Would Christian Socialism Work?

A Comparison of Christian Socialism

--Story from the internet--
Many people have sent this one to me. I don't know if it is true or not, but it is a fine example of socialism in action.

An economics professor at Texas Tech said he had never failed a single student, but had once failed an entire class.

The class (students) insisted that socialism worked since no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer. The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism."

"All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so no one will fail and no one will receive an A."

After the first test the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who had studied hard were upset while the students who had studied very little were happy.

But, as the second test rolled around, the students who had studied little studied even less and the ones who had studied hard decided that since they couldn't make an A, they also studied less. The second Test average was a D.

No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around the average grade was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame, name calling, all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for anyone else.

To their great surprise all failed.

The professor told them that socialism would ultimately fail.

The harder people try to succeed the greater their reward (capitalism) but when a government takes all the reward away (socialism) no one will try or succeed.
--End of Story from the internet--



Socialism fails. But the early Christian church practiced a form of socialism, which we can call "Christian socialism," and it worked (see references below). But there is a very major difference.
Why did Christian socialism work?

If this were Christian socialism, the story would go more like this ...
The class immediately went to work. Those who were fast readers read out loud to a group who could not read as fast. Several study guides were distributed, so they could be compared and studied together. Study groups were set up, and everyone was involved.
Well, everyone except Albert. Albert has always done very poorly in school. Albert didn't show up to the study group, and he never looked at the study guide he received. Trying to help, the class organized a study group at Albert's house. They made sure he was involved, asking questions, and challenging his responses to make them better. Albert did not tolerate this for long. He sent them all away. He did continue to show up to the "coffee and cookies" study sessions, though he didn't seem to participate in much other than the cookies.
When the grades came back, most were As, a few Bs, and 1 F -- Albert.

In Christian socialism, standards and judgment are not taken away. It is community helping fellows, not averaging of results. It is everyone working together to meet the same standard, not redefining the standard to the average.

In socialism, judgment (result) is spread out so all share equally.
In Christian socialism, all share and work together to prepare each for the judgment.



The book of Acts shows us the example of Christian socialism.
Acts 2:44-45 "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
Acts 4:32-35 "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. . . . There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

However, we notice this striking difference that I mention above in these verses:
Acts 5:1-5
"Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened."

2 Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

I Timothy 5:8-10
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds."

The God who is Everywhere

The other day, I realized how great it is that God is everywhere (omnipresent). I was praying for the persecuted church. You know, my problems are really very small compared to what they are facing. If anyone needs the presence, power, and grace of God, it is them. If God were not everywhere at all times, surely He would be with His children who are being persecuted. That means He wouldn't be with me.
But He is with me, always. He is even willing to dwell inside of me. I am happy to serve the God who is always present!

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Tastes Like Baloney (A Taste of Evolution)

Ice cream and spoiled beef, clorox bleach and antifreeze.
Have you ever wondered why you have taste buds?

Eating lunch suddenly became a problem in trying to understand our supposed evolutionary structure. It seems that if the separating factor is survival of the fittest, our sense of taste has gone disastrously wrong. According to an article on Bio-Medicine.org, "The endless struggle for survival in nature inevitably boils down to finding food and eluding predators." (1)

If evolution is true, why do we have taste buds?
Taste buds are almost entirely worthless in the evolutionary sense.

Ok, imagine this -- you are suddenly cast into a primitive food-finding area (which could just mean there is no supermarket nearby). You know that some plants/foods are poisonous, while others are safe and beneficial. You put one in your mouth, and it tastes . . . good. Sorry friend, but your evolutionary mechanics just killed you.

Good!? Why does it taste good? Why does it make you smile or frown? If evolution is true, I would expect it to taste either harmful or prosperous. Why does my body make a distinction between an apple and an orange, but has some trouble between parsnips and poison hemlock? (2)

Taste buds often fool and mislead us. It is not uncommon for us to like what is really poison, and dislike that which is good for us. Antifreeze tastes very good, but is a deadly poison. While you are preparing to reply that it is man-made, I am pondering all of the natural plants that are the same way. Many (if not most) of the best-for-you vegetables taste so nasty that we could not choke them down (and they are not sold in stores because no one would buy them). The taste of some might even cause us to vomit them up again. Why has our evolution so destroyed us?

