The Bible: Distributist Economics

[Jay]

Further, God commanded that the Israelites do this, because He was their King. You do not find him authorizing the Davidic dynasty to confiscate food, land, or property from the rich to give to the poor. It remained a command for the people to obey willingly without oppressive policies from the rulers.

Further, it this nation, the people are the rulers, not our elected officials in our state and federal capitals. We often lose sight of this fact, but that was what our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation were based on.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Jay

Further, God commanded that the Israelites do this, because He was their King. You do not find him authorizing the Davidic dynasty to confiscate food, land, or property from the rich to give to the poor. It remained a command for the people to obey willingly without oppressive policies from the rulers.

Actually you're wrong. God sent prophets to rebuke the entire nation for neglecting these precepts all the way up to the time of Amos and Malachi. Duh. Amos clearly draws out that leaders and land owners were in collusion to deny the poor their rights... just as God repeatedly rebuked the nation for usury. Study up.

Further, it this nation, the people are the rulers, not our elected officials in our state and federal capitals. We often lose sight of this fact, but that was what our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation were based on.

I know. I'm simply saying that when GOD crafted a nation... HE chose a distributist model.

If we are to have a righteous Christian society... we do well to look at how God defined national righteousness and social justice.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Actually you're wrong. God sent prophets to rebuke the entire nation for neglecting these precepts all the way up to the time of Amos and Malachi. Duh. Amos clearly draws out that leaders and land owners were in collusion to deny the poor their rights... just as God repeatedly rebuked the nation for usury. Study up.



I know. I'm simply saying that when GOD crafted a nation... HE chose a distributist model.

If we are to have a righteous Christian society... we do well to look at how God defined national righteousness and social justice.

You are incorrect. I said that He did not give the human government the authority to enforce this command. It was to be done on the part of the people in obedience to Him. The Davidic dynasty had no authority to enforce that law.

Usury is the charging of interest on money that is lent. God did not approve of this policy occurring between Israelites as they were not to profit from at their brother's expense. That is the direct opposite of a redistributionistic outlook.

Further, just because the grain was there on the ground or in the corners of the field, meant nothing if the poor were not harvesting. Essentially, they 'helped' the farmer in the field, and what they harvested was their wages. This is also not redistribution of wealth. It is mandated seasonal employment.