This cartoon, produced by Harding College in 1948, predicts the results of forfeiting freedom to the government in exchange for protection. The ‘Bible advocate’ understands that true security comes from trusting the God of the Bible, not government. While this video is correct in its assessment of the value of freedom, lets not forget that freedom originates from God. The principles that many today consider “conservative” have their origins in scripture. The not so secret reason for our success as a nation has been indelible influence the Bible has had on our land.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;” -Psalm 33:12
“I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:” -Genesis 12:3

An MIT or Harvard degree in Macroeconomics does not necessarily make one a good advisor of financial policy or a qualified predictor of national growth and decline. In fact, most recently, “enlightened” economists have gotten it wrong time and time again! A recent New York Times article entitled How did Economists get it so Wrong? (September 2, 2009) exhausts the same old rhetoric as to our economic woes and seeks to explain the downfall of a formerly revered profession. Nobel recognized economist, Paul Krugman reviews the recent woes and opines the calamitous counsel of such sage advisors as Olivier Blanchard (IMF Chief), Robert Lucas (Former President of the American Economists Association), and Ben Bernanke (Chairman of the Federal Reserve), as well-meaning, but at the whim of sinister forces of greed. Such damage control on the part of yet another economist on behalf of said species is all part of the voodoo rhetoric meant to soothe the masses into believing the nation’s economy is in good hands.

After another elitist lecture on the history of economic theory, Krugman falls back into a defense of Keynesian economics which basically states that the government is justified, yea, must be involved in even more regulation and manipulation (a.k.a. soft socialism). The salvation of American markets is ‘more of the same?’

What both right and left alike have in common today is that they believe with religious fervor their philosophies as to the flow of money can ‘manage’ inflation and depression. “Trust the markets” is countered by “remember 1929!” Neither side looks to the creator of money and manager of wealth – Jehovah God, as an economic factor of any consequence. Neither would allow the Bible or it’s principles into the discussion. Yet, both sides practice their own “voodoo” doctrines with far less substantiated proofs, citing only “consumer confidence” and “market trends” and “successful European models”. Are we mesmerized by such shamanism?

Adam Smith’s treatise “Wealth of Nations” in 1776 claimed there is an “unseen hand” in free market economies that equates to a miraculous ‘X factor’, a veritable missing link, making ‘capitalism’ the better ideology. The Apostle Paul would have responded to that notion something like this, “The economic ‘unseen hand’ you ignorantly worship, declare I unto you.” [See Acts 17:23 for allusion].

God almighty controls oil deposits and gold discoveries, crop successes and weather catastrophes, winners in war and losers in politics. He is the one rock of economic sureness that Americans have counted on. Does not our national anthem plead in prayer, “may God thy gold refine”? We must continue to trust and obey the not so secret hand that feeds us. Righteousness and morality, generosity and hard work, responsibility and friendship toward Israel are as keen of economic indicators as are interest rates and trade tariffs. Forming NAFTA or EU like trading blocks will just bring larger cycles of flash and then bang! Let’s quit listening so intently to the Economist and start looking to the Book of Books for our personal and national policies. The Creator of wealth and nations has much to say about it. (See Dr. Levesque’s “The Design and Destiny of Nations” online at www.biblenation.org)

Recently, the media was a buzz with environmental topics surrounding the celebration of Earth Day.  However, this year more than previous years, the capitalists of our day “capitalized” on the event.  Local grocery stores began selling reusable shopping bags.  Manufacturers began promoting products made from recycled materials.  Capitalism was going green.  To the Environmentalist this must be “anathema” that someone might profit from the earth.  Environmentalists would have us to believe man has enslaved the planet to whom reparations are now owed.  It has been said that capitalism works every time.  In a free society capitalism will even thrive in an environment where it is considered the enemy.

Capitalism is often defined as pure greed, which it can often devolve into.  The Environmentalist then blames corporate greed as the cause of the planets hypothetical problems.  However, is the ethical capitalist, who is guided by Biblical principles an enemy of the planet?  In reality, the Bible advocate is the best steward of the earth.

Preservation of Renewable Resources

The ethical capitalist understands that his future profit is dependant on the preservation of resources to continue to produce goods.  History tells the story of many capitalists who over extended a resource, the fishery that was over fished, or land which was over farmed.  As greed overpowered the prudence of stewardship, resources were depleted and ultimately a successful business failed.  The principles of capitalism worked.  In contrast, the ethical capitalist manages the resource motivated by continual annual profits thereby making him the best steward of the land, because his life depends on it.

Conversely, the Environmentalist insists that the Earth never be touched by man.  He believes that the planet is the best steward of itself.  This summer the news will again be filled with reports of out of control wildfires.  It is not by accident that California will be plagued by many of these fires.  The Environmentalist agenda of “not to touch” the Earth has predominated the politics and policies of California.  The unmanaged land has now become thick with undergrowth which makes the land ripe to destructive fires.  The best manager of the Earths renewable resources is the man whose livelihood and existence depends upon it.

Ingenuity of Replacing Finite Resources

The ethical capitalist understands that certain resources have a limited supply, although not as limited as we are led to believe.  This understanding causes the ethical capitalist to become ingenious in his use of finite resources.  He is driven to preserve profit.   Therefore, he develops technology that allows him to become more efficient, using less of the resource to produce the same amount of product.  By doing this he saves cost by using fewer raw materials and preserves the resource by extending its longevity.  The ethical capitalist also spends resources to discover new technology that will allow him to produce the same product from a different and hopefully cheaper, renewable resource thereby ensuring his continual profits.  History has shown that capitalism rooted in Biblical principles will produce the most energy efficient, resource saving business models.

