1/8. There are crucial differences bet. (1) socialism, (2) the mod. welfare state & (3) Xian service to the poor. Unfortunately, the dist. is often blurred. (Some socialists deliberately blur it in a strategy of implementing incremental socialism.) But they are 3 diff. things.

2/8. Bavinck has a great essay on "Christian Principles & Social Relationships" & another called "On Inequality" in the 2008 book, Essays on Rel, Sc. & Society. The latter essay has the best treatment of Rousseau I have ever read. In the former essay he explains the Bk of Acts.

3/8. In Acts we see that the NT does not forbid private property & the focus of the ministry of deacons in Acts 2 was on taking care of the poor rather than a general redistribution of wealth in the name of equality. The mission of the ch. is to help those in need such as widows.

4/8. A modern welfare state is one in which the Xian example of charity has inspired the nation as a whole to vote for a program that imitates the ministry of the church to the poor. The state funds the care of the sick, the elderly, the widows, the orphans, the stranger, etc.

5/8. But in such a welfare state the ideal of equality of wealth for all does not exist. Rich people actually are valued b/c they can devote more resources to charity. Private property is respected. Taxes to support welfare may not exceed what is necessary to care for the poor.

6/8. In socialism, on the other hand, taxes are the means of levelling the field so that everyone has approximately the same amount of wealth. In the welfare state, taxation is limited - an 'emergency' necessitated by the needs of the poor. But in socialism taxation is the point.

7/8. In socialism, the ideal is equity. In the ch, & the welfare state based on it, the ideal is love. It is for the community to step in where the family fails & ensure that no one starves & all receive the care they need. It is charity, not justice, based on grace not on law.

8/8. The church should work politically to build a welfare state as a witness to the Gospel of grace & love. But socialism is a rival religion: a religion of law not grace. Xians should have nothing to do with socialism. We know a better way.