Spirit of Socialism vs Spirit of Christ

I’ve been wanting to address the conflict between socialism and Christianity, but realized this subject would take a lot more than a few lines in a short blog. Several years ago, I found an article written in the early 1900’s by Professor Charles R. Erdman, D.D. (1866-1960) called THE CHURCH AND SOCIALISM. Below is a quote from this lengthy article originally published as part of a collection of essays called The Fundamentals, 1910-1915. Speaking to followers of Christ, Professor Erdman says:

We must all admit the grave complexity of modern life, and the delicacy and difficulty of the problems involved, yet we must not be content to countenance practices which are unjust or unchristian. To be absolutely true to conscience and to Christ will mean sacrifice and loss of money and social prestige. It is never easy to take up the cross daily and to follow Christ; but there is a new call for heroism, for martyrdom. Absolute loyalty to Christ in the business and social world today often means crucifixion, pain, death, but “it is the way the Master went; must not the servant tread it still?”

Erdman held to the belief that the Church should not be involved in politics and government. His position was popular with many Evangelicals in the last century and may be the main reason we have the conditions of society we have today. During the last century, Christians backed away from vocally proclaiming their faith in Christ in the marketplace. In the name of “separation of church and state”, they often did not speak up against the moral drift of society away from the Judeo-Christian values our nation was founded upon. This passivity left a vacuum to be filled. The spirit that rushed in to fill it is an anti-Christ spirit of lawlessness, selfishness, greed and envy. This shift was prophesied many years ago by the Apostle Paul in speaking of the last days of human history.

In recent years it seems more church leaders are speaking up about believers being involved in shaping culture and society, vs withdrawing, or, as we have seen in recent days, bowing to the radical forces driving the ‘cancel culture’ movement and giving honor to socialist, Marxist and anarchist groups.

How can anyone who professes Jesus Christ as Lord also profess approval of a political organization that supports and promotes abortion? This is the kind of compromise and lukewarmness I believe Jesus spoke to in the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-19).

Lance Walnau and a small but vocal group of Christian leaders encourages believers to become involved in the Seven Mountains of influence. Also referred to as the 7 pillars of culture or spheres of society: Religion, family, education, government, media, arts, & business. It seems God has many of His kids working in all these areas and they are like an army holding back the tide of anti-Christ influence. 

Are we too late? Have we moved beyond a tipping point where each of these areas becomes progressively controlled by an anti-Christ spirit? Dr. Ed Silvoso doesn’t believe we are too late. He would probably say, “It’s never too late. With God, all things are possible!” His positive outlook and enthusiasm is infectious and much needed among often dispirited believers who are seeking true Christlike leadership in a world that seems to be going mad. If you haven’t read his book, Ekklesia: Rediscovering God’s Instrument for Global Transformation, I urge you to get a copy soon! Then begin to gather with two or three other believers, wherever you are, and pray, seek God and release the Kingdom of God in the areas of your influence. The Ekklesia Jesus said He would raise up is rising up! Will you be part of it?

2 Timothy 3:1-5

1 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 

2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 

3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 

4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 

5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].  AMP