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Remembering the Ministry of The Reverend Dr. Carl McIntire |
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MARXISM AND CHRISTIANITY?
In the two systems there is no overlapping, no corresponding, and they cannot possibly be equated. They are diametrically opposed to each other. The use of Marxist phraseology and Christian concepts to maintain that Marxism and Christianity, though through different methods, seek the same social goals is a fraud.
The famous Marxian thesis contained in the Communist Manifesto of 1848, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need," has no parallel in the Christian religion. The state takes from each according to his ability; the state gives back to each according to his need. Man is a slave. Moreover, the state determines what a man must produce, according to his ability, and the state determines what man will receive, according to his needs.
The Christian concept is summarized in Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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 me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The leaders of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. have openly endorsed the Marxian thesis.
Dr. 0. Frederick Nolde, director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches, and spokesman for the National Council of Churches at the United Nations, in an address delivered before the Third Assembly of the World Council of Churches in New Delhi, November 23, 1961, said, "When moral and humanitarian concerns assume prominence, the principles frequently quoted by communists 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need -can serve as a sound guide!"
Speaking before the National Council of Churches' Division of Foreign Missions and Church World Service, at the Triennial Assembly of the NCC in Philadelphia, December 2, 1963, Dr. W. A. Visser 't Hooft, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, also gave this thesis a Christian sanction. He said, "Lenin was probably not aware of it, but the slogan he used, 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his need,' is really rooted in the teaching of St. Paul about the solidarity that reigns in the Christian Fellowship: 'That as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their wants, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality' (2 Cor. 8:14)."
Paul's statement called for a voluntary contribution on the part of people within a church and has no relation to the Marxist dictum where, under the compulsion of the state, the individual is forced to produce according to the state's appraisal of his ability and he receives according to the state's distribution. This is a totalitarian state. The other was a free church.
It should be the true -_ church of our Lord Jesus Christ that should provide the spiritual leadership in the militant exposure of Marxism.
The International Council of Christian Churches, now representing 89 Protestant denominations, has sought to provide this leadership for the Christian world. In one of its pronouncements it has exposed the nature of Marxism. Marxism and Communism are the same: There is no difference between them! Marxism (or Communism) is a threat to the Christian churches throughout the world. The ICCC has said:
I. WHAT IS COMMUNISM?
By Communism we mean:
The philosophy, economic doctrine, politics, program, and military adventures of the Communist parties of the world. These doctrines were first stated by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels in The Communist Manifesto of 1848, developed by Lenin and Stalin, and thereafter believed and practiced -by the Communist parties of the world, under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
We therefore declare that we reject and condemn the above ideology and program of Communism and oppose it because of the following aspects of the movement:
- Its dialectical materialism, which is militantly atheistic.
- Its historical materialism, which is militantly atheistic.
- Its theory of the economic determinism of human character, a theory which is anti-Christian and debasing to human dignity.
- Its efforts to overthrow by violence all existing governments.
- Its dictatorship of the proletariat which was defined by Lenin and Stalin as "the rule, based on force and unrestricted by law," of the Communist Party.
- Its denial of moral and spiritual values.
- Its repudiation of the value of the individual and his heritage of freedom.
- Its complete casuistry of behavior based on exploitation of grievance.
- Its systematic development of treason in all countries in the interest of Russia.
- Its persistent vision of world conquest.
Christianity and Communism are totally different and cannot be identified at any point. Christianity teaches the one living God who has revealed Himself in the general revelation of Creation and in the special revelation called the Bible. It presents a spiritual Kingdom and assures man that God will aid in the provision of material needs when man seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
It presents a view of man Which demands f reedom for the individual and love for one's neighbor. It recognizes the right of private property, the profit motive, and the responsibility of all men to be good stewards of God in their possessions. Christianity condemns as sin all greed, selfishness, and exploitation, and commands the Christian virtues of charity, generosity, industry, and due concern for our neighbor's welfare.
Christianity recognizes the need for civil government with the necessary restraints upon it to make possible the full expression of the Christian life and work on earth.
In contrast to the teachings of Communism listed above (See Section I, points 1-10) Christianity teaches that:
- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and subsequently made man.
- God is active and sovereign in history, working all things "according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:11 ).
- Human nature is sinful, ruined by the fall, and may be redeemed only through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
- Men have responsibilities of citizenship and should obey the laws of all responsible governments which in turn must be the ministers of God for good.
