You shall have no other gods before Me
In the past I’ve taken a lot of flack from “conservatives” for pointing out that Austrian Economic Theory is a form idolatry. The center of the austrian world is “The Market”, it governs all things and has its own system of “Laws”. It is incompatble with biblical Christianity, which says that Christ is the King and center of the universe and that God’s Law is the standard which governs men. My friend Rick has come across this little tidbit that exposes the austrian school for what it is, Market Worship. Be sure to check this out, Capitalism the Creator.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Thanks, Scott, for the quick post. It sure is scary to see someone ascribe divine powers to an economic thing. But it should not surprise us, as most christians today do the same thing with our economy, ascribing to it the power to bless, provide, save and reward, and they don’t trust in the living God for their future and salvation. When we cast God’s law behind our back, we soon fail to recognize idolatry in our actions.
I believe in and advocate biblical capitalism, according to the 8th commandment. However, I hesitate to admit this, because most people’s understanding of what capitalism is comes from our “buyer-beware” and lawless modern world view. I for one will not throw the baby out with the bath water. It is absolutely vital for the church to capitalize the passing of the torch on to the next generation through the means of production and godly inheritance. It continues to amaze me how most christians can think that the bible has little to nothing to say about economics, as economics is simply the monetary expressions of how we relate to one another and to God. It is possible to understand the economic implications of every single verse in the bible. Sin has consequences, many of which are economic. When God promises to bring the whirlwind and remove us from the land I’d say that is an economic loss, among other things.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Funny but I kind of think that ‘ subsistence’ and ‘ surplus’ are the bibical and christian model.
By operating a subsistence level of frugality you are spared up for the job of mentoring and pastoring your children, now if the generation of your subsistence family economy involves the other members of that family, then you have a seamless family unity that i must admit is the greatest blessing in my life!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Hi Jeff
I’ve talked with you enough to know that we agree that God’s Law is the standard that must judge our economic actions. I believe that the bible teaches us how to deal with our neighbors economicly and teaches us what economic practices please or displease Him. I guess I’ve gotten to the point where I just want to call what I’m advocating Biblical Economics and leave the word capitalism out of it. The way I see it, if you follow God’s Law, you will end up with a bunch of things that look a lot like what the austrian school teaches. The thing is, its all coincidence. They and we might come to some of the same conclusions but they are not because we are following the same God. I think this is what we saw with the Ron Paul craze. Did I agree with a lot of what Ron Paul was saying? Sure, but it was nothing more than coincidence. Paul wasn’t against the Fed because it was a violation of God’s Law, he opposed it because it violated our Godless constitution. I think Paul is nice guy and a christian, but he’s a libertarian and I’m a theocrat. We have to be mighty careful not to get sucked into ideas with a rotten root and foundation. Being a Christian Libertarian is an oxymoron, and I think to a great extent so is being a Christian Capitalist. I’m not aiming this at you, Jeff, because I’m sure we agree on the foundations here. I understand what you mean when you say your a 8th commandment type of capitalist. I’m just wondering if you or I really are or do we happen to end up agreeing with the capitalists on something because we followed the bible and they happen to agree with us while worshiping their god. The more I study capitalism as an idea (modern capitalism) the more I realize the gulf is just to great to use the word to describe what we believe. After a post like this I often get accused of being a socialist or communist because because I won’t call myself a capitalist. I think they are all cut from the godless cloth. I’m not against free markets and I am sure not for a nanny state or wealth redistribution(forced by the state). I just think Biblical Economics should be called by its name. I’ve just seen to many people spread “Jesus frosting” all over capitalism and call it Christian Capitalism. I’ll end my mindless ramble now
May 13th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Scott, though I do understand and agree with Jeff’s take on capitalism, I have found that the concept of capitalism has been so perverted that it takes me far too much time reestablishing its biblical roots and meaning for me to use the term “biblical capitalism” in any useful discourse. The word capitalism is borrowed from the Medieval Latin “capitales,” which comes from the Latin “caput,” which one of its meanings is principal, money laid out, or capital. But to get to the biblical concept of capitalism one must also define money and how it is to be lawfully used from the Scriptures, which leads us to “biblical economics,” a very broad but comprehensive topic found throughout the Scriptures where it is heavily supported, to say the least. The fact that mankind now openly worships capitalism as the Creator of human progress and provision only speaks to the depth of depravity he has reached in worshiping mammon, the true god behind pagan capitalism.
