Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. on Christian Economics: We Need God's Principles in Free Markets
For many Christians, economics is usually not the first place a follower may look to see how God's principles can be applied to everyday life. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. in his new 12-part DVD series, "Economics For Everybody," explains that it can be done even with the most basic understanding of economics.
Dr. Sproul, the founder of Highlands Ministries and a Teaching Fellow at Ligonier Ministries, a Christian educational organization, argues that the structural relationship between economics and theology is actually quite similar. Answers to questions in both areas are found through an understanding of foundational principles.
"'Economics for Everybody' begins with understanding God's principles for organizing His creation and what that means for us as creatures and stewards," Dr. Sproul told The Christian Post during an interview.
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Dr. Sproul's DVD series elaborates on the role work, in relation to theology, plays in an economic setting as well as where the government's role in economics should lay. This differs from where current government actions and policies are placed in the domestic economy –currently they reallocate resources and manipulate free market practices.
With that understanding, an individual would be able to determine that since God created everything, He alone holds sole ownership of everything.
Dr. Sproul maintains that economic degradation can be attributed, in part, to the distortion brought on by sin and selfish practices to a market system where God's principles are not followed.
He adds that within an evolutionary view of creation, political quarrels over the distribution of resources occur, given that the understanding that God's hand in creating everything is negated. Thus, the resulting actions in some way affect everyone within the economic system.
"This subject is for everybody because economics touches every aspect of our lives as goods get produced, people buy and consume them, resources are managed and then, at the most basic level, people either have enough or they don't," Dr. Sproul explained.
The economist furthered his argument by highlighting the current relationship "big business" has in regards to free markets. He contended that lobbyists and other special interests advocating on behalf of big business are polluting the market by trying to dominate something that is inherently free and open.
This has resulted in exacerbating the divide between the poor and affluent since special interests and other lobbying efforts lead to more government interference within the market, polluting the nature of how a free market works.
This is exemplified through the example of poverty, where consumption outpaces production, leaving the less affluent lacking and leading to more governmental meddling in an attempt to balance market resources. Dr. Sproul would argue that this would only worsen the problem and take away from the true purpose of serving God.
"The founding principles on which our society operates affect literally every aspect of your life and mine. But God's principles- His eternal truths- make that foundation solid. It is vitally important that everybody understand His view of economics, so we can be good stewards of what He has given us," Dr. Sproul said.
