Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site akgua.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!rjb From: rjb@akgua.UUCP (R.J. Brown [Bob]) Newsgroups: net.religion.christian Subject: Re: Jimmy Swaggart & Capitalism - reply to Gary B. Message-ID: <1586@akgua.UUCP> Date: Wed, 17-Jul-85 17:41:21 EDT Article-I.D.: akgua.1586 Posted: Wed Jul 17 17:41:21 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 18-Jul-85 06:29:13 EDT Organization: AT&T Technologies/Bell Labs, Atlanta Lines: 47 In a recent article, Gary Bucholz took a shot at Jimmy Swaggart on his position that the Bible supports Capitalism. While I have my differences with Brother Swaggart, this is not one of them - if you allow the following commonly held view of Capitalism. Capitalism as understood by many Americans is the system where you basically are allowed to economically prosper by your own initiative and investment. This may not be the correct understanding of the full ramifications of Corporate Capitalism but I think that Individual Capitalism is what is understood. If you allow this definition, then Jimmy Swaggart is basically correct. The Bible praises the prosperous, diligent worker or investor who brings back a gain on their own or their master's "capital". The Book of Proverbs is "eat up" with examples so numerous that I just recommend the whole book as evidence. Note especially the examples used in describing the Capable Wife in Chapter 31. The New Testament's most striking Stewardship Capitalism Statement is probably the Parable of the Talents. I don't think you can completely spiritualize this teaching into spiritual talents. Jesus just talked too much about money and material things to dismiss the connection. However, there is definitely no support in the Book that I can see for the Land Raping, Robber Baron stereotype of capitalism and certainly the Book of Acts shows us the early church as communal living at its best. Finally, I think that capitalism with a conscience is the best way to help the poor. People who prosper according to God's principles willingly sharing with those in need AND teaching them the skills they need for self-support + prosperity so THEY can help others - that's the ideal I think we should shoot for !! "I've got so much honey, the bees envy me" David Ruffin and the Temptations - My Girl Bob Brown {...ihnp4!akgua!rjb}