A reader posted a link to my article “Is Socialism Biblical?” on his Facebook page. It provoked common knee-jerk reactions. Here is a very common reaction to American Vision’s work on applying the Bible to all of life, and my articles on Biblical economics in particular:
This shouldn’t be causing division. It also shouldn’t be so all consuming and lacking in grace. What are we really fighting for here? Is this a salvation issue? How is throwing around angry words helping the cause of Christ? This is a very public forum and when non-Christians see this stuff they can add one more bullet to their arsenal of why they shouldn’t become Christians themselves. As Christians we all know that the forms of man are imperfect. So what then? If Capitalism is somehow Biblical and Socialism isn’t or vice versa what then? Do we hammer away at those who we call “brother” or “sister” until they give in to our way of thinking? Are these political articles defending or debunking weaknesses of others worthy of all the growling? Is it worth going on and on about until supposed Christians stop getting along?
As a response to my article, I see very little actually relevant material here. Some of it is unsubstantiated rhetoric. I wonder, for example, exactly which of my comments in the article are “lacking in grace”? Where exactly was I “throwing around angry words”? Where was I “growling”? It was one of my more irenic pieces—nothing pugnacious at all. All I did was examine certain claims in light of Scriptural exegesis. This should be accepted as a teachable moment. Considering the accusatory tone (especially with baseless accusations), the only “growling” here is coming from the critic himself.
The critic is afraid non-believers will see us debating and use that as an excuse for their unbelief. On the surface, perhaps. But trust me, atheists and skeptics are really upset about things like vicarious blood atonement and final judgment before God. Those are the real excuses. Atheists just can’t stand God’s will overruling theirs. The Bible teaches that man’s real problem with God is his own fallen nature (Rom. 8:7–8). That’s his real reason for hating God: because he’s naturally fallen and bent against God. All else is rhetorical filigree laced upon this core hatred. If anything—considering the emphasis on critical thinking among atheists and skeptics—stout debates between Christians could prove attractive.
The critic asks if this should be “causing division”? What exactly does he mean by “division.” There are many types and levels of division. Jesus said if your hand offends you, cut it off. This is a type of division, literally. The Scriptures absolutely teach free market capitalism and private charity. Anything that contradicts this we should hold up to the light of Scripture and refute. Drawing distinctions and boundaries—that is a type of division. The critic reveals his standard, asking, “Is this a salvation issue?” Guess what? It depends on how narrowly you define “salvation.” The critic later shows what he means: Christ was concerned with “saving souls not changing earthly governments.” To this man—like hundreds of millions of evangelicals, orthodox, and Catholics—salvation means only the saving of the soul. Even though Jesus died bodily to redeem not just the soul but also the body, these people think that if something is not an issue that will affect your soul, then it’s not worth fighting about.
This is the exact same mentality that led Christian pastors to ignore the politics of the Nazi regime while millions of its victims died. Salvation doesn’t pertain to politics, only souls. I suppose the same pastors asked permission to stand by the gas chambers and pass out tracts aimed at converting the Jew who were gassed to death. Of course this is hyperbolic; but an apt analogy. Salvation is from sin unto life; we are called in new life to obey God. That means living by His law, which forbids stealing, idolatry, and serving other Gods. This inevitably involves sovereignty in the civil sphere, and thus inevitably includes politics, education, economics, business, etc. Salvation must flow into every area of life.
When the State attempts to play God in society—doling out provision and health—then it is attempting to replace God in society. I would say that this is a “salvation” issue once we understand the full-orb of the sphere of salvation. Does this mean Christians who practice anti-biblical economics are in danger of going to hell? I suspect that if they do it in ignorance, no. But Paul said “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Eph. 4:28). As soon as we realize State welfarism to be based on theft, then we should cease to be a part of it as much as possible, and work to end the system based on theft. He who knowingly and willfully complies with socialism while understanding it to be based on theft I would assume to be consciously denying his covenant with God. I’ll leave the math up to God on that one.
But is this type of talk “division”? Are we not at all supposed to speak on any controversial topic? Shall not someone stand up and say what the Bible explicitly teaches on economic and social topics? Of course it will cause some degree of division, even if that division is only public disagreement. Socialism reigns in this country. Socialism has very vocal public voices saying it is biblical. Is it wrong for me to present the opposing view? I have taken on the Christian socialists, Wallis, Campolo, and Sider in my upcoming book God versus Socialism: A Biblical Critique of the New Social Gospel. It’s about time that someone did. Is this division? No more so than Jesus said he’d bring (Matt. 10:34–37). Truth causes divisions at many levels. The critic thinks the truth only affects “soul” issues. I think it goes further. On this we are divided—an issue I suspect he will not agree with me on just for the sake of not causing division (even though, he would argue, it doesn’t affect his soul). He wishes for me to agree with him. I think truth and salvation apply to the whole person, and thus my understanding of Scripture aims to save your soul and a lot of your money as well (among other things).
The critic cannot understand this with his “soul only” view of Christianity. So he chides, “As Christians we all know that the forms of man are imperfect. So what then? If Capitalism is somehow Biblical and Socialism isn’t or vice versa what then?” These comments beg the question. He implies that all social theories are “forms of man” and are thus imperfect. The Bible teaches freedom, responsibility, and privacy in matters of one’s wealth. Socialism denies this and a whole lot more. This is not to say that everything done in the name of capitalism is indeed biblical, but a biblical system will indeed provide free markets and capitalism. So we must not assume it as a “form of man” up front. We must then answer the critic’s question, “What then?” which I have already answered above. One should “steal no more” as much as possible when government force and guns are involved. One should seek to live without government aid if possible, and seek to reform government to end socialistic measures of theft wherever possible. And one should engage in honest business and work in order to amass wealth for life and charity.
The answers are clear in Scripture, which is why critics of mine (and American Vision’s) never criticize our arguments, but always make up ad hominem complaints and straw-man arguments: “Do we hammer away at those who we call ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ until they give in to our way of thinking?” Who’s hammering here? I will write, express, consider, persuade, debate, study—all things Moses, the Prophets, Jesus, and Paul did—and yet some critic out there, because he’s riled but can’t answer the arguments, will label me a growler and a hammerer. I can’t do anything about that. I can, however, keep relating what the Word of God teaches on these matters, for His Word is the hammer (Jer. 23:29), and I am content with that. Frankly, I am content to be the anvil, or the metal between, wherever God will have me. I know that iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17), and if that sounds too much like fighting or division to some people, then too bad. But I think we need more of it.
Joel McDurmon, M.Div., Reformed Episcopal Theological Seminary, is the Director of Research for American Vision. He has authored four books and also serves as a lecturer and regular contributor to the American Vision website. He joined American Vision's staff in the June of 2008. Joel and his wife and three sons live in Dallas, Georgia. 
