Regardless of your politics, Cal Thomas does a good job of addressing the Christianity = Socialism canard.
Did early Christians live communally? Yes, but this was not to show the right form of government. Instead, it is because they really believed they were a family. They took the whole, “brother and sister” thing quite literally. As in any family, ownership is shared. When a brother is starving, we give him our bread. When a sister needs shelter, we give her our bed. It doesn’t require some hierarchy telling us, “Thou must.” It is the natural result of being a family.
WORLD Magazine | Jesus the socialist | Cal Thomas | Dec 24, 09.
Hi, Maybe the question should have been: “Was Jesus capitalist?” Personally, if you look at the roots of capitalism, they don’t seem to fit the concepts of Christianity… … but, I am sure that I am in the minority — and proud to be so.
There is one aspect of Capitalism that clearly fits Jesus’ teaching: natural self interest. Capitalism recognizes that everyone acts according to their own self interest, and harnessing that makes for a powerful economic engine. Imperfect, true, but powerful.