- Government by law based on the consent of the governed, maintained by free men for the glory of God.
- The reality of the laws of God, of sin, and of human responsibility.
- God loves and values the individual soul more than all the world.
- Evil must never be done in the interests of good. The end never justifies the means.
- Loyalty in the Lord to good and lawful civil government, rendering unto Caesar the .things that are Caesar's.
- The Glorious Hope of the Church in the personal return of Christ to set up His Kingdom, and the final destiny of all men in either Heaven or hell.
- Communism welcomes and encourages the present socialist trends throughout the world because it teaches that socialism - or state capitalism, as the Communists call it - is the terminal stage of capitalism and sets' the stage for their revolutionary assumption of power.
- Communism advances by proxy, i.e., through the utilization of all kinds of existing organizations which it infiltrates, corrupts, and uses for its own purposes. When the usefulness of the organization is exhausted, it is to be destroyed. This underscores its attitude toward the church. By subtle processes of infiltration of ideas, education of leadership, insinuation and intimidation, it has succeeded in making many churches instruments of its program.
- Where it cannot control and direct, Communism aims at neutralization of organizations and governments which ought to be implacably. opposed to it. By the introduction of agents into high places, the corruption of others, and the duping of still more, Communism influences government policies, creates disaffection, and exploit national groups, and thus aims at the planned chaos which is so essential to its purpose.
Because of the urgent peril of our situation as Christians in-the pathway of the world conquest of Communism, we appeal to Christians everywhere to join us in the following program of Christian faith and action, trusting ever in the Sovereign Father for courage and wisdom to meet the oppressor.
- Pray ceaselessly for the protection and support of all who have already fallen victim to this evil system of Communism.
- Refuse resolutely to co-operate with or to support Communism in any manner.
- Recognize and admonish all pro-Communists who are in the churches, and seek by God's help to bring them to open repentance or to remove them from the church.
- Separate from the World Council of Churches because of its continued stubborn tolerance of pro-Communists.
- Pray for the liberation of China, North Korea, Russia, the satellite lauds [and we now add Cuba, Ghana, Zanzibar, and all lands where Communist domination is near].
- Maintain and strengthen the purity of the Church in doctrine and in life, and dedicate ourselves anew to the unfinished task of the Church, which is world evangelism in obedience to the Great Commission of our Lord.
Since this was written the World Council of Churches has taken into its membership virtually all of the Communistrun churches behind the Iron Curtain, and has included on its highest governing body, its Central Com ittee, five members of the Russian Orthodox Church from Moscow, including Metropolitan Nikodim.
Professor Josef L. Hromadka, the-No. I Protestant Defender of Communism, who sees no evil at all in Communism, has been a member of the Central Committee since its formation in 1948, and now his assistant, Milan Opocensky, is touring the various countries of the world, calling upon the Christians to support Communism and identifying Marxism with Christianity.
The ICCC pronouncement continued:
Further, because of its socialistic "Kingdom of God" propaganda which aids and abets the cause of Communism in the free nations of the world, we urge Christians to disassociate.
Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us that such colossal errors as Communism would come. He told us fully and with tender warning that Satan would bring even the elect into terrible temptation through deception, but Our sure promise is that he whose pierced hand holds the sovereign keys of life and death, Heaven and hell, is watching over us in love. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).
It was a Marxist who killed the President of the United States, November 22, 1963.
Millions of Christians do not understand Marxism, nor do they know the nature of their Christian faith. Marxism comes from the pit of darkness and is a device of Satan himself to attack the Almighty God. Christianity is a supernatural revelation from Heaven given to man through the infallible Scriptures in order that we might have the truth and might be able to receive the Gospel of good news and come Home to the Father.
The titanic struggle of. the day is between Marxism and Christianity. Christians must provide the leadership that calls upon the free nations not to do business with the Reds and, instead, to lead campaign of enlightenment that will expose to all the fraud of Marxism. Only in freedom can Christianity be spread, and the Christian should be the greatest champion of freedom. For this reason Christians have always been the finest of patriots.
Prepared and distributed by
20TH CENTURY REFORMATION HOUR
REV. CARL McINTIRE, D.D., DIRECTOR
Collingswood, New Jersey,
Sponsored by Christian Beacon
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