Wealth and Poverty: Kuyper vs. Conwell
Poverty: general scarcity or the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. It is a complex concept, which includes social, economic, and political elements. Poverty has been existent since the start of civilization, and continues to be a present problem across the globe. It is a controversial subject in which there are countless opinions on how poverty should be approached. Some view it as an individual problem in which it should be solved individually, whereas others believe it should be solved through a supportive society. Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch journalist, statesman, and neo-Calvinist theologian, and Russell Conwell, an American lawyer, Baptist minister, philanthropist, …show more content…
“The Problem of Poverty” articulated his emphasis of religion towards the idea of poverty. Kuyper speaks of how he supports the ideals of a Christian socialist perspective. Christian socialists of the 20th century continually invoked Christ in provision of their ideals and held the Holy text as a primary reference, just as the speech “The Problem of Poverty” did. Christian socialists made the connection between social distress and Christianity just as Kuyper has done, whereas the church of the Netherlands has struggled to do. Kuyper had addressed the connection between the social issue of poverty and Christianity. He states that it is part of a Christians calling to give, and this includes our wealth. Kuyper encourages the Netherlands church to address this problem and act on it …show more content…
Although he does include mentions of a Christian view and how religion plays a role in business, it is not solely about faith, but more of a business minded perspective. Conwell’s title of his speech, “Acres of Diamonds”, reflects and foreshadows his ideals that there is a vast amount of opportunity for wealth for everyone. Through his speech, he elaborates on his idea that it is within everyone’s reach to attain wealth. He explains how he believes it is an individual’s duty to become wealthy and that money is power, in contrast to Kuyper’s beliefs that an individual’s obligation in society is to help and give to others. Conwell explains how he believes that poverty is a self-inflicted state or the cause of someone else; regardless he believes it is an easy solution of knowledge and hard work. In a sense “pulling yourself up from your own
Poverty: general scarcity or the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. It is a complex concept, which includes social, economic, and political elements. Poverty has been existent since the start of civilization, and continues to be a present problem across the globe. It is a controversial subject in which there are countless opinions on how poverty should be approached. Some view it as an individual problem in which it should be solved individually, whereas others believe it should be solved through a supportive society. Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch journalist, statesman, and neo-Calvinist theologian, and Russell Conwell, an American lawyer, Baptist minister, philanthropist, …show more content…
“The Problem of Poverty” articulated his emphasis of religion towards the idea of poverty. Kuyper speaks of how he supports the ideals of a Christian socialist perspective. Christian socialists of the 20th century continually invoked Christ in provision of their ideals and held the Holy text as a primary reference, just as the speech “The Problem of Poverty” did. Christian socialists made the connection between social distress and Christianity just as Kuyper has done, whereas the church of the Netherlands has struggled to do. Kuyper had addressed the connection between the social issue of poverty and Christianity. He states that it is part of a Christians calling to give, and this includes our wealth. Kuyper encourages the Netherlands church to address this problem and act on it …show more content…
Although he does include mentions of a Christian view and how religion plays a role in business, it is not solely about faith, but more of a business minded perspective. Conwell’s title of his speech, “Acres of Diamonds”, reflects and foreshadows his ideals that there is a vast amount of opportunity for wealth for everyone. Through his speech, he elaborates on his idea that it is within everyone’s reach to attain wealth. He explains how he believes it is an individual’s duty to become wealthy and that money is power, in contrast to Kuyper’s beliefs that an individual’s obligation in society is to help and give to others. Conwell explains how he believes that poverty is a self-inflicted state or the cause of someone else; regardless he believes it is an easy solution of knowledge and hard work. In a sense “pulling yourself up from your own