Psalm 23 is one of the most well known set of Bible verses — to quote verse 4 in its King James version, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort…
Capitalism versus Socialism
Market-Based Systems: Understanding the Cooperation Inherent in Microeconomics
Part 1 of A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism Chapter 2 “Market-Based Systems” If we are going to compare the four economic systems, we need to first define and understand each one of them. This is the chapter that focuses on market-based systems. While the title of the book…
Capitalism versus Socialism
Next We See What the Bible Says about the Four Pillars
Part 2 of A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism Chapter 1 “Pillars of Economic Systems” Last blog, I introduced the four pillars and the four economic systems they define. Now, Simpson is looking to the Bible for any direction for answering the four pillars. Pillar 1: Who Owns Property It…
Capitalism versus Socialism
First We Examine the Four Pillars to Define Four Economic Systems
Part 1 of A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism Chapter 1 “Pillars of Economic Systems” It seems like a bold statement to say the Bible can tell us what economic system we should have. In fact, Simpson does not think it can directly, but if we define each economic system…
Capitalism versus Socialism
Does the Bible Have Anything to Say About Our Economy?
A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism “Preface” Some years ago the author of the next book I am going to discuss, Thomas D. Simpson, was asked to give a talk about the different economic systems and which were most compatible with biblical teaching. Out of the research for that talk,…
Virtues Abounding
Let’s Agree Society Should Esteem the Virtues
Part 2 of a Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 6 “The Christian Life of Virtue” In the last blog, we discussed the theological, or infused, virtues to complete St. Thomas Aquinas’s vision of developing the seven virtues: prudence, temperance, courage, justice, faith, hope, and love. I think a society where each…
Virtues Abounding
The Root of Moral Virtue: Faith, Hope and Love
Part 1 of a Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 6 “The Christian Life of Virtue” The preceding four chapters have covered each of the four cardinal virtues whose examination and analysis dates back to the time of Aristotle, also called the natural moral virtues: prudence, justice, courage, and temperance. In…
Virtues Abounding
Mastering Moderation: Cultivating the Virtue of Temperance
A Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 5 “Temperance” We reach now the fourth and last cardinal virtue, temperance. I had an idea that temperance was about being balanced, not being extreme. That it was about not doing too little or too much. And that is kind of what it is,…
Virtues Abounding
Develop the Virtue of Courage to Positively Impact Your Life
A Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 4 “Fortitude (or Courage)” The virtue of courage may be one we think we know the meaning of, as we think of firefighters fighting flames or soldiers running into battle. And those are types of courage, but as a virtue there is a lot…
Virtues Abounding
Beyond Fairness: Why Cultivating the Virtue of Justice Is Essential for a Harmonious Society
A Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 3 “Justice” We move on to the second of the four cardinal virtues, justice. I found it challenging to understand the virtue of justice, in part because I already think I know the definition of justice but also because of the individualistic culture I…