The word capitalism is kind of like the word Calvinism, which has been grossly misunderstood and maligned in our “age of grace.” I fully agree with RL Dabney’s take on the word, “We Presbyterians care very little about the name Calvinism. We are not ashamed of it; but we are not bound to it. Some opponents seem to harbor the ridiculous notion that this set of doctrines was the new invention of the Frenchman John Calvin. They would represent us as in this thing followers of him instead of followers of the Bible. This is a stupid historical error. John Calvin no more invented these doctrines than he invented this world which God had created six thousand years before. We believe that he was a very gifted, learned, and, in the main, godly man, who still had his faults. He found substantially this system of doctrines just where we find them, in the faithful study of the Bible, Where we see them taught by all the prophets, apostles, and the Messiah himself, from Genesis to Revelation.” In the same manner I derive my concept of capitalism, not from any modern notions, but from where we find all truth, in the faithful study of the Bible where we see the concept taught by all the prophets, apostles, and the Messiah himself.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Scott, and Tom, a hearty Amen!
You’re both right, saying that I’m a biblical capitalist is like saying I’m a biblical calvinist, something I don’t do either. The term is just too adulterated to use any more, like the word “gay.” So I’ll talk about Biblical Economics. Which BTW has much to say about true capitalization, and how God defines and declares the boundaries to how we “lay out” the “principle” that has been given us to steward, like in the parable of the talents.
When I said I wouldn’t throw out the baby with the bath water, I was talking about the baby that God created by His word, not the one that the modern economist thinks he understands, but doesn’t if he denies the Lord his crown rights.
But I don’t think it is just a coincidence that if you follow God’s law you’ll end up with a bunch of things that look similar to what the modern capitalist is preaching. Man can not reason at all outside of God’s law. Logic, which comes from Logos, is a gift of God to all of mankind, His creation. When man departs from the Living God, he leaves behind logic. But in order for man to not go completely insane, man must “hold the truth in unrighteousness” and declare that he has figured out what is right without God. Anything that the wicked say that is true comes from the fact that God has stamped His image on man from the start. Even the wicked glorify God in His creation!
And you are completely correct, when we judge a man’s stand on an issue, we need to look at the root, or radical, reasons why he is taking that stand. No matter how right and true his platform appears, if he isn’t doing it in order to glorify God and submit to God’s authority in his life, it is sin. Indeed, whatsoever is not of faith is sin, no matter how loving, true and righteous it might appear.
Thanks for the dialogue, it is helping me tremendously.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Scott, I just realized another point. We’ve got the same problem when we use the term “Biblical Economics”, just like when I said “Biblical Capitalism.” That’s because Economics is another wasted term, with so many connotations to the reader that are not correct. Why don’t we reestablish a Godly culture and nation and destroy these wicked definitions? Truly, if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Well, for one, we can’t even talk about righteousness using complex terms because all the definitions are wrong!
So let’s rebuild the waste places and restore the streets to dwell in (Is 58:12).
May 14th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Good Day Gentlemen,
Thank you both for the dialog! Tom’s example of “calvinism” is a good one. For some reason, I often don’t use my own standards and throw that term around quite a bit. And it often causes more confusion than anything
The last thing I want is to divide over how we say things when we mean the same thing, as we all know the reformed world now stands divided against its self a thousand times over. All because everyone wants everyone else to “say it this way”.
The basic thrust of my comments was summed up by Jeff ….So let’s rebuild the waste places and restore the streets to dwell in (Is 58:12).
Thats one of the hardest things we face. The fact that we have to build from the ground up, starting from scratch in many ways. There is not much left here to work with, sadly.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:10 am
I really don’t understand the concern. You could see the hand of God in many things: great music, art, painting, and the remarkable coordinating hand of the market as well. This is essentially how the term “invisible hand” has been used, to show how seeming randomness of market activity turns orderly through human volition working itself out through institutions.
