Articles
What on earth does Christianity have to do with economics? In short: everything . . . if you think of economics as the system and means of production and exchange whereby people meet their own and each other’s essential needs.
Lest anyone presume otherwise, to think “Christianly” about economics and work does not imply that the Christian perspective must align with Republican, Democratic, or Libertarian political positions. Christian theology transcends all of these and to be fair, each may include—to one degree or another—aspects of Christian-informed economic ideas and philosophy. As Christians, our faith and Christian worldview, should inform our moral, political, and economic views, not vice versa.
To be sure, there is a debate raging in this country about the nature of economics and, more specifically, the role of government in promoting and/or achieving economic prosperity. When you add to this an increasingly polarized and hostile political culture, pervasive corruption among government and private sectors, and the rapid erosion of historic moral norms, it isn’t surprising that Americans are deeply divided, confused, frustrated, and angry.
On the topic of economics, Americans (including many Christians) range—either wittingly or unwittingly—between outright Marxism on the one hand, to free-market capitalism on the other, and various alternative iterations in between. Some are convinced that increased government control and regulation of the market will halt the greed and corruption that has become all too commonplace on Wall Street and in private enterprise. The logic being that increased government control will yield greater economic equity between the various socioeconomic classes.
In contrast, many believe that such increased government interference will merely accommodate different and more excessive forms of corruption, while restraining creativity, innovation, and productivity. They believe, furthermore, that government economic schemes and interference with the free-market generally limits the earning capacity of all, and consigns people to dependency and poverty by restricting human potential and opportunity. Having led a large inner-city ministry for more than five years, I would place myself in the latter category—not because I am a “capitalist” but because my Christian faith combined with practical experience informs my views of creation, humanity, and work.
Frankly, I find that most people’s convictions are driven by emotion more than any coherent economic or moral philosophy. Given the enormous impact on humanity that economics carries, it is important that Christians offer sound moral and philosophical guidance on the nature and means of human economic activity.
What qualifies Christianity to speak on economics? Simply put, to properly understand economics, you must begin with a proper understanding of man. This is where most alternative worldviews immediately diverge. Fr. Robert A. Sirico, writing in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, offers a helpful starting point:
The Genesis account of creation tells us that from the beginning, humanity was created to work. God puts Adam in the garden to “work and watch over it.” The Scripture provides an insight into our nature: We are all, man and woman, called into this life to find our vocation, the work that is uniquely ours and contributes to the flourishing of the wider community.
At the center of all economic activity is human productivity. God himself calls us to be productive (see Genesis 1:28). That being said, we must strive to devise a system that seeks to balance certain essential interests. That would, no doubt, include a system that fosters the highest quality and most efficient means of production (i.e., excellence in all things; see Ecc. 9:10, 1 Cor. 10:31).
More than any other economic system, free-markets encourage quality and efficiencies by means of competition. In competition, both the interests of producer and consumer remains in balance. The best and most affordable product wins the loyalty of the consumer, and the producer must provide what people want or need at a price they are able and willing to pay. Centralized economies, on the other hand, diminish or eliminate this essential competitive condition.
Because of human sin, our economic system must include the promotion and enforcement of fair means of exchange and reward (see Prov. 20:23). Here again, competition proves vital. While the unscrupulous often succeed in a free market, once discovered the market can quickly punish swindlers. Whereas, in a government dominated system, this same moral frailty is amplified as the swindlers and enforcers are all too often inextricably linked. This rule and enforcement of laws is essential as this protects consumers from misrepresentations, fraud, and abuse, as well as unfair competitive advantages.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our economic system must seek to render the production of goods and services subordinate to man rather than making man subordinate (or slave) to the production of goods and services.
Since mankind bears the image of God and has been given authority over creation (see Genesis 1:26–30), he is not to be subjected to the creation but rather designed to function as steward over the resources created by God. In other words, man is not reducible to a cog in the machine but rather creator and master of the machine.
Work that reduces man to a mere tool of production degrades the dignity of both work and man. Similarly, an economic strategy that reduces man to an object of charity, dependent upon the state, likewise degrades the dignity of man.
Wherever man suffers subordination to work (toil) or is compelled by force to work for others, we are reminded of the Fall. However, the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus—the Messiah—inaugurates the in-breaking reign of God. As God’s people, we are to be a “sign and foretaste” of His kingdom to come—by resisting the effects of the Fall whenever and wherever we can and commending, by argument and example, the righteous standards of the kingdom.
Free markets, rightly regulated by the rule of law, offer inherent support for the dignity of man by driving innovation and ingenuity, making labor less burdensome and therefore more efficient. This is why we created the yoke and placed it upon the ox and not upon our children. Contrary to the claims of its critics, freedom in the marketplace further contributes to the dissolution of social, racial, and economic boundaries that otherwise constrain human productivity.
Finally, freedom in the marketplace encourages the creative capacity and dreams of the willing—through the promise of reward—to innovate and improve upon the production and delivery of goods and services that benefit others. Thus, they are willing to take risks, believing that any reward will be theirs and no claim can be made upon it by king or tyrant. In such a system, albeit far from perfect in this fallen world, human dignity abounds, flourishing spreads further and poverty diminished.
