Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Monday, February 23, 2009 1:47:55 PM
‘A failure of capitalism? This could never happen in a country where private property was respected and people were not subsidized by government to buy what they can't afford.’-Star Parker
Re: http://townhall.com/columnists/StarParker/2009/02/23/the_end_of_the_american_dream
Capitalism grew out of the Christian work ethic that came forth from the Reformation. It is called the Puritan work ethic, meaning that the worker always gives his best service honestly. He never steals time or goods from his employer. On the other hand the Christian employer must be fair to his workers and treat them well.
To the Puritans there was no division between nature and grace; the prevalent view of medieval theology was essentially wrong. It is not as though the heavenly things are holy but earthly things cursed or tarnished. To the Puritans grace must penetrate and permeate all earthly life and sanctify it, including business life and commerce.
The Westminster Larger Catechism gives us their understanding of property and commerce…
What is the 8th Commandment? Answer: The 8th Commandment is; Thou shalt not steal.
What duties are required by the 8th Commandment? Answer: The duties required in the 8th Commandment include the following: maintaining truth and faithfulness and justice in contracts and commerce, between man and man; rendering to every one his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof;...avoiding unnecessary lawsuits, the care to preserve and respect the property and rights of others just as we care for our own.
The Puritans maintained that the cultural mandate to explore and develop all creation was based on Genesis 1:28-30. The Christian is to strive to be perfect in every good work and as he so strives he knows that it is only God who can make him perfect in every good work [Hebrews 13:21]. Included in good works is every aspect of labor and research. Every lawful calling is to be pursued with excellence ‘as unto the Lord’.
The important principle is that the Puritans worked from the inside out; that is from the Church out into the world. It is right that Christians encourage the society in every realm: education, politics, economics, medicine, science. However it is possible to become so engrossed in our secular calling with all its exacting requirements that we lose the balance of Church and family. Balance is essential. The Puritans exemplified this balance.
During the pre-Reformation time grace and nature were separated. This is the concept of a two storey universe. Upstairs is spiritual and holy. Downstairs is sinful, fleshly and unholy. For example the clergy were forbidden to marry as though marriage were earthly and therefore sinful.
Luther partly reformed this and brought grace alongside nature, upholding the Biblical principle that marriage is to be honored by all. The Puritans taught in more detail than the Reformers that Biblical principles must be applied to every aspect of life. There are Biblical ethics for marriage, the bringing up of children and the home, for teachers and university professors, medical doctors, lawyers, architects and artists, for farmers and gardeners, politicians and magistrates, for businessmen and shopkeepers and for men of commerce and trade, for military men and for bankers.
It is not surprising to see capitalism attacked in our day. The base of Biblical Theology on which the Puritans built their work ethic and a constitutional government ruled by law securing the rights of life, liberty and property is being undermined by those who have lived under and enjoyed its benefits. Who knows better how to destroy capitalism than its enemies within the gates?
The hyper-egalitarians want more than equality under the law; they want equality in practice. And they are right that unfettered capitalism is their enemy. But Americans need to understand that neither liberty nor prosperity is their friend.