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Does the Bible Have Anything to Say About Our Economy?
A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism “Preface”
Some years ago the author of the next book I am going to discuss, Thomas D. Simpson, was asked to give a talk about the different economic systems and which were most compatible with biblical teaching. Out of the research for that talk, comes this book, “Capitalism versus Socialism: What Does the Bible Have to Say?”
As I researched the topic, it became clearer to me that the market-based systems are most consistent with the teachings of the Bible. Nonetheless the Bible doesn’t condone excesses that can develop in a market economy (or any other economy), and each of us has a responsibility to care for those unable to care for themselves and to resist the temptation for wealth to become an obsession in our lives and stand above God. (p. xiv)
He said he was not raised to think that way but came to the conclusion over time. Raised by parents who lived through the Great Depression, he was distrustful of markets and thought government was virtuous. These commonly held biases were explored by Peter Foster in his book, “Why We Bite the Invisible Hand,” which I have covered previously.
