Video | Is Biblical Capitalism an Oxymoron?

20 May 2008

Video | Is Biblical Capitalism an Oxymoron?

By Alexander Carpenter
in

Will Wilkinson of The Cato Institute, talks with journalist Jeff Sharlet (NYU's Center for Religion and Media) about his book on the conservative, shadowy Family and the global impact of Christian Right free market manipulation.

Video clip: 24 minutes

Comments

Hi Alex,

Good question. All systems must value "capital"... it comes down to who owns it.

"Is Biblical Capitalism an Oxmoron?"

Yes, as are "libertarian, socialism,facism,and collective/totalitarian systems."

None completly represent the biblical model of the theocracy.

Perhaps the "best question" is which offers the most choices, freedom,private property and economic opportunity to the most people in a given society during their tenure. They all will pass away.

You see if mankind can not be entrusted with these choices then who is "judging" humanity?

pat

PS. I did listen to the interview and "those 'family' individuals" do not represent most conservative thought concerning "free market enterprise."

Posted by: pat travis | 21 May 2008 at 11:53

Interesting.

Folks have brought up the ideal of theocracy before, but I'm not clear how theocracy is a Biblical model. Really it's just another flawed system, preciously because the (rulers) always interpreted the Theo. A quick read back through the OT shows no perfect applied theocratic rule.

And let's be honest here, as the prophets - Elijha, Elisha, Jeremiah, Amos - point out repeatedly, the kings who are claiming Divine guidance are lying. Even David is not a theocratic model.

Furthermore, the closest example of non-royal "theocratic" rule, according to most historians, occurs outside the record of the Protestant Bible, during the time of the Maccabees.

Interestingly there are several modern existing states existing as theocracies: Iran, The Vatican, Saudia Arabia.

Anyone want to go back in time and live in Calvin's Geneva?

Thanks. I'll take American republican-democracy.

What I like about this video is that it shows that like the ahistorical attempt to pine for the Biblical model of "theocracy," talk of a Biblical model of capitalism reveals itself as a fantasy that distracts us from using our faith to morally engage contemporary issues.

How does this sound? There are Biblical principles for public life, but not a three thousand year old model that would makes sense for today.

Posted by: Alexander Carpenter | 21 May 2008 at 12:24

Alex,

You confuse the system that was designed by God (if you believe the Bible was inspired by him) with the "implementation" of it. They went into captivity because the "rulers" did not implement their covenant from God.

Your "biblical principles" for government economic public life today ...where are they found in scripture?

Regards

pat

Posted by: pat travis | 21 May 2008 at 12:48

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