To say a painting is beautiful or say that a painter is creative does not take away from God; the creative capacity of the human person is a dim reflection of the God’s own creative power. So too for the market: to see its is order and capacity to feed the world ultimate points us to the transcendent.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hi Jeffrey
I’m glad to have someone from Mises.org joining the discussion. I’m pressed for time right now, need to go get the cows in and get them milked, but I will share my concerns with you when I get back in tonight. Anyone else who wants to, is welcome to carry on the conversation without me.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Jeffery,
You don’t see a problem with calling capitalism the creator of wealth?! Are you serious?
“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is HE who gives you power to get wealth..” Deut. 8:18a
Free markets are a wonderful thing, but without God’s blessing every profit seeking business under the sun could go belly up tomorrow. Especially since our so-called money is really only a figment of our collective imagination. Capitalism creates nothing, it merely reshuffles and redistributes what God has already given. You might just as easily say socialism is the creator of wealth if you subsist by means of a government check. No, God created everything, and everything belongs to Him. Psalm 24:1:
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”
You have mistaken the tool (capitalism) for the Holy One who wields it and blesses it’s use, or witholds blessing, as He sees fit. We don’t say hammers and saws build houses, and we should not say that capitalism creates wealth. There’s only one Creator.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Maybe it is a term issue or something. When you buy milk and the grocery takes your money, you are both better off than you were before. Wealth has been created. Expand that model by a billion per day and you have capitalism, which creates wealth.
Now, we might say that God created us to have this capacity for exchange and that’s true, since animals don’t seem to possess it. But can we not speak of creativity at all without constantly referring to God? This seems a bit defensive.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Jeffrey, wealth is only created by production from the land. An exchange of money for milk doesn’t create wealth. Man owes his existence to the fact that there is six inches of soil and that it rains. In other words, that which God has created is the basis for all true wealth. God is the creator, not some idea or thing. Only God given increase through the sweat of the brow creates wealth.
What do you produce? If you are a consumer, and not a producer, you don’t know anything about where wealth comes from.
And why do you have a problem with constantly referring to God? Is he somebody that you’d like to keep out of your life and personal kingdom?
Jeff
May 15th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
I guess it could be argued that these verses in context were speaking of physical things made, but then again, money, milk, etc. are physical things. Our creativity would be useless without the physical things to create something with… even the paper federal reserve notes that we call money today. Of course the very reason for our creativity and our desire to grow and prosper and create even more is because we are created in God’s image. That’s why animals don’t posess this capacity.
“But can we not speak of creativity at all without constantly referring to God?” - Jeffrey, the question is not as much do we have to “constantly refer to God”, as it is which God or god are we referring to? Capitalism is a powerful and oft worshipped god in our day. I prefer to worship the Creator rather than the creature.
BTW,when you buy milk at the grocery, you do not exchange it for money, you exchange it for debt… unless you buy with gold, silver or barter. You get the milk, the grocer and the farmer gets to hold our wicked government’s wicked debt (FRNs). What is happening is actually the “creation” of more debt. “Capitalism” as we know it today is possible only because of our accursed fiat monetary system.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
We were blessed today by a much needed lesson in producing true wealth. Tom, Art and I plowed our first field today with Sam & Sadie. To realize how easy it is to turn the soil over with the mules and riding plow that God has blessed us with was a true joy! I have a true desire now to obtain a walking plow, which although more difficult to master is much better at handling tight spaces, like the 0.6 acres that God has currently blessed me with. Talk about exciting! The technology of God far surpasses anything that man has come up with. And talk about low overhead!
Tomorrow we plan, Lord willing, to plow about an acre of ground in order to plant corn and sorghum. 2 years ago if you had asked me if I was interested in farming and plowing I would have said No. Indeed, my whole life has been a slow but deliberate return to the land. There’s something about tilling the soil and seeing true wealth spring up by the miracle of God that gets me very excited indeed. Thank you Lord for being patient with me, and transforming me so that I will appreciate true wealth production on the land!
Somewhat off-topic, perhaps. But when talking about the creation of true wealth, we must never forget the land… and the God who tells us to “have not other gods before Me.”
May 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Jeff K,
I’ll trade you a walking plow for a riding plow! I’ll need it a few months from now to till-in the cowpeas and rye I’ve got growing on the back field.
