Communism - The Christian's fault?

I recently was the guest speaker at a large Church in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth and the Pastor that introduced me spoke of the infiltration of communist thinking into South Africa, as part of his introduction.

This led me to share on a somewhat uncomfortable topic of authority and accountability and I will give a brief synopsis here.

Essentially, if one looks at history, it becomes clear that “Every radical philosophy is simply a reaction to the failed application of moderate philosophy.” Similarly put, every unbiblical philosophy is just a reaction to failed implementation of the corresponding Biblical philosophy.

I will us Communism as an example……

Communism as we know it is largely grounded on the economic principles laid own by Karl Marx who although definitely not the founder of socialism was without a doubt the catalyst that catapulted communist economic thought into the limelight.

What is not largely known was that Marx came from a long line of Rabbis on both his parents’ sides. He therefore was grounded in Biblical economic principles. His father knew by heart, the writings of Voltaire and Lessing, renowned writers for civil liberties, freedom of trade and so on. These must have been firmly ingrained into the young Marx.

At a very young age, he converted from Judaism to Christianity, joining the Lutheran church.

Despite all this background and safety of being a solid, religious middle class citizen, with connections to industrialists and therefore money and position, Marx was looking for something else. The world of his youth and young adulthood was one of massive abuse and oppression of labour in a greed driven industrial era. Political power had shifted but with no tangible benefit to mankind in general. There was a new ruling elite who governed through economics.

It is within this world of seeing no evidence of Christian uprising against oppression, of knowing the stark reality of the Church’s involvement in politics, with no benefit other than Church power, that he, in the midst of industrial oppression searched for a deeper meaning and a sense of purpose.

In reaction to failed application of Biblical principles he looked for a new solution and communism as we know it today is the fruit of that process.

If however, the Church, when it had political power brought about the civil liberties it was supposed to. If the “Christian” industrialists, instead of oppressing workers paid them a fair wage per Biblical principles. If Christians then, fulfilled their duty before God and brought about a different world, Karl Marx would have had no problem to solve.

We would not have had to, as mankind, endure the horrific suffering and murders that have taken place under communist regimes. The millions upon millions who were slaughtered would maybe have lived to fulfil the destiny God had planned for them. The additional millions who have died a slow and indescribable death by starvation under communist principles would of experienced the joy of life and not been denied knowledge of Christ.

If and only if, Christians had taken up their responsibility. But we failed to apply the Word properly. Am I wrong to conclude that we as Christians are therefore responsible for communism? That the blood of the millions is on our hands? That our lack of proper biblical action at a time when needed, was most was lacking, and by our lack of action we allowed such horrific repercussions over history and time.

I believe I am right.

When taxi drivers go on strike, they do not want to negotiate with a driver from government. They want the Minister of Transport. When workers go on strike they do not demand a meeting with the wage clerk. They insist on seeing the directors. When we receive bad service at a restaurant, we do not complain at the cashier. We speak to management. In short, we hold those in authority accountable. It is with them that we lay our case.

One day, we will all appear before our Father in heaven. And when he lays down the sordid history of nations, he too will go to those who had the authority to bring about change.

And before we go off pointing fingers at the present ANC government or the liberal anti Christian DA, let us look at what Scripture says…….. “I give YOU all authority,” says Christ. You, me and other Christians have been given the authority. We have been placed in charge and will be held accountable. Not those who do not know better, but us who know the truth and failed to apply it.

And now we face elections again. We will either face up to our authority and responsibility of fob it off to someone else. We will take a stand or look the other way. We will accept our accountability to God or moan and point fingers.

What we might even do once again, is idly let our failure raise up another Marx, and a new philosophy. One more destructive than communism has ever been. And millions more will die.