A Christian Marxist?

[BigSkyBears]

Is that an oxymoron?

[Skjellyfetti]

I don't think so. I think it's silly to project modern political beliefs on Jesus... but, I certainly think a Marxist could find a lot to agree with in the Bible.

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.

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

Exodus 16:16-18:
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

[dbackjon]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

[kalm]

I don't think so. I think it's silly to project modern political beliefs on Jesus... but, I certainly think a Marxist could find a lot to agree with in the Bible.

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.

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

Exodus 16:16-18:
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

Joe the Plumber would hate Jesus.

Perhaps we should project Jesus onto modern political beliefs.

[BigSkyBears]

I don't think so. I think it's silly to project modern political beliefs on Jesus... but, I certainly think a Marxist could find a lot to agree with in the Bible.

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.

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

Exodus 16:16-18:
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

Nice post.

[SeattleGriz]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

Maybe I am misinterpreting the verse, but I always thought the Bible instructed that those who do not work, don't eat.

My point? Jesus might have been closer to a Marixist, but I am sure he didn't have to deal with so many deadbeats looking for a free hand out as there is today.

[Rob Iola]

I believe Pope John Paul II was a Marxist...



Oh wait, no - no he was not...

[Skjellyfetti]

And the current Pope acknowledges the failings of Capitalism.

[93henfan]

Yes, Christ was indeed a Marksman.

[ASUMountaineer]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

I don't think Jesus was concerned with political beliefs. He said to "give Ceasar what is Ceasar's," but basically left it at that. He was focused on the individual and the journey to the end goal. The verses SK posted are great, but they're not about political ideology, they're about a way of life for the individual and the brothers (and sisters) of the new faith.

Acts is a great book in the NT (it would make an awesome movie ). We recently read it in my Bible study, and if you believe it, there are some great stories in there.

Quoting Exodus is different than quoting Jesus. The OT, especially the Torah (which I'm reading now...and it's tough reading) is about the history of Yahweh's people and the establishment of the country of Israel. The country was to be a Theocracy, but only in the sense for themselves. There was no expectation to make other civilizations follow the style of governance they did.

My rambling is over, but basically, my point is that Jesus was not concerned with politics or governing, but with individuals, and helping others (which he taught was the role of the individual). Peace.

[Rob Iola]

I don't think so. I think it's silly to project modern political beliefs on Jesus... but, I certainly think a Marxist could find a lot to agree with in the Bible.

...

Except for that pesky "religion is the opiate of the masses" part...

[OL FU]

I do believe there is a big difference in Jesus asking people to be virtuous and provide to the poor and to share their wealth than forcing people to do so.

But I may have slept through that Bible class

[ASUMountaineer]

Yes, Christ was indeed a Marksman.

Perhaps that's what he meant by, "follow me and you'll be fishers of men."

[kalm]

Jesus on the issues:

Taxation: Tax and spend liberal

War on Terror: Pacifist - let the almighty kill the terrorists

Banking Reform: (see War on Terror)

Healthcare: Single payer.

Religion in Schools: pro

Gay Marriage: con

Environmentalism: pro

Abortion: con

See? He's all over the place, terrible candidate, completely unelectable.

[andy7171]

Jesus on the issues:

Taxation: Tax and spend liberal

War on Terror: Pacifist - let the almighty kill the terrorists

Banking Reform: (see War on Terror)

Healthcare: Single payer.

Religion in Schools: pro

Gay Marriage: con

Environmentalism: pro

Abortion: con

See? He's all over the place, terrible candidate, completely unelectable.

[Ibanez]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

MY JESUS CAN KICK YOUR JESUS' ASS! HE'S BETTER!

[ASUMountaineer]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

MY JESUS CAN KICK YOUR JESUS' ASS! HE'S BETTER!

I don't like Ibanez' persona...can we get gay Mark back? No homo.

[Ibanez]

MY JESUS CAN KICK YOUR JESUS' ASS! HE'S BETTER!

I don't like Ibanez' persona...can we get gay Mark back? No homo.

JESUS H. CHRIST

tell you what. make it a poll, let the people vote.




The "H" stands for Hal.

[UNI88]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

I agree as well. Christ would have been in favor of the communist utopia envisioned by Marx (from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs) but I'm not sure what he would have thought of Leninism, Maoism and the other bastardized realities that actually came to pass.

[Skjellyfetti]

Y'all are trying to projet Jesus's beliefs onto Marxism... that's impossible and silly to do. He lived ~2,000 years before Marx.

But, projecting Marx onto Christianity isn't that hard to do. And Marx probably got his "from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs" from the Bible verse I quoted above:

32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

[BigSkyBears]

Agreed SK - Christ was much closer to a Marxist than a Capitalist

I agree as well. Christ would have been in favor of the communist utopia envisioned by Marx (from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs) but I'm not sure what he would have thought of Leninism, Maoism and the other bastardized realities that actually came to pass.

Probably, but he certainly would have approved of the violent over throws. Didn't Marx believe in a violent revolution to over throw the proletariat? Maybe I need to brush up on my Marx?

[CID1990]

I don't think so. I think it's silly to project modern political beliefs on Jesus... but, I certainly think a Marxist could find a lot to agree with in the Bible.

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.

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

Exodus 16:16-18:
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

More proof that the Bible can justify anything you want to do to yourself or other people depending on how you read it.

[BigSkyBears]

I don't think so. I think it's silly to project modern political beliefs on Jesus... but, I certainly think a Marxist could find a lot to agree with in the Bible.

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.

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

Exodus 16:16-18:
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

More proof that the Bible can justify anything you want to do to yourself or other people depending on how you read it.

No doubt about it.

[93henfan]

More proof that the Bible can justify anything you want to do to yourself or other people depending on how you read it.

Hence, why I find it frightening to see someone speaking loudly holding a bible in front of a large group of people bobbing their heads up and down like automatons.

[BigSkyBears]

I agree that people can use the Bible to support whatever political and social opinion they have, but that doesn't mean as a Christian I can't read and study it.