Theology Panel conference call on Tuesday August 25th 8:30 Eastern
We have had a bit of a sabbatical of late, but I would like to invite all those interested to the next Theology Panel conference call on Tuesday, August 25th 8:30 Eastern. To participate call 1-218-339-2500, use 727705* as your access code.
Rich (the elder) suggested the following topic for discussion:
"I would like to suggest we focus on the morality of Capitalism. Specifically the ministry of Jesus to the poor.
Would He be considered a Socialist for advocating public services for the poor? Or would he shame the wealthy into supporting the needs of the poor, not just through charity but more through education and job training, empowering the poor to provide for themselves?"
Please join us.
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Reminder of tonights Theology Panel conference call
Please join us tonight. 8:30 ET.
WWJD?
I suspect that Jesus' approach would be somewhat deeper and more subtle. He would undermine the "every man for himself" mentality that leads to selfishness and exploitation in the first place.
Nietzsche understood just how dangerous Jesus' teachings are to those who believe the weak should serve the strong.
"Genealogy of Morals" in particular does an excellent job of explaining this.
Christ understood that without an internal transformation no amount of system engineering can do any lasting good.
Socialist economies can be corrupted by greed and ambition as easily as Capitalist ones. The heart must first be changed, and then external transformation will follow.
Agreed, Jesus would see the issue much deeper
His ministry served the poor, the least among us. Matthew 25:35-43. If we do not look after the needs of the least amongst us, we do not serve Him.
What we have here is a centuries old spiritual crisis, re: the proper Christian attitude towards monetary systems. We need a mature attitude, one that recognizes humans are both genereative and exploitative. The Golden Rule provides a good foundation.
Let's see where this whole discussion leads us.
Dr.Welch's thinking is quite relevant to this.
IMO, Dr. Welch's thinking is quite relevant to this overall discussion on the morality of Capitalism. And so is Frank's articles on health care. Dr. Welch explains the recent roar from the conservatives in very understandable terms, while Frank gives us the ammo to counter the lies.
Tommorrow nights panel discussion should be very lively!
I hope a lot of folks join us!
please be more specific
Could you be more specific about what the think tank team will do?
Financial reform think tank team
Aaron,
Thank you for your interest. The goal would be to produce a white paper. Overall the team would perform basic research, eg., what is the scope of the need for reform, discovering basic facts like the use of money and the extent of abuses, then what does the Bible say about money, it's use and misuse eg. I Timothy 6:9&10. Once the need is established, Christian views would be set forth regarding how we should individually and as a society be guided regarding the use of money (seeing as it simply an exchange of energy, for instance, and not evil in and of itself) we would then set forth specific reforms we as a progressive Christian would advocate.
This is where the Theology Panel would make important basic contributions. We needn't be economists to make significant contributions. The panel would be very instrumental in setting the context for the paper, from a progressive Christian perspective.
The above is my concept of how we would approach the topic. IPC President Frank Cocozzelli, and the Board of Directors will determine the final approach, subject I am certain to revisions as they "evolve" (pun intended) :-)! The idea here would be to build upon the white paper Frank authored on Distributive Justice Capitalism last year. I see both the US Constitution and the Golden Rule and its companion Ethic of Reciprocity as being fundamental to proper functioning of the global financial system, instituting comprehensive checks and balances, but this is, of course, just my initial idea.
To participate, and learn along the way yourself, all you really need are basic research skills and the ability to effectively present findings to, and for, the use of the rest of the team and it's final product. We'll also need good editors to review the initial and final presentations, making them factual and readily understandable.
What excites me is the amount of information I've already learned myself. As a foreign currency trader I keep a very close daily track of the various global currencies and find knowing who the major global financial players are to be essential for my success. Understanding the enormous impact of Goldman Sachs on government policies, for example, is very valuable to me as a trader. Their very extensive corporate influence directly impacts the value of the dollar, which I trade in pairs against other major currencies.
So Aaron, please tell us a bit of why you'd be interested in participating and the skills you bring. We welcome anyone with good skills who shares our concerns for necessary sound reforms.
Rev. Rich
Exciting news!
The Board of the Institute for Progressive Christianity (the think tank sister organization of CrossLeft) last Sunday voted to get out front on the financial reform issue. If you'd like to become involved as a member of a proposed think tank team contact me at: prosper772@comcast.net
Frank Cocozzelli, IPC, President and I are heading up the effort. Jim Ramelis is doing some biblical research. Steve Rockwell will supply our creative implementation campaign strategy once we get that far.
Our approach is to cast this issue from a progressive Christian perspective, applying the wisdom of the Bible to a crucial current issue.
I can promise those that join the team that they will learn a great deal about how the financial system(s) work and what steps we can take to change the way you participate and change the way the global family interacts.
In the world of Caesar nothing is more important today than financial reform. W/o it health care reform, efforts to create clean energy and global warming initiatives will be greatly undermined.
I've suggested a title for a proposed white paper. Ethical Financial Reform: The Real Gold That Rules. We are not wed to that title; just a suggested title, to get our creative juices flowing.
It's based on an extension of the IPC white paper on distributive justice capialism; applying the Golden Rule and it's contemporary, The Ethic of Reciprocity in Ceasar's world.
Come join our panel discussion next Tuesday. We'll be discussing this issue from a theologically progressive perspective. Jesus's ministry to the poor has great relevance in today's world.
Rev. Rich Warden