One Sunday when I preached on how the Bible does not teach socialism, a woman said to me afterward, “I completely disagree with you.”
“Wonderful! What do you disagree with?”
She said, “I believe we are our brother’s keeper.”
I said, “I completely agree with you. I believe we are, too. The difference with you and me is I believe we are our brother’s keeper, and you believe that the government is our brother’s keeper.”
Her mouth fell open, and she walked out without saying another word. That concept is the difference between Christianity and socialism.
—D. James Kennedy—
Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.
—John Wesley—
Key point: While the Bible isn’t primarily a book on economics, all it says that touches on economic activity and economic systems should be carefully heard and heeded. Did the early Christians practice socialism? How did their “experiment” as recorded in the first few chapters of Acts turn out? When we properly understand what happened and what the Bible teaches about these matters, we are not left to wonder.
To access additional Word Foundations articles on social justice, go here.
Often Acts 2:44-45 and 4:34-35 are used by advocates of socialism and “social justice” in making the case that the Bible teaches socialism. But does it?
Let’s first determine what we mean by socialism. Let’s also define the related terms communism and Marxism, and the contrasting term capitalism, or free enterprise. Then let’s examine what the Scriptures have to say.
- Socialism is “an economic system based upon governmental or communal ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods and services.”1
- Socialism is a component of Marxism, which is “an atheistic and materialistic worldview based on the ideas of Karl Marx that promotes the abolition of private property, public ownership of the means of production (i.e., socialism), and the utopian dream of a future communistic state.”2
- Communism is “the Marxist ideal of a classless and stateless utopian society in which all property is commonly owned and each person is paid according to his or her abilities and needs.”3
- Capitalism or free enterprise is “an economic system in which capital assets are privately owned, and the prices, production, and distribution of goods and services are determined by competition within a free market.”4
In our discussion, it also will be helpful to remember one more definition, one we highlighted in last week’s post. Social justice,
also known as economic justice, is a term describing the redistribution of wealth supposedly for the common good of all. However, this comes at the expense of wage earners and liberty by demanding a society to conform. Those who work and have must give to those who don’t work and don’t have.
As we indicated in a previous post, the social justice movement (and, we might add, socialism and all other related economic systems) are “obsessed with equal outcomes at the expense of equal opportunities.”
I trust that even from these definitions alone, you can see the clear connection between social justice and socialism, as well as ways social justice and socialism are related to Marxism and communism. An economic system resting on the principles of free enterprise capitalism stands as a safeguard against socialism, Marxism, and communism. Yet we cannot take anything for granted. Social justice propaganda often is used as a battering ram to weaken a society’s resolve against these three, none of which has worked in any society in history, wherever it has been tried (go here, here and here).
Social justice propaganda often is used as a battering ram to weaken a society’s resolve against socialism, Marxism, and communism, none of which has worked in any society in history, wherever it has been tried.
The Bible Speaks
Now let’s carefully examine what the Scriptures have to say.
The passages in Acts to which we already have referred are provided below in bold type, along with some surrounding verses to establish the larger context.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words he [Peter] testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Beyond these verses in Acts 2 and 4, Acts 3:1–4:31, 5:1-11, and 6:1-7 also are pertinent to our discussion. Further, we will not fully understand what transpired in the early church without being reminded of the Eighth and Tenth Commandments in Exodus 20:15,17. This means that the entire larger picture of what occurred and its underpinnings can be found in Exodus 20:15,17; Acts 2:40–5:11; and 6:1-7.
Light from the Scriptures
Through His written Word, God gives for us countless nuggets of truth regarding a host of matters, including—surprisingly—economic activity and economic systems. Even though it may sound attractive and enticing, social justice rhetoric is exposed as empty and misleading in light of the Bible. We will consider ten items in all; we’ll take four here, and the remaining six next time.
First, nothing in Scripture contradicts another part of Scripture. This was true in the days of the early church, just as it always has been true ever since God began revealing Himself through His Word.
The early church existed at a pivotal time. While God’s ceremonial law was about to be ushered out, His moral law would remain. Obedience to the law was not a requirement for salvation, but a result of it. The Ten Commandments still were valid principles for living, just as they are today. These include the Eighth Commandment, “You shall not steal,” and the Tenth Commandment, “You shall not covet….” These two divine commands uphold property rights and are antithetical to socialism.
While here we won’t cite additional Bible passages that uphold economic freedom and property rights, we could—and in future posts, we will. The Bible assumes, affirms, and authorizes personal economic freedom, both directly and indirectly. As former college professor Alvin J. Schmidt writes in his excellent work How Christianity Changed the World, “There is not a single reference in either the Old or New Testament in which God denies economic freedom to people as do fascism, socialism, and communism.”5
There is not a single reference in either the Old or New Testament in which God denies economic freedom to people as do fascism, socialism, and communism.
—Alvin J. Schmidt—
Second, Luke gives us an accurate record of what happened. Even so, the fact that for a short time believers in the early church contributed to and drew from a common store of goods does not, in itself, mean the Bible approves of what occurred, or that what happened represents God’s ideal. As our discussion continues to unfold, we will see that problems arose from this arrangement. A parallel example can be found in the polygamous marriages of the Old Testament. While God allowed polygamy to occur, even in some instances among His people, polygamy does not represent His ideal for marriage. Marriage is one man and one woman committed to each other for life.
Third, the generosity of church members arose in a context of a community of committed believers who feared God, praised God, and were overcome with a sense of awe regarding what He was doing in their midst. Generosity is commanded in Scripture (see Ps. 112:5; Prov. 11:24-25; 19:17; 22:9; Luke 6:38; 12:29-34; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 9:11; Gal. 6:2; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Heb. 13:16; 1 John 3:16-18). Note carefully that if “giving” is coerced, it is not giving; nor is it charity. Socialism and its related systems advocate a forced redistribution of wealth and resources.
Fourth, closely related to item #3 is a reality that completely refutes the notion the early church practiced socialism. When those involved in the early church “had all things in common,” none of the goods that made up the store of common resources was owned by the group from the outset; instead, each item of value, whether money or goods, was donated freely and voluntarily.
Next time, we’ll consider six more items. Also, you’ll have opportunities briefly to hear two extraordinary preachers.
Stay tuned!
Part 2 is available here.
Copyright © 2019 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.
top image credit: Lightstock
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages have been taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Notes:
1Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel, Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews, (Manitou Springs, CO: Summit Ministries, 2016), 100.
2Ibid.
3Ibid.
4Ibid.
5Alvin J. Schmidt, How Christianity Changed the World, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 205.
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