Back to topic- In my worldly education, I was taught in my microeconomics class that production is simply the conversion of inputs into outputs. It’s an economic process that uses resources to create a commodity that is suitable for exchange. This exchange is what creates wealth. I don’t think scripture contradicts this. Where the issue begins is when you throw paper money into the equation. If you were to trade a dozen of corn on the cob for a half gallon of raw milk (or some agreed upon ratio), then you’ve become wealthy. Paper money is value-less at the moment, as it’s not backed up by any ‘hard’ currency (gold, silver etc). One finds this out very quickly when you do commerce in any undeveloped country where the paper money’s value changes from hour to hour at times (for many reasons, but predominantly due to the lack of ‘hard’ funding backing it up).
I’ll be the first to admit to having ’succumbed’ to the American Capitalism and all it’s purported security….but our Lord has been patient with me and is transforming me!
May 20th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Christine,
I’m sorry that I can’t at this point trade either of the riding plows, of which Art has two, for a walking plow. This would be a decision up to my beloved brother Art, and I’m sure that he is very serious about continuing with what God has given him and us. Art hasn’t yet decided to invest his plows in Missouri Woods or the Rayville Community Cooperative, but I’m convinced he’d let me borrow either one without usury.
I’d really like to have a walking plow. They appear to be fairly cheap and available, and I’ve got my eye on one that is owned by the son of an acquaintance of ours. It has a metal beam and sideboard, wooden handles, and I can mount a cutting wheel on it also. It appears to be very similar to the one I was trained on, with a 14″ cut. With Sam and Sadie we will have no problems going deep enough. But I haven’t yet asked him if he’s willing to sell it, or what his price might be. Art and I both want one to till our small plots.
Perhaps we can work something out, and pool our resources somehow? I might be able to convince Art to let me buy one of his riding plows. Perhaps we could exchange what I have that you need for something you have that I need? But shipping would be prohibitive, making it all the more obvious why it would be better for all of us to live locally together on the land. I wish I could help you. This would be true wealth indeed!
I hope and will pray that God supplies your needs to till the cowpeas and rye.
I found out quickly that if you don’t have more than about an acre, a good walking plow is the way to go. But I’m all for riding, especially if you’ve got a lot of land to cover. The time spent lubing and adjusting the riding plow is really not necessary for small plots. It is so much simpler and faster, if you have the skill, strength and a good team, to go at it with the walker, and you also obtain straighter and more consistent furrows. It is much easier to guide a walking plow exactly where you want it to go, especially in tight places. Of course, I understand that this might be difficult for one with little experience or a lady, and so I would not want to send my wife into the field with a walking plow if I could avoid it.
In touching on your other comments, I confess that I am at this time unable to address them. I am still pondering and thinking about what you have said, and asking God to give me insight as to where you’re coming from, and what your background in economics is. I believe that as I think and meditate upon it, and maybe go back to some of my thoughts and resources on biblical economics and what true wealth production and money is that I will be able to offer some insight or comment upon this.
I’m very busy right now with work, duties and responsibilities in the church, and I’ve been asked to “run the gauntlet” on some things that are very important to me. I will meditate upon what you said, and hope to get back to you later.
With respect,
Jeffrey
May 20th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Jeffrey,
I apologize for not presenting a background as the underlying factors that lead to my post. Duly noted and will attempt to keep that in mind in further posts. To clarify where I’m coming from: I have spent a great part of my life in South America, therefore I have experienced first hand some unstable economies. In college, I took the normal business college requirements and earned a graduate degree in Agricultural Economics. I’m not a very good economist, but I enjoyed the agricultural!
I don’t think I’m necessarily disagreeing with your comment and Scott’s, Pastor Tom’s, Randall’s or Matt’s. I am trying to adjust my mindset from the economics that was ingrained in me at school, and to which I partook, to what you gentlemen are referring to ‘capitalism’ versus biblical economics.
As for the plow, I do wish I had a few others that I could trade/borrow draft implements from that were closer to me. I know of one other family here in Texas- but I can’t believe that given the grand size of this wonderful state that there are not others with the same interests! I just have to find them!