Socialism
I had an interesting conversation last night. This person is a Christian friend who I respect and admire his intellect. I mentioned that in my college class we were watching a video on Eugenics. He became visibly concerned.
I noticed his concern, and tried explaining that it was the healthcare philosophy we were studying and, even though we just started, it was clear it wasn’t presented in a positive light. I also mentioned the video we were watching was a public television production. This seemed to ease him a little. The conversation drifted into how things like Eugenics and science in general without God lead to potentially dangerous ideas.
If you didn’t know, Eugenics is the idea that humans can be improved through selective breeding to pass on desired traits and prevent the spread of undesirable ones. Sick, to say the least.
That, of course, allowed our conversation to drift into socialism. By the way, in case you didn’t know, this younger generation of college age kids are more receptive to the concept of socialism than ever before because they haven’t seen the horrors that socialism can evolve to in terms of communism or totalitarianism in their lifetimes. The college educational system, in my opinion, is doing them a disservice by not discouraging socialistic thinking and, in a lot of ways, actively encouraging it. But I digress.
I was doing my quiet time when I came across an article entitled “Does the Book of Acts Teach Socialism?” It’s a couple of page article where the author, Brian Vickers, breaks down this passage:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 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. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” - Acts 2:42-47
The author describes the challenge of reading and interpreting this (or any other Bible passage) is determining whether it is descriptive or prescriptive. Is Luke just describing what was going on or is he describing the early church and prescribing what all believers should do? I’ll cut to the chase and tell you that his assessment was that it was more descriptive than prescriptive. In fact, he collaborates with several other passages in the New Testament that seem to have different prescriptive perspectives.
“When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” - Acts 12:12
“Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” - Romans 16:5
“When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.” - 1 Corinthians 11:20-22
The author, to his credit, goes on to explain their general pattern and attitude of generosity of heart, holding possessions lightly, and putting others needs first are the real things we should emulate.
To be fair, we have socialistic aspects to society today, as my friend pointed out. Not all socialism is bad (although I’m not sure holding the US Postal Service as a socialistic example institution gives me a warm and fuzzy). Helping someone in need is admirable, as the author stated, as long as it is coming from your heart and not coerced by man.
