I want to pose a question for honest discussion. According to the below definition of Socialism from dictionary.com and the Gospel as recorded in Acts 4, was Socialism being practiced by the apostles in Acts 4? In your opinion is the answer yes or no? Why or why not?
Socialism: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. www.dictionary.com
Acts 4:32-35
King James Version (KJV)
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. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 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, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Can't really answer...but definitely something to ponder. I've never thought about it in this context.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it is. I'm sure the argument can be made that it wasn't a political system, but... I think this is the example we were intended to use. That's always been my thinking. The example certainly wasn't to be worried about what is "mine" or "ours".
ReplyDeleteI would say a definite no to the idea that they could have been practicing Socialism. I think they were merely living and surviving as a close knit family community would. My view comes from having spent my youth growing up in a small town in the Dakota's. You might as well call it Mayberry, USA. It's a different world with a different mindset. Every time I go back there to visit it's almost like stepping back into the 1960's/70's again. People know each other well enough that they care about each other. They rely heavily on each other to get by in life. When one family is in trouble most everyone else pitches in to help them out in some way. It is a true, unadulterated, caring community mindset that most in today's society do not understand and cannot comprehend because they have never seen it. This type of community mindset is a willingness to give to help your fellow man where all of the smaller parts care for the whole. I believe they were simply practicing pure and undefiled religion as spoken of in James 1:27, whereas Socialism first takes from people without their having any choice in the matter.
ReplyDelete