“The Preamble of the Constitution says what our country is about,” proclaimed a Bernie Sanders supporter recently. “Provide the general welfare. Saying ‘general welfare’ is a socialist reality!”
Anyone with a vague 8th grade recollection of the Constitution might nod in agreement. But did you catch the misquote? Here’s the preamble in full:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
(emphasis added)
There’s a big difference between providing and promoting. There’s also a vast difference between socialism and the blessings of liberty. It’s important to educate ourselves on each, because in America, many are clamoring for a change in our government in order to improve the lives of the poor. Socialism is being hailed as a solution.
As Christians, we need to have this conversation. Is socialism compatible with the Bible? Is it the best way to love our neighbor? How has it worked out, where it’s been tried? Socialism is a big topic in our modern public discourse right now. The Church needs to be prepared with an answer. That’s what this series of posts is about.
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 1: The Appeal of Socialism
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 2: The Next Generation
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 3: Christianity in Practice
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 4: What Would Jesus Do?
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 5: The Early Church
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 6: The Plymouth Colony
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 7: The Spanish Missions of California
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 8: The Promise of Communism
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 9: Stand Fast in Freedom
- Love Thy Neighbor, Part 10: God Bless America
Links will be added as each blog post is published. Stay tuned!
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