A Biblical Solution to the World's Problems

For much of history much of the world’s wealth was owned by the fortunate few and the rest lived as serfs or slaves.

Then, with the advent of modern capitalism during the Industrial Revolution, immense wealth came to the world, including the masses. But this wealth first went to the fortunate few. In the interim, there were generations subjected to worse poverty and miserable working conditions. The process is still going on in the developing world.

In reaction to this inequality of wealth, communism was called for by many. This spawned totalitarian dictatorships which killed tens of millions of people. In reaction to communism, fascist dictatorships arose committing further atrocities. The net result was a very bloody twentieth century.

In the developed world things have settled down to a mix of capitalism, mercantilism and government run welfare programs. This is an improvement over socialism, but still has problems: high crime, excessive drug use, broken families and a permanent resentful underclass.

The Bible provides an alternative, one which is based on subtle understanding of economics and natural rights. The elegance can be easily overlooked as the principles were applied for a muscle-powered agrarian society with limited record keeping capability. But for those who look, the answers are there. And these benefits are available even for those who do not believe. There is no violation of the First Amendment called for here.

But the fact that such subtle wisdom can be found in a book written by a “primitive” society, wisdom that could have saved us from the biggest problems of the first centuries of the modern era, is an important data point in what makes me a Believer.

Next: Appendix A: Evolution in the Bible

Spread the Word

Share |