The Environmentalist takes a different approach.  He encourages government intervention to manage finite resources.  This comes in the form of excessive taxation of the resource or even denial of access to the resource.  A nation is divinely blessed with natural resources (see Design & Destiny of Nations: Location), but the Environmentalist will deny their use by establishing “not to touch” federal wilderness areas.  Fear of potential oil spills has prevented the utilization of natural oil reserves.  This management is not led by profit or efficiency but by an improper worshipful view of the planet.  To never cut down a tree or kill an animal is to forfeit a God given responsibility to utilize and manage resources.  The Environmentalist has elevated the creation above the creator and demoted man to the bottom of the hierarchy of creation.

A Biblical Model: Work, Subdue, and Dominion

Genesis 1:26-28, “ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth…. and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

The Genesis garden describes principles of ethical capitalism which promotes a healthy environment.  The first principle is the idea of Work or labor.  Work existed before the Fall and was part of the expectations for Adam living in the Garden.  The ethical capitalist understands that profit comes from labor whether physical or intellectual. 

The second principle is the idea to Subdue or control.  Adam was to inject his will upon the environment.  The tending of a garden requires the gardener to project his vision upon the physical environment.  The ethical capitalist understands in order to maximize profits he must shape the land.

The third principle is the idea to have Dominion or manage.  Adam’s work in the garden would never be complete.  Through observation and experience Adam would continue to manage resources to ensure continued profits.  This became of even greater importance following the Fall as the possibility of extinction and introduction of pestilence were added to the equation.  The ethical capitalist understands to ensure continued profits he must manage the resource.
             So long as the ethical capitalist is free to exert control over his property both intellectual and physical he will thrive.  The Bible advocate understands that he has the proper perspective on the planet’s resources and is best suited to influence our national environmental policy.

By Dr. Douglas F. Levesque, Founder of The Levesque Institute

While Bible advocates are admonished in Scripture to be good citizens, and pray for their civil authorities, there are equally as many pervasive admonitions given to those same authorities.  In the United States of America such authority has always had this Biblical connotation of ‘public servant’.  When our leaders fail they are subject to public scrutiny.  When they purposely depart from proven, established and principled processes of governance they must also be subject to the critical eye from those they serve and represent.

Should we allow our executive to single handedly change our capital system of economics to the current Euro-centric, Hyper-feudalistic model?  Is our President allowed to ‘own it all’?

Imagine this headline “Executive Branch uses Murder to Cover-Up Private Property Seizure.”  Such a news story would be scandalous indeed; hearings would be started, impeachment would be called for, the courts would be convened, and confidence in government would falter.  Such a news story may not be so far-fetched if the Constitution and free markets are killed in order to gain control over the wealth and assets of the citizenry.

Today, our Bible based economic heritage is being pulled up from underneath us.  If only the Scripture had insight to offer us in this matter.

Evil Intentions

Modern day administrations are not the only ones with questionable motives.  Ancient Israeli King Ahab (874-853 B.C.) felt he needed a particular parcel of land for a certain use, and in a certain proximity to his seat of government.  The offer to swap parcels or purchase for cash was made to the owner, Naboth.  He refused the kingly authority based upon several reasons. First, the land was a family inheritance.  It was his economic heritage, and was not for sale.  Second, the parcel was a working vineyard, and no doubt a profitable one.  The practicality of its use was immeasurable to Naboth.  And lastly, it was personally owned, and therefore within the will of the owner to keep or dispose with at his leisure.  Ahab was bothered by the refusal.  His queen and powerful aide, Jezebel, determined to acquire the property with an evil plan. 

The present day lust for power, and evil inspired designs to steal our economic heritage may also be resisted.  However, the consequences for Naboth were dire.

Abuse of Power

Naboth was singled out for ‘recognition’, put in the spotlight, then falsely accused.  A false trial and illegitimate execution led to the death of the “capitalist”.  His property was then seized and given to the king.  Ahab had plausible deniability before his constituency, but not before Almighty God.  I Kings chapter 21, tells of the Lord’s response through Elijah the prophet, “Thou has sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.”, and, “thou hast provoked me to anger and made Israel to sin.” (verse 20 & 22).

“Thou shalt not covet, steal and kill” remain as pillars of the law and part of ‘the Ten Commandments’.  These are personal codes as well as national ones.  They apply to citizens and kings, business owners and presidents.  Though power is often abused, it is never without notice by our just lawgiver and divine purveyor of justice.

Opportunity to Do Right

King Ahab could not reverse the damage, but he did, “rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.”  God saw his repentance and spared his life, but did not spare his progeny.  II Kings chapters 9 and 10 tell of the ironic way in which Ahab’s son was killed and buried on the very parcel of land that was stolen. His son in law, plus 70 of his offspring were killed by a vengeful king Jehu who remembered the whole bloody theft from Naboth.

There is still an opportunity for our leadership to do the right thing.  Return to a just free market and unpunished property ownership.  If they do, perhaps mercy will be the order of the day; if not, justice will surely follow them into future generations.  Let us pray that the unique economic attributes God has allowed us to prosper under may continue.