<\/p>\n
Was Jesus a Capitalist?<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/span><\/p>\nTo answer whether Jesus was a capitalist we need to first define capitalism<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"Was](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Bloch-SermonOnTheMount.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Was Jesus a Capitalist? It depends on how you define Capitalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Capitalism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Capitalism is an economic system in which private actors own and control property and the means of production while demand and supply freely set prices for goods and services.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIts \u2018modern\u2019 intellectual basis is typically identified as found in the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith\u2019s 1776 book \u201cAn Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\nDoes the Catholic Church Endorse Capitalism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The answer is obviously complex.\" (Centesimus Annus, 42)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIf by \u2018capitalism\u2019 is meant an economic system which recognizes the fundamental and positive role of business, the market, private property and the resulting responsibility for the means of production, as well as free human creativity in the economic sector<\/strong>, then the answer is certainly in the affirmative\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 42)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cBut if by \u2018capitalism\u2019 is meant a system in which freedom in the economic sector is not circumscribed within a strong juridical framework which places it at the service of human freedom in its totality, and which sees it as a particular aspect of that freedom, the core of which is ethical and religious, then the reply is certainly negative.\u201d (Centesimus Annus, 42)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, while Jesus could not have been a capitalist (this economic system did not exist at the time) capitalism<\/strong> is well capable<\/strong> of representing the principles Jesus established<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\nTo Be Specific: The Catholic Church and Free Markets<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
We can better understand Jesus and Capitalism through Catholic social teaching on free markets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church teaches through her social doctrine that a free-market economy<\/strong> is an \u201cimportant source of wealth<\/strong> and should be viewed carefully and favorably\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 40)<\/a> - for \u201ccertainly every country needs economic growth and the creation of wealth, and the extension of these to each citizen, without exclusion.\u201d (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching says a \u201cbusiness economy has many positive aspects \u2013 its basis is human freedom exercised in the economic field\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIn summary: \u201cIt would appear that at the national and international level the free market<\/strong> is the most efficient way <\/strong>for utilizing resources and effectively responding to needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe Need to be Clear Though: Support of Free Markets is Not Unequivocal<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The creation of this wealth must always be at the\u00a0service<\/strong> of the common good<\/strong>, and not only for the benefit of a few.\" (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, \"Insofar as it [Unbridled Capitalism<\/strong>] denies an autonomous existence and value to morality, law, culture and religion, it agrees with Marxism<\/strong>\u2026it totally reduces man to the sphere of economics and the satisfaction of material needs.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 19)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching points out that the \u201cconviction that the economy must be autonomous, that it must be shielded from \u2018influences\u2019 of a moral character, has led man to abuse the economic process in a thoroughly destructive way.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe current system \u201cis by now intolerable\u201d. \"[T]hat system has imposed the mentality of profit at any price, with no concern for social exclusion\u2026An unfettered pursuit of money rules. This is the 'dung of the devil'.\"\u00a0(Pope Francis, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Basis of a Catholic Economic Model<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The crisis will not be completely over until situations and living conditions are examined in terms of the human person and human dignity<\/strong>\u2026Our duty is to continue to insist\u2026that the human person and human dignity are not simply catchwords, but pillars for creating shared rules and structures\". (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nOnly being \"open to the Absolute can guide us in the promotion and building of forms of social and civic life \u2014 structures, institutions, culture and ethos\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSo, Was Jesus a Socialist?<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn more about the Right to Private Property<\/a><\/p>\nRead more about the Common Good<\/a><\/p>\nA New Methodology for a New Economy<\/a><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/p>\nWhat is Capitalism?<\/a><\/p>\nCapitalism vs. Socialism<\/a><\/p>\nWhat is a \u201cJust\u201d Distribution of Wealth?