Socialism Is Evil
In a recent blog post I urged the biblical basis for the spirituality
of the church. One of the points I made is
that while the church does not meddle in civil government, it most certainly may
speak against social evils. Christians
and pastors can and should speak out on evils such as racism, government
sponsored torture, or, in this case, socialism.
I bring up socialism because I have noticed that it is becoming
fashionable for Christians to denounce capitalism and laud socialism as a more
biblical alternative. I get how this
happens. Under capitalism, sin wreaks
its usual havoc and the system is blamed for the injustice common to fallen human
society. There are biblical principles
that seem to push back against capitalism – such as concern for the well-being
of others – which really should be addressed to how people use the system
rather than the system itself. To be sure, capitalism itself provides no
tonic for the disease of sin. Moreover,
Christians should be discerning enough to scorn the adolescent egotism of Ayn
Rand-style capitalism and realize the need for government intervention against
capitalistic abuses. But in reacting
against these, Christians should also have enough discernment not to endorse a
system so inherently evil as socialism.
So, biblically speaking, why is socialism evil? Let me suggest three reasons:
1. Because
socialism is a system based on stealing;
2. Because
socialism is an anti-work system; and
3. Because
socialism concentrates the power to do evil.
Let’s look at each of these briefly:
1. Because socialism is a system based on
stealing. The whole point of
socialism is for the government to seize control of private property, mainly
involving the proceeds of peoples’ work, in order to give it to others. (Note the compulsory aspect of socialism, which so differs from voluntary forms of communalism.) This activity is the very thing pronounced as
evil by the 8th Commandment: “You shall not steal” (Ex. 20:15). Throughout the Bible it is assumed that
individuals have responsibility and authority over the property in their
possession. For instance, even when
Peter was accusing Ananias of being greedy and dishonest, the apostle admitted
the man’s right to dispose of his personal property (Acts 5:4). While there is a legitimate basis for
government taxation, the simple taking of one’s possessions in order to give them
to others is not one of them. Socialism
is evil because it inherently involves stealing.
2. Because socialism is an anti-work system. Socialism promises to give a blessed life for
free. Today, Presidential candidate
Bernie Sanders promises to give free education, free health care, and free
vacation time, etc. (Of course, since
government does not create wealth, these things are only free as the money to
give them is taken from others.) As I listen to Senator Sanders, I wonder what
incentive there would be to work hard.
Why would I put myself through the ordeal of discipline, sacrifice, and sweat,
much less risk-taking business endeavors, if I can have a wonderful life
without working for it? In contrast to
the ethos of socialism, the Bible is explicitly pro-work. Paul writes: “Let the thief no longer steal,
but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may
have something to share with anyone in need” (Eph. 4:28). Here, the apostle not only urges selflessness
with one’s possession, but explicitly denounces the socialist ethos. “Work!” the Bible says (2 Thess. 3:10). And on the basis of your own work you should
provide for your needs and you should voluntary support the church and others
in need.
3. Because socialism concentrates the power to
do evil. The Bible’s concern about
human sinfulness (and its general approach of de-centralizing power) argues
strongly against socialism. Under
capitalism, the individual has discretion to dispose of his or her wealth,
which in some cases involves vast resources.
This may be done virtuously or sinfully depending on the character of
the individual owner. Under socialism, however,
a small number of government masters has control over almost all of the resources of the
entire society. Unless one believes that
politicians are inherently more virtuous than private citizens (and where one
would get such an idea is a mystery to me), then this concentration of power is
certain to work extraordinary amounts of evil.
Under capitalism, access to scarce resources is determined by how much
money one has, and one’s money generally reflects the market’s value on his or
her work contributions. This will sometimes seem unfair, depending on one’s perspective. But under socialism, access to
scarce resources is based on government favor.
This structure virtually reduces the society to slavery, eventually impoverishes
everyone, and unfailingly promotes a culture of corruption.
For these biblically-based reasons, I would urge
Christians to refrain from giving praise (and political support) to socialism
and candidates who promote it. Alongside
the Bible are the lessons of history. To
students of such arcane history as the 20th Century, the prospect of
socialism is chilling. There is a reason
why some Americans want to erect a wall to keep illegal immigrants out, whereas
socialist countries have built their walls to keep people in. Socialism is a nightmare to those who
actually experience it, whereas capitalism is deemed a paradise – without Christ,
a false, materialistic paradise, to be sure – to those trying to get in.
Capitalism does not offer salvation: only Jesus can
deliver us from our sins. Socialism, on
the other hand, is a manifestly evil system from which we should pray to be
delivered.
