Musing 137

In contrast to today’s hype (read - deception) based economy, where he who spins the best get’s the “line goes up fastest” award, what would an intentionally Christian economy look like?

I think a God-centered economy would be very distinctive :

1) the obvious would be an honoring of the Sabbath. While there may be far more considered “essential” (and thus ok to do on Sundays), it would be very interesting to see what a weekly day of rest from commerce would do to and for our economy. 2) a recognition that our vocation is not the pinnacle of self-worth or of our time investment. One of the valid criticisms of Americans is that we often center our identities on our vocation. 3) a displacement of consumerism as the endpoint of capitalism. As it stands now, the production of things and selling those things is the end goal for capitalistic economies. In this new model, production becomes a means to a greater end - that of the subduing of creation to the glory of God. This includes a greater emphasis on researching the natural order, finding ways to maximize the benefit to human flourishing, while still well stewarding the earth. 4) there are strong anti-corruption laws that are vigorously enforced. The last century has seen corruption of our systems through the use of money. A God centered economy is one which recognizes that just laws must be enforced and that the integrity of the system must be preserved. Those who give bribes must be stripped of their ability to influence the system. 5) tied to 4, a valuing of honesty. I think any such economy would have to significantly curtail or full on ban the over the top marketing we see today, and that the hype sessions given space in news articles would need to always be factual. No more corporate puffery in contexts where AI could make use of the statements.

And I’m sure there are many other facets that would need to be encouraged or required in such a system. But I think these are a good starting point. I’ll have to finish reading Kuyper’s Business and Economics to help gain some insight.