Thinking Christianly About Economics
What on earth does Christianity have to do with economics? In short: everything . . . if you think of economics as the system and means of production and exchange whereby people meet their own and each other’s essential needs.
Lest anyone presume otherwise, to think “Christianly” about economics and work does not imply that the Christian perspective must align with Republican, Democratic, or Libertarian political positions. Christian theology transcends all of these and to be fair, each may include—to one degree or another—aspects of Christian-informed economic ideas and philosophy. As Christians, our faith and Christian worldview, should inform our moral, political, and economic views, not vice versa.
To be sure, there is a debate raging in this country about the nature of economics and, more specifically, the role of government in promoting and/or achieving economic prosperity. When you add to this an increasingly polarized and hostile political culture, pervasive corruption among government and private sectors, and the rapid erosion of historic moral norms, it isn’t surprising that Americans are deeply divided, confused, frustrated, and angry.
On the topic of economics, Americans (including many Christians) range—either wittingly or unwittingly—between outright Marxism on the one hand, to free-market capitalism on the other, and various alternative iterations in between. Some are convinced that increased government control and regulation of the market will halt the greed and corruption that has become all too commonplace on Wall Street and in private enterprise. The logic being that increased government control will yield greater economic equity between the various socioeconomic classes.
In contrast, many believe that such increased government interference will merely accommodate different and more excessive forms of corruption, while restraining creativity, innovation, and productivity. They believe, furthermore, that government economic schemes and interference with the free-market generally limits the earning capacity of all, and consigns people to dependency and poverty by restricting human potential and opportunity. Having led a large inner-city ministry for more than five years, I would place myself in the latter category—not because I am a “capitalist” but because my Christian faith combined with practical experience informs my views of creation, humanity, and work.
Frankly, I find that most people’s convictions are driven by emotion more than any coherent economic or moral philosophy. Given the enormous impact on humanity that economics carries, it is important that Christians offer sound moral and philosophical guidance on the nature and means of human economic activity.
What qualifies Christianity to speak on economics? Simply put, to properly understand economics, you must begin with a proper understanding of man. This is where most alternative worldviews immediately diverge. Fr. Robert A. Sirico, writing in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, offers a helpful starting point:
The Genesis account of creation tells us that from the beginning, humanity was created to work. God puts Adam in the garden to “work and watch over it.” The Scripture provides an insight into our nature: We are all, man and woman, called into this life to find our vocation, the work that is uniquely ours and contributes to the flourishing of the wider community.
At the center of all economic activity is human productivity. God himself calls us to be productive (see Genesis 1:28). That being said, we must strive to devise a system that seeks to balance certain essential interests. That would, no doubt, include a system that fosters the highest quality and most efficient means of production (i.e., excellence in all things; see Ecc. 9:10, 1 Cor. 10:31).
More than any other economic system, free-markets encourage quality and efficiencies by means of competition. In competition, both the interests of producer and consumer remains in balance. The best and most affordable product wins the loyalty of the consumer, and the producer must provide what people want or need at a price they are able and willing to pay. Centralized economies, on the other hand, diminish or eliminate this essential competitive condition.
Because of human sin, our economic system must include the promotion and enforcement of fair means of exchange and reward (see Prov. 20:23). Here again, competition proves vital. While the unscrupulous often succeed in a free market, once discovered the market can quickly punish swindlers. Whereas, in a government dominated system, this same moral frailty is amplified as the swindlers and enforcers are all too often inextricably linked. This rule and enforcement of laws is essential as this protects consumers from misrepresentations, fraud, and abuse, as well as unfair competitive advantages.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our economic system must seek to render the production of goods and services subordinate to man rather than making man subordinate (or slave) to the production of goods and services.
Since mankind bears the image of God and has been given authority over creation (see Genesis 1:26–30), he is not to be subjected to the creation but rather designed to function as steward over the resources created by God. In other words, man is not reducible to a cog in the machine but rather creator and master of the machine.
Work that reduces man to a mere tool of production degrades the dignity of both work and man. Similarly, an economic strategy that reduces man to an object of charity, dependent upon the state, likewise degrades the dignity of man.
Wherever man suffers subordination to work (toil) or is compelled by force to work for others, we are reminded of the Fall. However, the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus—the Messiah—inaugurates the in-breaking reign of God. As God’s people, we are to be a “sign and foretaste” of His kingdom to come—by resisting the effects of the Fall whenever and wherever we can and commending, by argument and example, the righteous standards of the kingdom.
Free markets, rightly regulated by the rule of law, offer inherent support for the dignity of man by driving innovation and ingenuity, making labor less burdensome and therefore more efficient. This is why we created the yoke and placed it upon the ox and not upon our children. Contrary to the claims of its critics, freedom in the marketplace further contributes to the dissolution of social, racial, and economic boundaries that otherwise constrain human productivity.
Finally, freedom in the marketplace encourages the creative capacity and dreams of the willing—through the promise of reward—to innovate and improve upon the production and delivery of goods and services that benefit others. Thus, they are willing to take risks, believing that any reward will be theirs and no claim can be made upon it by king or tyrant. In such a system, albeit far from perfect in this fallen world, human dignity abounds, flourishing spreads further and poverty diminished.
Michael Craven serves as the Director of the Colson Fellows Program at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.
06/26/19