<\/a><\/p>\nGratuitousness: Catholic Social Teaching\u2019s Solution for Capitalism<\/a><\/p>\nThe Role of Profit in Business<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGood, Socially Responsible Business<\/a><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching and Economics by Domingo Bickel<\/a><\/p>\nThe Gig Economy and Rerum Novarum<\/a><\/p>\nTariffs and the Common Good<\/a><\/p>\nThe Problems of Globalization<\/a><\/p>\nInflation and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/p>\nPope Francis \u2013 An Economic Reformer and Provocateur<\/a><\/p>\nMark Carney, Pope Francis, and the Global Economy<\/a><\/p>\nThe \u2018Health of Nations\u2019 in Light of CST and Pope Francis<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Economics<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/p>\n To answer whether Jesus was a capitalist we need to first define capitalism<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Was Jesus a Capitalist? It depends on how you define Capitalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Its \u2018modern\u2019 intellectual basis is typically identified as found in the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith\u2019s 1776 book \u201cAn Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf by \u2018capitalism\u2019 is meant an economic system which recognizes the fundamental and positive role of business, the market, private property and the resulting responsibility for the means of production, as well as free human creativity in the economic sector<\/strong>, then the answer is certainly in the affirmative\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 42)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut if by \u2018capitalism\u2019 is meant a system in which freedom in the economic sector is not circumscribed within a strong juridical framework which places it at the service of human freedom in its totality, and which sees it as a particular aspect of that freedom, the core of which is ethical and religious, then the reply is certainly negative.\u201d (Centesimus Annus, 42)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n So, while Jesus could not have been a capitalist (this economic system did not exist at the time) capitalism<\/strong> is well capable<\/strong> of representing the principles Jesus established<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n The Church teaches through her social doctrine that a free-market economy<\/strong> is an \u201cimportant source of wealth<\/strong> and should be viewed carefully and favorably\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 40)<\/a> - for \u201ccertainly every country needs economic growth and the creation of wealth, and the extension of these to each citizen, without exclusion.\u201d (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching says a \u201cbusiness economy has many positive aspects \u2013 its basis is human freedom exercised in the economic field\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n In summary: \u201cIt would appear that at the national and international level the free market<\/strong> is the most efficient way <\/strong>for utilizing resources and effectively responding to needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n In fact, \"Insofar as it [Unbridled Capitalism<\/strong>] denies an autonomous existence and value to morality, law, culture and religion, it agrees with Marxism<\/strong>\u2026it totally reduces man to the sphere of economics and the satisfaction of material needs.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 19)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching points out that the \u201cconviction that the economy must be autonomous, that it must be shielded from \u2018influences\u2019 of a moral character, has led man to abuse the economic process in a thoroughly destructive way.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The current system \u201cis by now intolerable\u201d. \"[T]hat system has imposed the mentality of profit at any price, with no concern for social exclusion\u2026An unfettered pursuit of money rules. This is the 'dung of the devil'.\"\u00a0(Pope Francis, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Only being \"open to the Absolute can guide us in the promotion and building of forms of social and civic life \u2014 structures, institutions, culture and ethos\". (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Learn more about the Right to Private Property<\/a><\/p>\n Read more about the Common Good<\/a><\/p>\n A New Methodology for a New Economy<\/a><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/p>\n What is Capitalism?<\/a><\/p>\n Capitalism vs. Socialism<\/a><\/p>\n What is a \u201cJust\u201d Distribution of Wealth?<\/a><\/p>\n Gratuitousness: Catholic Social Teaching\u2019s Solution for Capitalism<\/a><\/p>\n The Role of Profit in Business<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Good, Socially Responsible Business<\/a><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching and Economics by Domingo Bickel<\/a><\/p>\n The Gig Economy and Rerum Novarum<\/a><\/p>\n Tariffs and the Common Good<\/a><\/p>\n The Problems of Globalization<\/a><\/p>\n Inflation and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/p>\n Pope Francis \u2013 An Economic Reformer and Provocateur<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Carney, Pope Francis, and the Global Economy<\/a><\/p>\n The \u2018Health of Nations\u2019 in Light of CST and Pope Francis<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\nCapitalism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Capitalism is an economic system in which private actors own and control property and the means of production while demand and supply freely set prices for goods and services.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDoes the Catholic Church Endorse Capitalism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The answer is obviously complex.\" (Centesimus Annus, 42)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTo Be Specific: The Catholic Church and Free Markets<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
We can better understand Jesus and Capitalism through Catholic social teaching on free markets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe Need to be Clear Though: Support of Free Markets is Not Unequivocal<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The creation of this wealth must always be at the\u00a0service<\/strong> of the common good<\/strong>, and not only for the benefit of a few.\" (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Basis of a Catholic Economic Model<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The crisis will not be completely over until situations and living conditions are examined in terms of the human person and human dignity<\/strong>\u2026Our duty is to continue to insist\u2026that the human person and human dignity are not simply catchwords, but pillars for creating shared rules and structures\". (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
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