Foundations of the Free Market

There are those who claim that the Bible does not teach a particular system of economics. There are others who claim that, since the Bible teaches that we should love and help our neighbors, that socialism is the most Biblical system.

I would like to make the case -- in a series of posts -- that a society which follows the specific teachings of Scripture will inevitably adopt a free market system.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen 1:1)

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Heb 11:3)

Precept #1 is that God is the Creator of all things. He is thus the model of all productive labor:

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exo 20:9-11)

One corollary of this precept is God's ownership of all that He has made:

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. (Psa 50:10-12)

Another corollary of this precept is that the Owner of all things has rightful authority to determine the disposition of all He has made:

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (Rom 9:20-21)

This precept and its corollaries (I do not pretend to have listed them all here) are the starting place for all economic theory and practice. That is because, since all things begin with God, our thought about all things must also begin with Him.

Continued in "Foundations of the Free Market, 2"

Happy Nativity-Day

Our Lord & King's birth has defined the destiny of this world and all its occupants. Most importantly for believers, it heralds the fact of their personal redemption. But it holds other lessons, as well.

This article by Lew Rockwell contains some worthy meditations on economic issues relative to the birth of Christ:

The Economic Lessons of Bethlehem

Purpose

God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter III, par.1)

God predetermines all things, and man has free will. This is the teaching of Scripture, and it is embodied in Reformed theology. To paraphrase R.J. Rushdoony, Predestination does not negate free will; it establishes free will.

The bottom line is that nothing happens outside God's plan, but man is still responsible. (It's a paradox. Get over it)

This means that Christians are called by God, who gifts them with a destiny. It also means that Christians are responsible to co-operate with their calling and destiny.

Part of that calling is to live out the character of Christ in all the departments of life: church, family, society and business. It is that last item that I want to make the focus of this blog -- at least for now.

That is to say, I want to record my observations about what the Bible teaches concerning economic principles (and perhaps even how they apply in our current national & international situation). But I also want to record this as a journal of my own trek into the world of business.

I have recently quit my job to become self-employed. I am not an expert in this field, and in fact I've failed in previous attempts to establish my own business.

Therefore, if you read this blog, don't come looking for an expert (I'M NOT!) who has the blueprint on how to prosper in business. Look at it as someone who is taking the steps, making the journey and will make mistakes as he looks to God's Word for guidance.

In a sense, I mean this blog to act as a sounding board for my ongoing efforts to co-operate with God's calling and destiny in this life, here and now. You are welcome to listen in and to join the conversation, as well.

The Protestant Rationale for Christmas

From ancient times the people of God have appointed special occasions for remembering and observing the great works of God, and for calling upon God in times of special need. Through the ages the Church has also appointed special days for remembering and rejoicing in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; His death, resurrection, and ascension; and the sending of the Holy Spirit. There may also be days recommended for recalling the heritage of the Church, proclaiming its mission, and forwarding its work. All of these may be observed in the public worship of God on the Lord’s Day. While worship on the Lord’s Day is a duty one owes to God, observing special occasions of worship is not obligatory and in such matters the believer’s conscience is not bound. (The ARP Directory of Worship)

There was a day when Puritans, both in England and America banned the celebration of Christmas as a holdover from Romish practices. They appealed to their Regulative Principle of Worship (i.e., that whatever Scripture did not expressly command in worship is forbidden).

I believe their error, as well as that of many today is to think of Christmas primarily as something belonging to the institutional Church. I see it, rather, as an affirmation and an assertion of Christendom: Christ's dominion over every people and nation.

I think Christmas is more about carrying the crown rights of King Jesus into the streets than about retreating into our safety zones for a feel-good time.

Our church is going caroling at 5PM today. The songs proclaim Christ, and we leave a piece of Gospel literature with them, as well. It may be one of the most appropriate evangelistic efforts we make all year long.

Prologue

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. (Eph 1:10-11)

My theology is Reformed, and I know that some readers will not like that. Nevertheless, it is so. Therefore, when I read the word predestinate above, I read it with the understanding that the incomprehensible God has included in His eternal decree "all things whatsoever that come to pass."

That is the cornerstone of my presuppositional base, from which this blog (and all my writing) springs. However, you don't have to agree with me to read this blog or to benefit from whatever I may have to say here.

You see, I've found that when most folks argue about predestination, they usually want to argue about the first three letters: pre-. That is, whether or not God marked out the believer's destiny from eternity. They do NOT generally want to question whether or not they HAVE a destiny in Christ. For them, it's a given.

And that's the reason you may benefit from what I write, even though you disagree with my presuppositions. That is to say, IF you are in Christ, God has destined you for an incredible inheritance. And this blog is going to address how Christians co-operate with their destiny and calling in this life.

There are many possible points of focus for a blog such as this. In my next post, I will reveal what the focus for the near-term will be.