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Confessions, Ruminations, Concerns and Rants about Christianity.
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2010
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July
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- Babble
- Private Ownership
- Compassion for Boat People
- Robots
- Halving World Poverty by 2015
- Converting from Atheism
- The Blessing of God Himself
- The Grass is Always Greener
- The Indifferent Universe
- Saving Private Ryan: Freedom, capitalism, and Joe ...
- Justice
- The Pianist II
- Why Physicists are Christians
- The Pianist I
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- God, Family, Church
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July
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Private ownership of what?
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a difficult issue, largely because it s up to the church to decide what we should do and in the absece of a decision, private ownership is the default.
In the early church it seems that loads of things were held in common, but it was what the church was asking for and they administered it. Without that drive to pursue it by the leadership we leave it to the individual to look after the needs of their communities (Christian and otherwise) as best they can. Unfortunately I don't think we are doing a great job at the moment. I don't think that the issue of shared and private ownership is the issue, but rather the hearts and motivation of men and the way that the chirches teach their members what they should do with their money.
I think. Maybe.
I mean of anything and everything.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have heard similar about the early church. I think it was Irenaeus who had some pretty strong views against private ownership. I'm glad it was an issue in the early church.
I agree that the church today does not (necessarily) want the job of administering wealth. And so I agree that we then leave it to the individual. And I agree that we are not doing such a great job.
But I don't agree that the issue is then 'the hearts and motivation of men' and church teaching.
I certainly agree that good hearts throughout the church would alleviate many problems. But equally well, common ownership could do the same thing.
My issue is that I'm not sure I can agree with private ownership as an ideal over (godly) communal dispensation.
Biblical precedent? Do not store up riches for yourself. If we each take what we need and give the rest away, then essentially that is communal ownership. If everything that passes through my hands is used if needed, but passed on if not, then that thing was treated as though I have no claim to it over anyone else.
So the logical conclusion of generosity and moderation, is the dissolution of private ownership!