What benefit is there to taste? To be beneficial, taste ought to detect the difference between poison and non-poison.
But taste buds give like and dislike, enjoyment, pleasure, and disgust. None of these are survival instincts. How did something like this come through the survival of the fittest? Why something so worthless to our survival? Why don't we only detect poison, or protein, or indigestibility?

But if there is a God who created us in His image--
If we were modeled after a God who has likes and dislikes, enjoyments, pleasures, and disgusts--
Why, then it makes perfect sense.




(1) http://news.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-3/Can-a-taste-for-poison-drive-speciation-3F-1817-1/
(2) http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=550
http://webecoist.com/2008/09/16/16-most-unassuming-yet-lethal-killer-plants/

Principles for Music

Principles for Music / Media
notes from Aldersgate Music Class
Led by Sam Mokoli and David Lorimer

1. What do the lyrics say?
2. Do the lyrics glorify God?
3. What is the real message of the song?
4. Is the message true?
5. Can I worship God while listening to this music?
6. What does this teach me?
7. What does this teach me about God?
8. How does it use the name of Jesus/God?
9. Does this music control me?
10. How does my spirit respond when I listen to this music?
11. What does this song promote? What does this song glorify?
12. What does the Bible say about music?
13. Does this make me want to be more like God?
14. Would God like it?


These are in no particular order. This is the point summary of the lessons and discussions we had during the class. Aldersgate campers -- We had a great time and enjoyed being with you all. Hope you have a great year!

Don't Think and Drive (8)

Traveling in Pennsylvania is confusing and frustrating. The designs and laws don't make sense ... unless, of course, you are driving a horse and buggy. You see, PA was the first state to have interstates, parkways, and major highways. But as is so often true of the first to do something, it appears they got stuck there, and have not been as progressive as other states who followed after.
Even though they have some strange laws, and a seemingly overbearing set of laws and reminders, after being around PA drivers, it seems they need it!

One of the best KY driving laws is that we must have our headlights on if our wipers are on. I didn't know how great that was until I drove in a place without it!

PA seems to run slower. In KY, a state highway is 55 mph. That's all there is to it. In PA, a state highway might be 45, 35, or 25. Only rarely will you see one that is 55. I looked forward to 4-lane divided highways so I could drive 55! Between the speed limits and the road construction on PA main roads and interstates, I could have made better time driving country roads in WV! (and if you've driven in WV, you understand what I'm saying.) But don't worry, PA has already thought of that. They slowed their country roads to 35 and 45. I've heard it said that things go slower in the South, but I don't agree. But they know and understand this concern. A couple times, I came across a sign that boldly proclaimed, "Slow-Moving Vehicles." Isn't that the truth!

Perhaps these numbered signs are just suggestions, or perhaps left over relics from a bygone era. As it was, it wasn't uncommon to find drivers going 80 in a 55 zone, or on the other hand, 45 in a 65 zone (this is another funny story, but best not told here).

PA is famous for its toll roads. Perhaps they have gone a bit overboard though. I paid $1.00 to drive on their road for 2 miles!

It seems they are rebuilding PA. I believe that every single road I drove on in PA (which was a lot) was under construction. And remember, if the 4-lane divided highway was 55 before, it's 45mph with construction! They spent an awful lot of money on Road Construction signs. I think they could have saved bundles by putting up non-construction signs! "No Road Construction - next 3 miles"
Again, it is not accidental. PA understands how much road construction there is. In fact, on one road, they went so far as to permanently mount the road construction warning signs! (Yes, tall steel and concrete posts, complete with digital readout road construction signs.)

When on an entrance ramp to a highway under construction, there is a stop sign at the end of the ramp. You see, if you didn't stop, you might actually be moving fast enough to not get hit when you try to merge with traffic. It's always best to come to a complete stop, so when you pull out you can get t-boned.

In KY, when we work on a road, we put in some options. We might build a false ramp or a false lane, so you can get where you need to go while we are working. In PA, options are optional. I got the distinct impression that the signs should read, "Road Closed -- Too Bad."

As we were traveling West again, we were greeted with huge (overly huge) road signs pointing the way to Indiana. I understand. By that time, I wanted out of PA too!

It's not all bad though.
Driving in the country near Lebanon, I stopped beside the road to take in an unusual sight. It was late, and completely dark. Yet, the entire field, as far as the eye could see, was full of lights. Thousands upon thousands of lightning bugs were glorifying their Creator in a dazzling display like I have never seen before.

