p. 6 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Association

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 36.

Question Corner

1890.—Socialism and Unionism.

What is Socialism?
What is the difference between Socialism and Unionism? O. D. L.

It is almost impossible to define Socialism, there are so many different kinds, a dozen or thereabouts; but in a general way, as defined by the Standard Dictionary, it is "A theory of civil polity that aims to secure the reconstruction of society, increase of wealth, and a more equal distribution of the products of labor through the public collective ownership of land and capital (as distinct from property), and the public collective management of all industries. Its motto is 'Every one according to his deeds.'" It is confounded more or less with communism, nationalism, anarchism, and nihilism. There are two or three kinds of Christian Socialism. Christian Socialism has been defined as opposed to the competitive system, elevation of the working classes by a just and general application of their rights and essential brotherhood, instituted on ethical and spiritual principles as the true bond of society, and promotion of cooperative associations. This definition may or may not satisfy a Socialist; it will depend upon the school to which he belongs.

2. By Unionism we suppose is meant trades-unionism, which is simply the practise of those who associate together as a trades-union, simply organized association of various workers in any trade formed for the protection and promotion of their common interests, especially as affecting their wages and time. They are developing, however, more and more toward the socialistic and political idea; but in the very origin and nature of the movement it necessarily has no distinct connection with either.

1891.—Mortality and Immortality. How would you explain the following? " 'As in Adam [error] all die, even so in Christ [truth] all shall be made alive.' The knowledge of man is a myth, for man is immortal. The false belief that spirit is not submerged in matter at some future time, to be emancipated from it,—that belief alone is mortal. Spirit (God) never germinates, but is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If spirit (God) created error, that error must have existed in the mind of God, and this dethrones the perfection of the Deity.'" C.

Really the thing needs no answer to those who believe the Bible, for the Bible expressly implies that man is mortal. We have no more reason to doubt the Bible statement as regards man's conditions than we have to doubt all that is said concerning Jesus Christ. In short, the very fact that Christ is presented as a Saviour from sin and death demonstrates that man is mortal and subject to death. Absolutely there was no use for Christ's coming to give man life if man possessed life in himself. Nowhere in God's Word is the whole man defined as spirit or as body. It took the two to make the man. Deprived of either one, he is no longer man. The expression "spirit never germinates" is based on the narrowest sort of comprehension of God's illimitable creative power. In this poor, sin-cursed world we see nature performing her functions under perverted law. At its very best it is not normal, and yet poor, puny, man proceeds to reason from these abnormal circumstances and abnormal environments that things elsewhere throughout all the universe can exist and operate only as his limited observation and study has led him to conceive. The simple Word of God is sufficient to meet all these things. God did not create error. Error came by perversion of God's truth.