Moral Elements of the Financial Crises
October 24th, 2008
Props to Kevin Schmiesing at the Acton Institute for his post demonstrating the moral dimensions of the financial crises:
Economists have long deplored the poor savings rate in the United States, arguing that our ever-increasing debt load (national and personal) would eventually come back to haunt us. British intellectual Peter Heslam points out that this problem is essentially moral, a failure to value the traditional virtue of thrift.
He writes: Hebrew and Christian scriptures support a theology of thrift. Literally, thrift means ‘prosperity’ or ‘well-being’, meanings encompassed in the Hebrew notion of shalom, which is central to the biblical theme of redemption. True, Jesus warned against laying up treasure on earth. But his warning is against greed and miserliness, which undermine thrift.
The incredible amount of fear and blind trust in government during this time are two other emotional/spiritual areas that I hope to explore soon…
October 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Hey Price, I love (LOVE) the idea behind your new blog. You will be tackling one of the great theological heresies embedded in the consciousness of America today.
Peter Storey suggests that we (the American church) needs to seek discernment around four key biblical areas; God & state, wealth & poverty, war & peace, (I can’t remember the 4th).
I’ll look forward to your postings!
Eric
October 27th, 2008 at 2:20 am
I would agree whole-heartedly. I look to the future with distaste as well though. I see only fear in the majority of people which, as many political intellectuals will tell you, leads to bad decisions.
I agree also with your earlier post. An interesting idea brought up by a speaker here at school a few months ago (pertaining to the ‘worship’ of government): think to what you typically hear about how parents raise their children. They almost always allow them to “make their own decision” about God or Christianity or whatever the case. You never hear, however, of parents telling their kids they can make their own decision about their country or their government. From the beginning we are taught to believe blindly in our country, show devout patriotism, and view this machine as the giver of life and happiness.
One day, people will again realize the power of self-reliance and in turn, the beauty of living for tomorrow.