A Biblical Economics Manifesto: Economics and the Christian World View

Why do Christians continue to vote big government whether liberal or neo-conservative to their own impoverishment and the impoverishment of the world? Gills and Nash think that it's largely because they are confused about economics. I think this is the case with most sincere Christians. I think that they really do believe God and want to do the right thing but they are confused. I feel this way, because I was one of them. I wanted nothing more than to serve Christ and I not only read my Bible voraciously but I went to Bible College and Seminary. Unfortunately, my questions regarding money and economics were left in a confused state. In fact, college and seminary added to the confusion. At Seminary, not only were we encouraged to get a student loan but we were taught by professors that used textbooks like Ronald Sider's Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Ron Sider may be sincere and want to help but he did not understand economics and the often accompanied unintended consequences of "good intentions". Tony Campolo was another one who really influenced a number of us and then there was Dr. Bob Goudzwaard who taught a class called "Christianity and Economic Systems" which tried to take a middle ground between socialism and capitalism further confusing the issue. Add to this the confusion of Jim Wallis and his Sojourners magazine that was popular at the time and you can see the problem. All of these men are sincere Christians, at least I have no reason to doubt their sincerity but they are confused about economics. I went so far as to actually consider Liberation Theology as a viable alternative. After all, if helping the poor is the goal, why not do it whole heartedly instead of piece meal the way liberals and adherents to the social gospel do. I read all the books by James Cone, Gustavo Gutierrez, Alan Boesak, etc. etc. I even attended the so-called National Capital Semester in Washington D.C. hosted by Wesley Seminary. This was a liberal bastion if there ever was one. Here I was taught essentially what Jimmy Carter was taught regarding economics and Christian social and political action. Our so-called examples of conservatism were Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, which they mocked, and the Heritage Foundation. It wasn't until I read Gary North's Biblical Blueprint series, particularly the ones on Money, Economics, and Liberation Theology and found out about the John Birch Society that the fog began to clear. Later I discovered the Austrian Economists. Murray Rothbard is my favorite because he was the best teacher. Mine is truly a testimony of the truth of Jesus' words, "Keep seeking and you will find". Fortunately for you my dear reader, you don't have to read the "dreaded" Christian Reconstructionists nor the much maligned JBS in order to arrive at a proper understanding of economics and so free yourself and those you influence from the constant indoctrination and confusion of the U.S. news media and universities. Af

This book describes some biblical foundations of economics. It clarifies to "confused" Christians that capitalism is not bad. Compassion for the poor, for example, in not only a concern for social justice, but also concern for material conditions as well. No other economic system is better at producing materials than capitalism. For this reason, Christians should thinking like economists. The economic way of thinking recognizes the importance of incentives under conditions of scarcity. Scarcity compels us all to choose. Choices have value and cost, and a choice that carries is one for which its benefit outweighs its cost. Capitalism enhances benefits because it fosters "peaceful means of exchange," as opposed to socialism, which dictates "violent means of exchange". Observed failures of capitalism are not because capitalism exists; they are because "as long as the human beings taking part in market exchange are sinners, we should expect to find problems" (p. 25). Capitalism mitigates "the effects of human sin in society [by] dispersing and decentralizing power" (same page). Since one of its key features is free markets, capitalism recognizes human weaknesses and the limits to human knowledge. Therefore, to the extent it permits peaceful means of exchange, capitalism "passes the biblical test" in accordance with Scripture. Chapter 6 of the book outlines Christians' objections to capitalism, and puts up a credible moral defense. The seventh chapter deals with the Christian worldview of the economics of money. It extols the virtues and warns against the vices of material wealth. In the end whether wealth is a blessing or a curse depends on how wisely Christians use it to meet their obligations. Both chapters anchor securely in biblical references. The last chapter of the book is somewhat out of depth, but its objective is discernible. The conclusion appears to be that the relationship between God and economics is not necessarily a negative one. Since the conclusion is not dogmatic, one gets the impression the book is well-balanced. It is clearly informed by Ludwig von Mises teachings, although I am not an expert here. Over all, the book is a stronger argument for capitalism, alternatively an argument against socialism and government "interventionism", than it is about economics. It is still a highly recommended reading. Amavilah, Author Modeling Determinants of Income in Embedded Economies ISBN: 1600210465

This book is a basic introduction to the various philosophies of economics. I found the book to be very interesting and read it through in one evening. It's an outstanding tool for those, like me, who have never had much interest in economic theory. It assumes that you are, like the average American, ignorant of the basic systems and definitions. The authors explain the concepts clearly and concisely. The most important fact for me was the insistence of the authors in several places in the book that the American system of economics is NOT capitalism. Although most people think it is, our economic philosophy is actually a system of Interventionism. Interventionism is a system that is based on capitalism, but then the state is allowed (and even asked) to manipulate the playing field for the benefit of some and the detriment of many others. It is interventionism, and not capitalism, which makes sure the elite keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. In a truly capitalist society, the playing field is level and there is NO coercion or violence in regard to economical exchange. Interventionism always leads to socialism. This understanding of the American economic system helped me immensely. It is not capitalism that I have had trouble with, but interventionism! True capitalism cannot be coercive or violent, and if approached biblically and with wisdom will lead to prosperity. This book has also enticed me to attempt to tackle other, more "meaty", books on economics - especially in the biblical tradition. My only complaint is that while the book rightly confronts left-wing evangelical thought that favors socialistic intervention to redistribute wealth, it completely misses the equally destructive expansion of neofascist intervention and big government statism on the right. This could be (hopefully) because it was written before the effects of the Bush administration were clearly seen.

"A Biblical Economics Manifesto" is designed to be a primer for those who have never seriously studied economics or what the Bible says about it. Nash and Gills systematically present basic economic concepts, and then address what the Bible says (and really doesn't say) about capitalism, interventionism and socialism. They also try to clarify misconceptions that some Christians have about wealth and money in general. At only 90+ pages, Nash and Gills' treatment of economics, in general, and the type of system the Bible supports, in particular, is extremely basic - hitting only the general concepts without going into much detail. I would have preferred a much more detailed, scholarly argument which supports their thesis and refutes those of liberal, socialistic Christians more thoroughly. But the authors' main point does come through that only capitalism is embraced by proper biblical exegesis as the best, most efficient and most humane economic system for God's greatest creation (Mankind) to utilize in the furtherance of His will. As the book says, "To quote [Arthur] Shenfield, among all the economic options, only capitalism `operates on the basis of respect for free, independent, responsible persons. All other systems in varying degrees treat men as less than this. Socialist systems above all treat men as pawns to be moved about by the authorities, or as children to be given what the rulers decide is good for them, or as serfs or slaves.'" It is this respect that capitalism affords human beings as free, independent and responsible individuals which allows them to reach their fullest potential as the image-bearers of God.

I like the approach of the authors. The text introduces economic concepts without loading you down on vocabulary. It also confronts liberal or left-leaning evangical thought that favors socialist intervention to redistribute wealth.If you are working on buildings a biblical worldview, this book is a great way to start learning about economics.... I highly recommend this to supplement your reading.