The Christian or Biblical Communism is a religious and radical theory based upon the idea that communism is the ideal shared system for Christians which is based on the lessons of Jesus Christ.
Biblical communism is a form of Christianity based on religious communism. The believers argue that it was practiced by Jesus Christ and the believers themselves, often confirmed by many independent historians.
History of Biblical Communism and Socialism
One matter of debate which comes up every so often is the linking between avid evangelical Christianity and equally avid anti-communism.
In the minds of many Americans, non belief and communism are permanently linked and radical actions conflicting to Biblical Communism have long taken the form of firming America’s public Christianity.
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Many Christian communists assert to gain evidence in the Acts of the Apostles, Bible about the exact date when Biblical Communism was established.
The Bible suggests that the 1st Christians, including the apostles, created a small community in the years following the death of Jesus and resurrection called Christian Communism.
Biblical Communism existed could be proved by the biblical texts in Acts 2 and 4 of the Apostles. Acts 2:44-45,
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
Biblical Socialism is a political and social belief that socialism with the religion of Christianity.
It endorses the left-wing economics based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy Bible.
What Does “In God We Trust” Mean?
The national motto “In God We Trust” was established by the American government on all the coins in the year 1950, because of the huge religious sentiment existing during the civil war.
It was also for this motive that “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance around the same time.
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It was due to these things one could easily get into the impression that Jesus was an early venture capitalist and that the Bible is some sort of thesis on capitalism.
However, the exact opposite of this is true, might be a true surprise many of you out there.
The book of Acts has 2 clear passages showing the very communistic nature of the early Christian community:
(Acts 2:44-45) All that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
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(Acts 4:34-37) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had to need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”).
He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Inspirations of Biblical Communism from Old and New Testaments
A very popular line by Marx’s i.e. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is believed to have the inspiration from the New Testaments.
Instantly behind this 2nd passage is a very exciting story about a pair, Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a part of assets but only gave the public a portion of the takings, keeping some of it for themselves.
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When they were confronted by Peter, they immediately fell and die, giving the impression to the others that they were struck dead.
Murder bourgeoisie landlords who fail to give all of their cash to the civic? That’s not just communism, that’s Stalinism.
Apart from this, numerous other statements clearly mention the emphasis on helping the needy.
Such as Jesus Christ recommending the rich or wealthy to sell their possession to help the poor, if in case they wish to go to heaven after their death.
The Old Testament also shows that something parallel to biblical communism is the better way to live:
This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather of it, every man of you, as much as he can eat; you shall take an omer apiece, according to the number of persons who each of you has in his tent.
And the people of Israel did so; they gathered some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to what he could eat. (Ex. 16:16-18)
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Thus, there is no surprise that many Christians have adopted the ways of living suggested in Biblical communism theology and stories. These all are mostly based on various communist ideas.
Such groups include the Shakers, Mormons, Hutterites and more.
This is not an issue with the teachings of the Bible but with the people who tend to follow the teachings without the proper understanding of their true significance and lack of investigation.
Some surely take ways like the above to heart, spectator the robust social ethic of many Catholics and the very communistic Liberation Theology which has settled out of Catholicism.
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Most, yet, simply disregard the above passages just as they overlook so much else which is ethically or morally difficult.
Does the Bible Say Christians Should Be Communists?
Well, Biblical Communism does not necessarily mean that all the Christians are Communists. Here are 5 reasons, how this can be interpreted;
1. The Acts are based on an emergency based aid system
The believers are concerned when a storm strikes and therefore people try to help the needy by providing them food, shelter and clothing.
After the incident of Pentecost, thousands of people who trusted Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem where they didn’t plan to spend their entire time.
They were in great need and therefore all those who had resources helped each other.
Thus, we could say that providing aid at the time of need is entirely different from following the principle timeless times to all the time.
2. Bible is a narrative account and less about perspectives
Bible is full of stories and that is why we have said that is a narrative account and less of perspective. In the stories, people are good or bad. They either flourish or commit sins.
But we all agree that it would be wrong to say,
“King David committed adultery with Bathsheba. It’s in the Bible. Therefore, you and I should do that.”
If we were to say that, we would be unclear narrative with a prescription. Narratives are just narratives i.e. the things that occurred, both good and bad.
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But here’s the vital question: What does the Bible tell us to do?
Nowhere in the Bible are we told that we are to live in a socialistic, communistic economic system.
So I think the right that the Acts instance is a normative typical is to make the error of overseeing and puzzling narrative and prescription.
3. Verbs used in Acts 2 and 4 Don’t imply a Permanence
Well, we have not here the complete information on Greek texts but the verbs used in Acts 2 and 4 don’t imply perpetuity or finished action (a once-and-for-all event).
They mean an incomplete action or something that is still in progress. The NIV has a great translation of Acts 4:34:
From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, and brought the money from the sale, and brought it to the apostles’ feet.
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Thus, depending upon the situation people liquidated to help others in need of help.
The channel doesn’t say that to become a Christian, you must closely liquidate your capitals and routinely share with everybody.
So the verb tenses are quite significant, and the form of Scripture that you’re analyzing may help inform you on this specific channel.
4. Difference between the other Biblical and the Act teachings
The parable of talents explains that the Christ is okay with different people getting a different level of abilities and all not being on the same level i.e. some might get 5 talents while the other will get just one.
Additionally, think of Paul who deeply labored as a tent maker to pay his bills and meet his own physical needs as he aided the church.
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Paul never said, “Wait a minute. We’re all supposed to liquidate and have an equal share of the pie. It’s not fair that I need to work and you’re not working” (or vice versa).
Paul was flawlessly fine with working.
5. Peruse Economic Justice, not economic Equality
Jesus is in no way interested in how much money we have. If you have a lot of wealth that means you have worked hard to achieve it.
Or God’s grace and blessing ere on you so you gained all the wealth and popularity. But in case you have stolen or have cheated someone to become rich then you are sinful.
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You might be poor because of chosen the life of austerity. You might have decided to live a simple and clean life as a student of nature.
But if you are poor because you were marginalized by others or your wages were not given to you or someone forced you into this thing then it is no good.
God is not focused on the amount of wealth you have. He is only worried about what path you choose and how you are dealing with different life situations.
Conclusion
So if we read Acts 2 and 4, you might get the idea that all the Christians believe in Biblical Communism and some might feel sad or guilty about it.
You might feel that you have got more than others and thus you are the privileged once and others are suffering because of you, which is not true.
We should not misunderstand the text and should focus more on promoting economic equality and biblical justice altogether.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What are Biblical communism and socialism?
In the standard Marxist meaning (pure communism), a communist economy refers to an arrangement that has attained a superabundance of things and facilities due to a surge in technical ability and advances in the dynamic forces and so has excelled socialism (see post-scarcity economy).