog or is that a peculiarly Chinese trope? That said, it's rough being a 1%-er, but I suppose someone has to be. Thank goodness I had the foresight to fleece the pillocks (proletariat) in my working years. It so sucks to be me. Cake?

 

[metis]

2 Corinthians 8:13-15
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Acts 2:44-45
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 30 helpful votes
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Acts 4:32-35 ESV / 28 helpful votes
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Luke 3:11 ESV / 20 helpful votes
And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

1 John 3:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Matthew 19:21 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Luke 18:22-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

The Book's full of socialist, hippie rhetoric like this. Jesus was just a Hippie latecomer.
Any 'Christian' Pastor who preaches against Socialism or in favor of Capitalist exploitation is clearly serving "the other side."

I'm reminded of Gandhi's statement:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

The above post is truly a breath of fresh air as all too many tend to try and make Jesus into what they want him to be. Yes, he truly operated out of a socialist paradigm as did the apostles after he was executed. Three times in Acts, if my memory is correct, it says that they shared their earnings in common.

 

[metis]

Actually, I have a rather good grasp of Socialism having been a Socialist for several years in my youth - then my brain matured.

"Matured" or "manured"?

 

[metis]

To be fair, When it comes to wealth and what one should do with it, Jesus' teachings tilt more toward socialism than they would capitalism. That said, I doubt Jesus would be peas in a pod with Che, Lenin, Mao, etc. Jesus was about being compelled by the heart to be selfless, compassionate, generous, etc., not because the state mandated it.

Yes as the above were totalitarians, which really is an antithesis paradigm with how modern socialism started in the first place. Socialism was designed to put people first, not money nor the wealthy and powerful.

 

[YmirGF]

Yes as the above were totalitarians, which really is an antithesis paradigm with how modern socialism started in the first place. Socialism was designed to put people first, not money nor the wealthy and powerful.

Wow, "modern socialism" strikes me as an oxymoron. Strange, eh?

 

[YmirGF]

"Matured" or "manured"?

Having lived through 2 overtly socialist governments I quickly learned that most of their hopes, wishes and dreams are simply hot air.