CAN ANYONE TRULY BE A “CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST?” A STUDY OF THE QUESTION FROM THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE by Matthew J. Ulrich Portions of this presentation are adapted from “Communism and Socialism”, a series of lectures by Professor C.F.W. Walther D.D., translated from the German by Rev. D. Simon and published in 1879 by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri. All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.

We are living in perilous times. Time is short. This presentation is being published with the prayer that it will motivate pastors, teachers, and laymen to take action in the non-violent fight against the movement of our current government towards the Anti-Christian system of Socialism.

“ Solomon quite properly says: “The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all!” (Proverbs 22:2) “Whoever calls the difference between rich and poor, between great and humble, between authorities and subjects, a “state of injustice”, insolently calls the Lord God Himself, who has the power to do what He wishes with His own property, unjust, for God himself has ordered this difference among us fallen men!” Dr. C.F.W. Walther

“ Communist” “Socialist” “Progressive” “Economic & Social Justice Advocate” A viper by any other name….

For the purposes of this presentation, we will refer to them All, “Communists”, “Economic & Social Justice Advocates”, “Socialists” and “Progressives”, as: “Socialists”

The Socialists admit they are working step-by-step (“progressively”) to radically“transform” our sovereign nation via forced tax-payer funded “bail-outs”; the government take over of Healthcare, the U.S. Auto Industry, and Financial Institutions; by “partnering” with faith-based organizations (i.e.churches), (promising to expedite low interest building loans if they actively assist in advancing the government’s socialist agenda from their pulpits), ETC...

All Their Efforts Are Not only Unconstitutional, but are in Direct Conflict With the Teachings of The Holy Bible.

How Can We Say This? We not only do NOT find anything in the Bible in defense of the Socialist agenda or systems, but the Scriptures actually teach just the opposite.

In the first place, socialism is in direct conflict with the Scriptural teaching of personal property, as contained in the Seventh Commandment: "Thou shalt not steal.”

With these four holy words, Scripture denounces their agenda and overthrows the entire system of Socialism.

THIEVES!?! Please do not misunderstand me. By this I would by no means say that all socialists knowingly desire to steal out-right that which belongs to others. No indeed. On the contrary, they say “the rich” of this world are the real thieves for having so much personal property, while there are so many “poor” in the world.

But this is what I would say: Just as certain as the Seventh Commandment declares "Thou shalt not steal", so certain it is that everyone should have his own personal property. For, if according to God's will I should hold no personal property, God would not forbid others to take anything from me. Since God permits no one to take anything from me, it must be presupposed that I have something, and that is, PERSONAL PROPERTY. Consider this well.

Secondly, the efforts of the socialists are opposed to the Scriptural teaching of the Fifth Commandment: “Thou shalt not Murder.”

HOW SO?

The socialists do indeed state that they desire to bring about a “new world order”, introduced “peaceably”, and that they are willing to accomplish their goal in “small steps” (progressively). But, what they do not openly publish is that if they cannot accomplish it peaceably, they are ready to wield the sword and to fill the world with murder and conflagration, (i.e. purposeful reduction of the world’s population via euthanasia, false-flag terrorist events, enacting eugenics, etc.) so that by this means they may accomplish that upon which they claim: “the salvation of the world depends”.

But this conflicts with the Holy Scriptures, the Very Word of God: ”THOU SHALT NOT MURDER.” AND Respecting the government alone, regarding Capital Punishment: ”...he beareth not the sword in vain.” (Romans 13:4)

The socialist’s efforts are, in the third place, contrary to the duties and right conduct of Christian males and females in their respective life roles, as established by our CREATOR.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES! These differences in teachings pertain not only to the relationship of parents and children, husband and wife, but also to rich and poor, employer and employee. An honest examination of these teachings and every true Christian must say: ”Surely, if I will be a Bible Christian, I cannot rightly take part in these movements. The moment I connect myself with such an association, I either must cast the Bible into the flames, or I am a wretched hypocrite, who is carrying water on both shoulders, and walks lame on both legs."

The Socialist/Progressives openly preach (and endeavor to pass laws mandating) the acceptance and legitimacy of illicit activities of so-called “enlightened” individuals, who persistently and unabashedly promote and/or are themselves engaged in open sins of adultery, fornication, homosexuality, theft - (including the IRS enforced redistribution of wealth), murder by abortion, euthanasia, unlawful military actions, etc.

The socialists efforts are, in the fourth place, contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures, that through all kinds of troubles, God would draw man to Himself, try him and prepare him for Eternity.

The Socialists declare that they are sick of having the church hold out to the people a “prospective eternal life of bliss after death” and demand it rather preach “social and economic justice” in this life. They ridicule the Truth that those who believe what God has done for them in Christ and as a result manifest “fruits of faith” by bearing their crosses patiently in this life can expect the glory of heaven in the life to come.

"No," say they, ”We would rather have our heaven here; in this life we would be happy!" Some say: “It is, after all, very doubtful whether anything will be granted us in a future life.” Others say: “We are certain that all is a delusion.”

The Socialists... assert that as soon as they have gained control of government and instituted a New World Order, the “golden times” (of which there is no mention in Scripture) will begin, and that then all people shall be equally “rich”, inasmuch as all will then have “fair and equal” access to the treasuries and natural resources of the world.

But God does not promise us happiness in this world. In fact, we are told just the opposite by God, Himself. “…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) Those, therefore, who say that things shall no longer continue as they have, but that the human race shall finally become happy in some socialist utopia here on earth, speak against the Scriptures.

They are, in the fifth place, opposed to the Bible’s teaching that man shall eat his bread “in the sweat of his face”- (working for it). “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,…( Genesis 3:19) “…this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” ( II Thessalonians 3:10)

THE SOCIALIST PHILOSOPHY Every person, regardless of whether they work or not, has an equal “right” to good food, clothing, “affordable” housing, day care, health care, etc. AND The government should provide these to “the poor” through the forced re-distribution of wealth by (inequitable) taxation of it’s working citizens.

The socialist efforts are, in the sixth place, contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures that man shall not seek his happiness in this world, but in God. “…having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (First Timothy 6:8)

And finally, the efforts of the socialists contradict the teaching of the Scriptures, which says that Sin is the source of all trouble in this world. “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (Romans 5:12) "Sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34) "Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?" (Lamentation 3:39.)

The socialist movement is based upon the assertion that all that is needed in the world to bring their utopian dream to fruition is a proper social organization (one world government) and that once this is effected, all wars, trouble, want, famine, disease, etc. will be conquered and eliminated from the world.

It is not so however! The Bible tell us that God did indeed create man perfect in the beginning, but that man is now fallen, and that all trouble and wretchedness that exist in the world are but the just consequence of the fall into sin and shall remain until the end of the world.

“Unto the woman he (God) said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Genesis 3:16)

“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast harkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)

What person that claims the name of Christ, calling themselves a Christian, could take part in the efforts of the communists, socialists, progressives, or advocate “social and economic justice” with a clear conscience ?

IF YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH ANY OF THE SOCIALIST MOVEMENTS... …WHETHER KNOWING FULL WELL WHAT THE SOCIALIST AGENDA ENTAILS OR YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR EFFORTS THROUGH LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE … I BEG YOU TO DILIGENTLY SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES…

THEN CONFESS AND REPENT OF YOUR SIN… AND RENEW YOUR MIND AND SPIRIT THROUGH THE WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (First John 1:9,10)

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