Biblical Socialism

         It may come as a bit of a surprise, even shock to see the two words “biblical” and “socialism” appear together in the title of this essay. The word “biblical” suggests a sacred source; the written ground of our religious faith, while the word ‘socialism’ evokes an economic philosophy that has been adopted by most European countries though rejected in the USA.         

    However, the educated Christian mind may reflect on biblical passages in both the Old Testament and the New that recommend, even command an ethic and community practice of sharing the wealth accumulated by some to all, especially to those in need.

         The Old Testament reports God’s call for a moral code of wealth sharing in a common community that stretches well beyond charity  to  a periodic dividing of wealth accumulated by some  to all members of the community. The “Year of Jubilee” was indeed a time of jubilation because the divine law commanded the redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor
         Jesus , who was raised in this Hebrew tradition,  made it clear through many parables that those who merely allowed their wealth to accumulate for their own use were defying the will of God. Think of the parable of the rich man who build bigger barns to store his wealth with the aim to “eat drink and be merry;”         ( Luke  12:16-20   )

         In our modern American political-economic system called “capitalism,”people are encouraged to follow a contrary & self-serving  economic system of valuing the accumulation of wealth &  passing it on only to their heirs, or if generous, to a few chosen “charities.”

         However, imagine how different our society would look if Biblical-socialism were to become the standard  “law of the land.” The rich and super-rich would be required, through tax law, to have their excess wealth redistributed so that there might be: universal health care; free education to the level of one’s ability; the end of homelessness and hunger.

         Might the Christian Church, with its many millions of members, be a force for bringing the “ Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven,” by championing  some form of Biblical Socialism  in our time?