Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: SlickWillard
However, there are some passages in the post-Christian books of the New Testament that are, for all intents and purposes, Marxist in their approach to private property rights

If by "Marxist" you imply an advocacy that the government confiscate and control all property, I would again challenge you to provide us with specific verses. I do find many verses throughout the New Testament exhorting and commending VOLUNTARY charitable giving, but that is most certainly NOT the same thing as Marxism. Indeed, if you actually read Marx you would find that he had nothing but contempt for such.

34 posted on 11/13/2002 2:25:58 PM PST by Stefan Stackhouse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies ]


To: Stefan Stackhouse
The Acts of the Apostles


004:031 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
        assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy
        Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

004:032 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and
        of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things
        which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
        common.

004:033 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the
        resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them
        all.

004:034 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as
        were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the
        prices of the things that were sold,

004:035 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was
        made unto every man according as he had need.

004:036 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which
        is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and
        of the country of Cyprus,

004:037 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at
        the apostles' feet.

005:001 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold
        a possession,

005:002 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to
        it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles'
        feet.

005:003 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to
        lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of
        the land?

005:004 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was
        sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived
        this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but
        unto God.

005:005 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the
        ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these
        things.

005:006 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out,
        and buried him.

005:007 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his
        wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

005:008 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land
        for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

005:009 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed
        together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of
        them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall
        carry thee out.

005:010 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the
        ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and,
        carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

005:011 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as
        heard these things.

005:012 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders
        wrought among the people...
If by "Marxist" you imply an advocacy that the government confiscate and control all property, I would again challenge you to provide us with specific verses.

Technically speaking, Peter is not acting as a government official in these passages, but there is a strong implication that Peter used either his own strength of will, or maybe The Holy Ghost Itself, to shame and humiliate Ananias and his wife unto their deaths, simply because their oblation failed to satisfy him.

Keep in mind that this is the same Peter who betrayed Jesus thrice as often as did Judas; furthermore, Judas was warned in only very general terms that he would betray his master, while Peter was warned in the most explicit of terms.

I know of no passage in the Christian books of the New Testament in which Jesus causes the mortal death of a living man [although he certainly goes to great lengths to warn of the possibility of immortal death, which is to say, the withholding of immortal life]. The mistake that is made by almost all people who call themselves Jews and Christians is in assuming that the men whose lives are depicted in the Bible are good and decent men. King David was a wicked, evil, iniquitous man. Simon-Peter was a wicked, evil, iniquitous man. Saul-Paul of Tarsus was a wicked, evil, iniquitous man.

The Old Testament is a history of the evil, wickedness, and iniquity of the Hebrew people. The post-Christian chapters of the New Testament are a history of the evil, wickedness, and iniquity of men who called themselves Christians.

45 posted on 11/14/2002 1:13:17 PM PST by SlickWillard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson