Christianity Versus Socialism
By L. A. S.
Ever since Christianity was made known to the world as God’s plan for human salvation, there have been devised other systems claiming to be Christian, or to be founded on Christian principles, aiming at the reformation of governments and of society. They promise by this means to bestow upon men salvation from the chief ills that afflict them in this life, and in this they profess to be identical or in harmony with Christianity, and are confounded with it in very many minds. One such system, and one which is greatly stirring the world to-day, is socialism. It is often spoken of as “Christian socialism.” There was never an age when it was more necessary for men to know what Christianity really is, and wherein it is distinguished from every philanthropic scheme of human origin. The difference between Christianity and all the “isms” which promise so much good for the human race, is fundamental. Whatever apparent similarity there may be between them outwardly, looking beneath the surface, and examining the foundation principles of each, we behold a difference as broad as the world. Of socialism this is as true as of anything else. Socialism originated in the desire of some to obtain something which was in the possession of others. Christianity originated in a desire to impart to others something in the possession of the giver. Socialism seeks to provide happiness by forcing some to give up a part of their earthly possessions for the general welfare. Christianity provides happiness by offering to all as a free gift the riches of heaven. The one aims to level society down to a common human plane; the other aims to elevate mankind to the divine plane. The one aims to please and to serve self; the other proceeds only by self-surrender. The one operates by the power of a carnal commandment of man; the other by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. In nothing does Christianity represent any of the wisdom or devices of men. It is impossible for anything to be Christian of which God himself is not sole author. Christianity is God’s plan of redemption for all peoples, from all ills, for all ages. It has promise both “of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” it says, “and all these things [temporal necessities] shall be added unto you.” For the poor man, it has the blessing of God to add to his few loaves and fishes, making them sufficient for all needs. For the one in affliction it has the provision, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” The Christian never joins in any movement to save men from poverty, or to remove social inequalities by law. He sees that there is no necessity for such movements. He does not feel it necessary to join himself to any of the numerous confederacies that exist in the land, since he has joined himself to the Lord, who has all power, all wisdom, and all authority. Christianity is not socialism, and socialism is not Christianity. All the powers of earth and everything that is not Christian are finally to be arrayed against Christianity, and the influences are now at work, the movements are now on foot, which are to prepare the way for that contest. In this work socialism is acting a leading part. The Christian is not a Christian socialist, a Christian scientist, nor anything which the name Christian but partly expresses. He is a Christian, and that is all. The one cause with which he is forever identified is the cause of God. The one organization to which he joins himself for all philanthropic and moral purposes is the Christian church. L. A. S.