One of the defining features of capitalism is the motivation to work hard and have personal success in a society, making it a very individualistic structure of economy, and people must be selfish in order to become successful. In Proverbs, Solomon brings up personal wells and springs of water and says, “Let them be for yourself alone, and not for sharing with strangers” (Proverbs 5:17). Out of context, this sounds like it would be about self prosperity and selfishly keeping one’s water one’s self. In reality, according to the commentary found in The New Oxford Annotated Bible, water is a euphemism for sexual activity between husband and wife and is about faithfulness in marriage. Because being faithful to a spouse does not correlate to selfish
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When people live in consensus and take care of one another, they have the ability to create a meaningful life. According to William Montgomery Brown in his memoir Communism and Christianism, “Nations are made up of people, and human beings cannot let other human beings alone… Man cannot live unto himself, and no nation can live unto itself. We must find a way to live together on the same earth” (194). This illustrates the rapports that people in a society should build together, and the unity there should be within a community. People are designed to build and maintain strong relationships with other people. This is a way to make themselves not only feel like they have made an accomplishment, but in reality they have actually created a positive facet in not only their own life but in the lives of others. Another argument W. M. Brown makes against capitalism is that a society based on capital is not focused on the people, when it should be. He reveals his belief that “A capitalist government cannot represent human life. A capitalist government only represents things” (195) which implies that it is a government not fit to control the aspects of human lives. This depicts a major downfall of capitalism because capitalism ignores basic human decency and good will to others, and focuses on materialist views of what makes a life …show more content…
While looking at Proverbs, it is easy to take certain statements and jump to the conclusion that capitalism is a just and Christian form of government. However, this is not the only way to read Proverbs, and it can be read in a way that shines the light of communism. It is through other’s perspectives, like Qoheleth and W. M. Brown’s, that the connections between communism and capitalism become more obvious. With America viewing communism so poorly, and in support of the free market system by the majority of its citizens, while also being a country where Christianity is the most commonly practiced religion, there seems to be a disconnect with peoples religious beliefs and political
When people live in consensus and take care of one another, they have the ability to create a meaningful life. According to William Montgomery Brown in his memoir Communism and Christianism, “Nations are made up of people, and human beings cannot let other human beings alone… Man cannot live unto himself, and no nation can live unto itself. We must find a way to live together on the same earth” (194). This illustrates the rapports that people in a society should build together, and the unity there should be within a community. People are designed to build and maintain strong relationships with other people. This is a way to make themselves not only feel like they have made an accomplishment, but in reality they have actually created a positive facet in not only their own life but in the lives of others. Another argument W. M. Brown makes against capitalism is that a society based on capital is not focused on the people, when it should be. He reveals his belief that “A capitalist government cannot represent human life. A capitalist government only represents things” (195) which implies that it is a government not fit to control the aspects of human lives. This depicts a major downfall of capitalism because capitalism ignores basic human decency and good will to others, and focuses on materialist views of what makes a life …show more content…
While looking at Proverbs, it is easy to take certain statements and jump to the conclusion that capitalism is a just and Christian form of government. However, this is not the only way to read Proverbs, and it can be read in a way that shines the light of communism. It is through other’s perspectives, like Qoheleth and W. M. Brown’s, that the connections between communism and capitalism become more obvious. With America viewing communism so poorly, and in support of the free market system by the majority of its citizens, while also being a country where Christianity is the most commonly practiced religion, there seems to be a disconnect with peoples religious beliefs and political