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Isn’t ‘Capitalism’ inconsistent with the basic doctrines of Christianity?

January 13, 2009 by admin  
Filed under FAQ - Capitalism, FAQs

6 Comments

No.  Absolutely not.  I have discussed this matter on my personal blog at length and refer the reader there for a good starting point to this discussion.  Additionally, I agree with the sentiment expressed by prominent Christian leader Stephen L. Richards when he expressed in 1955:

Many people misunderstand and misinterpret capitalism. They think that because the word “capital” is used to designate the system that its chief purpose is to make wealthy men who are usually called capitalists and whose wealth, it is feared, is too often accumulated at the expense of poorer classes. I admit that there are instances, altogether too many, where this comes about. But this is not the true concept of capitalism. The capitalistic system in its inner essence, is little, if anything, more than a man’s free right to work, to choose his work, and enjoy the rewards of his efforts. In my estimation, it is a most precious thing and it is indispensable to the liberty and freedom of which America boasts. It is the only tried and tested system of free enterprise in this world and every other opposing system is built on an abridgment of personal liberty. For one I do not want to lose it.  But we will lose it if we do not understand it and recognize its virtues. It is not the capitalistic system itself that makes some men rich and some men poor. The men themselves do that, again with some exceptions. The system merely offers the opportunities.

Additionally, perhaps the most unapologetic proponent of Capitalism in the modern era, Ayn Rand (a self-proclaimed atheist) wrote, in a letter to Sylvia Austin in 1946,

Jesus was one of the first great teachers to proclaim the basic principle of individualism — the inviolate sanctity of man’s soul, and the salvation of one’s soul as one’s first concern and highest goal; this means — one’s ego and the integrity of one’s ego.

While both Mr. Richards and Ms. Rand deserve more attention given to their remarks, and the context in which they were given, I offer these two quotations as a stimulus or beginning point for the honest observer to engage in a more serious study of the question.  In my own research I have concluded that not only is the doctrine of Christianity ‘not contradictory’ of capitalism, but that the very truths enshrined in the man-labeled philosophy ‘capitalism’ are in fact the same universal truths proclaimed in scripture as the Gospel.  In my view God himself is clearly a capitalist, meaning one who advocates, upholds, and lives by these principles.  Of course, that is a full topic for another time and space.

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Comments

6 Responses to “Isn’t ‘Capitalism’ inconsistent with the basic doctrines of Christianity?”
  1. Jon Lewis says:
    May 1, 2009 at 8:05 am

    My wife and I were just talking about this last night. Interesting how I ran into this article today. We were talking about how it is so surprising to us that people in our Mormon and Christian circles can vote for candidates that are against capitalism. Even though they say the believe in freedom and free agency, they still vote to have it taken away. They just don’t know, but they think they do. I have a brother-in-law that voted for Obama, and he is a Seminary teacher. He’s a smart guy but how is he missing this one? It wouldn’t have been much better with Mccain, but Obama!? Wow! I feel like I have a lot to do to help people around me see the importance of educating themselves on the matter. Thanks for this article. I’ll pass this on to them.

  2. Ian says:
    July 9, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Depends on which “capitalism” you’re talking about.

    If you’re talking about capitalism as you’ve defined it (“a man’s free right to work, to choose his work, and enjoy the rewards of his efforts”), sure, a Christian can do those things; Christianity is not incompatible with that particular definition of capitalism.

    But Christianity IS incompatible with some other definitions of capitalism. For example, Ayn Rand advocated (in “the virtue of selfishness”) that SELFISHNESS is the ideal of a capitalist economy. Selfishness is not compatible with Christian ideals.

    See http://www.freesoft.org/Essays/capitalism/ for a somewhat different point of view of one type of capitalism.

  3. Aaron Eiche says:
    July 10, 2009 at 9:28 am

    I was once speaking with a gentleman in my church (LDS) who owned his own business, and was quite successful. He told me something that has stuck with me for a long time. He said “The Lord needs rich people.” He didn’t mean it in the sense that ‘The Lord needs your money’ or that The Lord prefers the rich to the poor. What he was saying was that a righteous person who has created value in the world is more capable of doing good than a righteous person who has nothing. That person, having taken care of himself and his family now is free to help others. I appreciate Elder Richards’ comments pointing out that Capitalism is less about money and more about Freedom. This is a tough distinction. We talk about Capitalism and Socialism, and we think of them as economic terms, but when we speak of them in proper context, they’re about freedom…

    I’ve been listening to you for about 2 years now Rick, and I’ve heard you speak often of your never-finished book “God is a Capitalist: So why aren’t most Christians?”. I look forward to being able to read it.

  4. Je' says:
    December 15, 2009 at 11:35 am

    God is not a capitalist simply because he is far above any humanly labeled system of economics. As Voltaire said, “If man is created in the image of God, we have certainly reciprocated.” In America, we have created God in the image of a capitalist. It won’t fly if you actually read the Bible. If there is one recurrent theme, it is repeated warnings against GREED. Serious warnings. Serious warnings that are ignored.
    Je’

  5. michael says:
    January 15, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    capitalism, socialism and communism, etc., are all world systems. just as all, so called “christian” religions are man devised plans for SELF governed, SELF centered, SELF rightious justification. the religion of the hebrews is the ONLY religion in christion history that was handed over to man by G-D. that is not to say that if some one is a baptist or a lutherine or even a roman catholic (or any of the other some 30k + org’s that claim to be “christian”) are not christian, as i’m sure that a “few” are. my point is there is a distintion that needs to be made here, because the implication seems to be that christianity & capitalism are brothers, kindered spirits, that support each other or can be blended. capitalism is a world system. by definition(biblicly speaking)capitalism, being a world system, belongs to the god of this world(in case you don’t know, that would be satan). scripture teaches that satan comes as an angel of light. there is a way that seems right to man, but, the end is destruction. christianity is a kingdom system. if you try mix chistianity with a world system, you will end up with a diluded christianity(read the warnings to the 7 churches in the revelation).can capitalism thrive in a socialist system, communist system, etc.? christianity(and i don’t mean christian “religion”) THRIVES in north korea!!! no matter the world system in place christianity stands alone & distint! so if you want to use the bible to support capitalism, please make the distintion between christianity & those who follow “christian” religion.

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