PA has features that would split an evolutionist's head open. For example, I drove through a section of vertical strata. Now, as best I understand, this was dirt that formed a thin vertical layer, standing straight up because of some air currents or such. Across millions of years, other thin layers of dirt also came alongside, all standing perfectly vertical. After a long time, some grass grew and finally held it all together. . . . VERTICAL STRATA??

On one road that had 3 separate ramps leading to it, they were kind enough to post a sign pointing to one ramp that read, "Enter Here." -- Thanks guys, I really wasn't sure which of the 3 ramps was for me!

I was arrested by another sign that ordered, "Do Not Pass." I stopped and waited for some time, but it never changed. Eventually, in defiance of the law, I passed it anyway.

I was shocked and baffled as I came to an intersection with a sign demanding "No Turns." Then, would someone please explain why this intersection is here!?

You know you're in flat country when there are large orange signs announcing "Curve Ahead!"


One area I drove through was littered with signs of recession. Everywhere I looked were closed businesses and abandoned buildings. There was one exception, which was even more sad. There was one business segment still going strong -- liquor stores.


As I was driving along a country road, I was startled to see a hitchhiker sitting on my hood. It seems an ordinary housefly had decided to use my car as an aircraft carrier. Glancing around, I spotted 3 flies riding on the hood of my car. How they held on, I have no idea. Just hitch a ride, will ya!

Some people are simply dyslexic, but they get hired anyway.
I prepared myself after seeing a sign announcing, "Left Lane Closed Ahead." But shortly after, the next sign read "Right Lane Closed Ahead." -- There's only two lanes guys - are you telling me the whole road is closed!?

Later, I was surprised to see a unique WEIS sign (Weis is a supermarket chain in PA). Someone had installed this particular lighted sign inside out, so when viewed from either side, the words were mirrored!


Random big blue question marks beside the road make me feel confident and assured -- NOT!

I did not take the turn to "Fox Run Equine Center." -- What animals are they working with, anyway?

The truck said "Hazmat Environmental Group, Inc." -- Say What?

I saw an intersection to "Plank Rd." -- I can only imagine what it's like to drive on that!
I saw a sign to the town of Export. Curious, I looked for the road name. Sure enough, the road was "Italy."
Actual road name: "Scenic Drive."

Someone's idea of a practical joke: I was initially confused as I approached a sharp left-hand corner. Someone had turned the second chevron upside down, so the first arrow pointed left, and the second to the right!

Beware what you put on your church sign. At first glance, one church seemed to have their own propaganda placard. Their sign read,
"Believe
Rev. Jones"

Ever been told you are stupid? In a WV rest area, I was greeted with this sign,
"If vending machines aren't working, contact WV society for the blind." -- They'll send a blind person out right away to fix the machine you can't make work!

Never trust Microsoft for Directions:
I didn't look over the directions very closely before I left (first mistake), and was understandably surprised to be greeted with my next maneuver: "*Check Timetable* Take Ferry (East)." -- WHAT!?


I approached a sign declaring "State Law -- Move over for stopped emergency vehicle." -- This isn't so odd, except that this sign had a police car underneath, having just pulled someone over. That was fast signage! Do they pay pennies to starving peons to set up signs whenever a car pulls over, or is this a pop-up sign off the back of the cruiser?

One day, I drove from Gas City to Gassaway, oddly reminiscent of my fuel guage.

A clear message is proclaimed by Rule #1 posted the softball backstop: "No Pepper on Fences."


I'm not sure why these fish were so worth protecting, but they must be real winners:

"Fishing for age 12 and under only. $50 Fine" -- I think most of the campers at that camp were definitely fishing for Ages 12 and up! Oh wait, or does that mean the age of the fish?

"Fishing permitted only by the following persons: ...
Persons so severely handicapped they are unable to cast or retrieve a line or bait hooks and remove fish." -- Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that mean fishing is only allowed by people who are completely unable to fish!?

There were similar fishing warning signs posted everywhere. Naturally, you would expect them to be near a location with fish. But they were prominently displayed all around a creek that ran about 6 inches deep, and I've never seen a fish in it.


Did you hear about the blonde who was stuck in a U-Haul?
She refused to exit a moving vehicle.