The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-26
Christianity and Communism


Communism today rests mainly on naterialistic
rather than religious spiritual basis Marx not
Jesus, is the major prophet.
Yet we often hear of the early Christian Com
munism which existed in the Jerusalem community
in the age of the apostles This is discussed in
cogent fashion by Gustavus Adolphus Steward in his
article First Century Communism" In The World
Tomorrow
The acts of the Apostles thus describes the ideals
and practices of this early Christian Communistic
community:
And the multitude of them that believed were of
one heart and SOUL and not one of them said that
aught of the things which he possessed was his own;
but they had all things in common d. . . For neither
was there among them any that lacked; for as many
as were posessors of lands or houses sold them and
laid them at the apostles feet and distribution was
made to each, according as any one had need"
Steward contrasts the former popularity of this
passage with the frigid avoidance which now meets
it in our churches since the Russian Communistic
experiment has made this way of life social achieve
ment OF practical moment:
ut once was favorite lesson for family devo-
tons Its social content was the foundation of fam
lily ethics. It's dealistc economics enthusiastically
were expounded to penny clutching urchins in by
gone Sunday school classes while society it de-
pcts formerly was lauded by entranced sermonizers
as that OF the kingdom of heaven itself.
How often these phrases heard today? What
parent, however devout would care to have his fell
low Christians know that he instructed his children
in this subversve doctrine? What clergyman howr
ever cosecrated would dare to urge his congregation
to adopt this elementary share share-ake tenet
of the religious system he processes to uphold?
Steward proceeds to show how Christianity has
captulated to the profit motive and the power mo-
tive and thus crushed out the Christian impulse to-
ward Communism His criticism of the practices and
ideals of Christian capitalists giants of industry and
patrioteerS is bold and relevant.
Yet those whom he crticises can quote back at
him just good Christian doctrine iustfying their
practices. Witness, for example, the parable of ths
talents in Matthew XIV:
"A going into another country called his
own servants and delivered unto them his goods
And unto one he gave five talents to another two
to another one; to each according his several abi
ity; and he went his journey.
"Straightway he that received the five talents
went and traded with them, and made another five
talents. In like manner he also that received the
two gained another two But he that received the one
went away and dgged in the earth and hid his
lords money.
Nov after long time the lord of those servants
conleth, and maketh reckoning with them. And
he that received the five talents and brought
other five talents saying, lord, thou deliveredst unto
me five talents TO- have gained other five talents.
"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and
faithful servant: thou hast been faithful few
things will set thee many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord -.
"And he also that had received the one talent
came and said, afraid and went away and
hid thy talent the earth: 10, thou hast thine own
But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou
wicked and sothful servant, thou oughtest to have
put my money to the bankers, and at my coming
should have received back mine own with interest.
Take We away therefore the talent from him,
and give it unto him that hath the ten talents For
unto every that hath shall be given, and he shall
have abundance: but from him that hath not, even
that which he hath shall be taken away"
Therefore If Acts uphods Moscow Matthew justi-
aes the attitudes and policies Of Hoover Mellon,
Strawn, Schwab and others.
But the main point is that either profit and power
or Communism must be justified by the facts of to-
day. rather than the traditions of the past.