Socialism and Spirituality?
Will we never learn from the
past? It seems that to ask the question is to answer it. Why do we forget the
people and philosophies of Marx, Chavez, Castro, Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao, Upton
Sinclair and and the carnage they engendered? Why do we forget the places and
histories of Russia, Cuba, Cambodia, Venezuela and the disaster that has been
brought upon millions of people? Why do we forget the damage of the Societies
of Fabianism, Communism and the American Socialist Labor society? Why do we
forget that socialism leads to a despotic regime of the strongest and results
in death of the weakest? It promises a utopia and provides like an undertaker.
Enter
today's manifestation under Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the oldest members
and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest member of the U.S.
Congress. Both desire that America take on the philosophy of Utopianism and a
political theory of Socialism.
Socialism is a political and
economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of
production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the
government as a whole. This was suggested by Marx to be the transitional
form of government between Capitalism and Communism. I suggest a brief
history lesson if you do not remember Alexander Solzhenitsyn and the
Gulags.
Many believe the spiritual
expression of "commonism" should lead to the manifestation of
secular communism. Do not be deceived. The early church did practice
"commonism" for a time (Acts 2) but it also taught ownership,
freedom and generous gracious giving. The Church did and does practice
"communalism." "Commonism" was descriptive of what they
did for a time and "communalism" is prescriptive of what the church
is to be at all times. Communism does not teach or practice either of these
virtues.
Political Socialism is based on
philosophical Utopianism. But we as Christians must have a Biblical realism.
We are reminded in Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12 of the ruinous fall of man. The
result is that we are fallen and finite and the situation is fatal. But enter
the King; for although we are fallen and it is fatal, it is not final.
"It is Finished" is the clarion call of Jesus from the cross that
sin is defeated and that we can be born again, united with the true King who
brought the only durable rumor of hope which is the kingdom of God.
Serving Him with you
Until
He comes for us,
Fred
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February 8, 2019