Socialism

Today is the primary election in South Carolina followed by Super Tuesday coming this week.  The chatter from all quarters is socialism – some rigorously promoting it and others vehemently opposing socialism with others in between.   What should we think?

First, a general statement taken from http://www.diffen.com:

The central arguments in the socialism vs. capitalism debate are about economic equality and the role of government.  Socialists believe economic inequality is bad for society, and the government is responsible for reducing it via programs that benefit the poor (e.g., free public education, free or subsidized healthcare, social security for the elderly, higher taxes on the rich). On the other hand, capitalists believe that the government does not use economic resources as efficiently as private enterprises do, and therefore society is better off with the free market determining economic winners and losers. The U.S. is widely considered the bastion of capitalism, and large parts of Scandinavia and Western Europe are considered socialist democracies. However, the truth is that every developed country has some programs that are socialist.  An extreme form of socialism is communism.

The United States’ government is not taken from a direct model or template found in the Bible, but there are a number of Biblical principles woven into our Constitution and our nation’s ways.  Some things that come to mind:

God gave His people rights/freedoms – Exodus 20:2.

The Garden Eden had limited government – only one internal rule – “Don’t eat”.

The Garden of Eden had much freedom within simple boundaries.

Isaiah 33:22 talks about three branches of government.

One nation – unity – oneness – equal under the law.

“Under God” – Commandments #1-3

Commandment #4 is about worker rights – they need a day of rest

Government is expected to have courts (I Corinthians 5:12, Commandment #9, Exodus 18) and to maintain order – police, fire, and armies (Romans 13:1-7).

Rule of Law – God at Mt. Sinai gave the nation Israel 10 laws and expected full and timely obedience (I Peter 2:13).  His laws dealt with murder, marriage, and stealing.  Laws protected life, the family, and private property.

Leader(s) – were recognized and to be submitted to (I Peter 2:14).

Commandment #10 means there were some wealthy and to those not, they were instructed to not covet.  Some were rich (“one percenters”) and they were not condemned.