[Patrick1]

If Christ were a socialist he would have never, ever, called Matthew away from being a tax collector.

[Nextrush]

These "progressive" "Red Letter Christians" are just some of Hillary's hordes in waiting.

[steve-b]

Furthermore, any members of any political party, including Republicans, Democrats, Reform Party members, Libertarians or whatever, who advocate such a socialist system

LOL -- what a glaringly stupid example of false "even-handedness" by spreading criticism across the board no matter how little it applies to some of the people grafted on to the list (for the purpose of making the actually guilty seem a bit less so).

[what's up]

Government welfare is an impersonal, compelled giving by which, incidentally, thousands of workers in the bureaucracy earn a living.

The personal, targetted giving which Jesus advocates is the caring, personal type which is effective.

Because the former is forced and mandatory, it eats up funds which would be used for the latter.

Thus, millions of people go uncared for. A travesty.

[ryan71]

"feed those who are hungry"

True. Go out and feed your neighbor. Where's the government enter into this?

[Disambiguator]

God presents us with three general ways in the Bible to take care of the poor and needy: 1) through the family; 2) through the church; and 3) through individual charity. The applicable passages for these three ways are Deuteronomy 14:28, 29, Numbers 18:24, Matthew 6:1-4 and 1 Timothy 5:3-16.

This is the part that makes liberals nervous, as it requires direct action from them and from THEIR pocketbook.

I saw a great quote about the liberal approach to charity (and I paraphrase), "charity begins at someone else's wallet."

I've been saying for a long time that entitlement programs are not charity, and Christians should not support them. Charity is YOU giving YOUR MONEY/TIME to someone or some non-governmental organization.

Thank you for posting this.

[ryan71]

"...clearly shows that the American welfare state is anti-Christian and unbiblical"

Say it again!

[jude24]

In other words, Jesus is not a socialist. Nor is he a liberal. In fact, in none of the Bible passages just cited, nor in any others I know of, does Jesus, God or even Moses cite the government as the means by which the poor, needy, widowed and orphaned are housed, clothed and fed.

That's not entirely true. Lev. 19:9-10 indicates some sort of societal obligation to ensure that the poor and needy are housed, clothed, and fed. Likewise, Deu. 14:28-29 indicates some sort of social welfare program instituted under force of divine law.

[Michael Goldsberry]

I seem to recall prophecy having something to do with a Monarchy.

[altura]

The parable of the good samaritan is an example. Jesus did not call for a law mandating that the country had to take in people who were assaulted by robbers.

He told the story of one man who decided to help another.

[VRWCTexan]

The selfsame Tony Campolo - who after the Lewinsky scandal blew-up (pun intended)worked so hard to comfort and council the much suffering Billy Klintoon

[rightsmart]

I have to introduce Tony Campolo at a Christian educator's conference in a couple of weeks. I wonder what I will say...?

[avg_freeper]

My way of looking at it is that it is pure arrogance to believe that just any man or organization could decide how finite supplies of goods and resources can be distributed for everyone.

As a result it is better now for us to have the freedom that capitalism provides to decide for our selves what we need and what we should supply to others.

It's not a perfect system. But only one man, Jesus Christ, will do that perfectly as King.

[TheRightGuy]

our congregation had a guest preacher fill in for a week a year or so ago ...

... the guy preached from the gospels of Marx and Engels calling it "biblical economics" ... I was one who walked out.

[MadIvan]

God's way is a hard way. It's very easy to hire out the government to do your charity for you. It's much more difficult to be charitable and full of good works on your own. But it is only through the latter that virtue is achieved.

Regards, Ivan

[therut]

Amen. Socialism goes aganist Christianty. It is in no way compatiable. Theological Socialism is a false theology. Jesus did not say "Give the Ceasar what is Gods and to God let the State do his work"

[the OlLine Rebel]

"nowhere in the New Testament or the other books of the Bible do Jesus Christ, His apostles, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, Moses or the Hebrew prophets command the government to take money from its citizens and transfer it to poor people."


It DOES say, "Thou shalt not STEAL". Which is exactly what income taxes do.


Besides, what good does it do YOUR soul to have your mugger give your money to someone else?

Give of YOUR OWN money to exactly who you want; THAT is charity.

[the OlLine Rebel]

"the 10th Commandment in Exodus 20:17 actually protects private property by commanding people not to covet their neighbor's house or belongings."


Just to reiterate for the sex-crazed: it does NOT say "...not covet thy neighbor's wife."

[Antoninus]

"One cannot be both a sincere Catholic and a true Socialist." --Pope Pius XI

[RobRoy]

This author and I line up PRECICELY on this issue.

One of us is redundant.