Capitalism Versus Socialism

In Capitalism versus Socialism, you can learn: What the Bible has to say about the pillars of socialist and capitalist economic systems; The vital coordinating role of the “Invisible Hand” in a decentralized market-based—capitalist—economy, and how this gets short-circuited in socialist economies;

That the Scandinavian countries are welfare states based on market principles and not, as alleged, examples of successful socialist economies; What the actual evidence is on capitalist and socialist systems; What the Bible has to say about inequality and how we are to care for the less fortunate.

The debate over whether America should move to full-blown socialism intensifies each day, and Christians seem to be highly confused about what the Bible says. To many, socialism is fairer than capitalism and not dominated by ruthless competition and greed. Under socialism, the poor are better cared for and everyone is treated the same. Capitalist systems are characterized by inequality. In light of these considerations and the emphasis of the Bible on caring for the poor, the Bible must be telling us that socialism is the right choice.

Not so fast. There is another side to this issue which involves the following: the Bible respects the right of individuals to choose; it respects private ownership of property; it also has a positive view of work and a dim view of those who choose not to work and expect others to provide for them.

Still, the Bible repeatedly expresses concern for the poor and commands us to care for them.