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Byron Snapp

Book Reviews
On Stone or Sand: The Ethics of
Christianity, Capitalism and
Socialism by Michael Kelley Pleroma
Press, Box 242, Carson, N. D. 58529
c. 1993241 pp., pb. $10.95.
To many people, our counny's
continual slide into socialism can only
be desclibed in one word absurd.
Having read Mr. Kelley's book another
word can be aptly used, rebellion;
rebellion against God.
In this very important book Mr.
Kelley clearly and convincingly shows
that economics is not neutral. One's
view of economics ultimately flows
from one's view of God.
Thus the author correctly uses
about one half the book to explain
Christianity. The foundation for
Christianity rests in the triune God
who has made a covenant with the
elect among fallen man. Drawing lnan
unto Himself, with the elect among
fallen man. Drawingman unto Himself
man is to live for God in evelY area of
life including economics.
The author lightly argues that
capitalism is the Scriptural based
method for econOlnicrelationships and
transactions. He wlites: "Capitalism
holds a high view of man, because it
rises from the notion that man as
image of God is capable of self-
realization, and capitalism works only
in a context in which this notion has
ethical preeminence. It sets great store
by man's entrepreneUlial skills, which
are evelY bit as much a talent to be
exercised on behalf of God's kingdom
as any other." Cp.112)
Opposed to capitalism is socialism.
Its religious doctline is rooted in
humanism, the belief that man is his
own god. Socialism cannot tolerate
anything that has to do with the free
play and initiative of individuals.
Socialism's goal is to coerce everyone
to submit to the desires and ambitions
of a few. Cp. 112)
The second half of the book is an
examination of capitalism and
socialism. He does this by the critique
of Bob Goudzwaard's book Capitalism
and Progress. His interaction with this
book provides the reader with many
insights regarding capitalism's role in
history and the progress that has
accompanied it. The reader also see
the holes is Socialism's arguments that
cannot be plugged by logic or histOlical
fact.
To understand socialism one must
understand to some degree the
teachings of Plato and his influence in
history. When one finishes the book
there is a better understanding of the
impact of Greek thinking on our
current culture.
As I mentioned earlier, this book is
important. Its importance is seen in
that the author begins by explaining
Christianity and the need for
conversion before there can be a proper
understanding and application of true
economics to daily life. Thus
conservatism without Christ is merely
another form of humanism. Secondly
this book explains why there continues
to be a wide acceptance and push for
socialistic policies. Our society is at
warwithGod. Sadly modern churches
have stood on the sidelines in its battle
or all too often fought on the side of
humanism. Increasinglywe are reaping
the consequences of such action.
Hopefully future editions will
include an index and bibliography
which would increase the usefulness
of this book.
This book provides a good basis
for Christians to think through
economic order from a Biblical
perspective. The fact that this book is
in plint gives us hope that people are
again interested in studying this vital
issue. In God's time a change in
economic thinking at the grass roots
will result in change throughout
society. This book provides us with
great impetus to work for that day
when our economic activity will be
built on the stone of capitalism, rather
than the sand of socialism.
The Kingdom and the Power:
Rediscovering the Centrality oj the
Church by Peter J. Leithart,
Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing
Co., P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, NJ
08865 1993 269 pp. incl. index pb.
In the midst of the continual decline
of American culture, it is very easy for
concerned Christians to increasingly
devote free time to the political process.
The author sees the importance of
politiCS but wisely points out that the
capture of the political process will not
assure the society Christians desire.
Instead, the author examines the
meaning of the kingdom of God and
thus of the importance of the church.
The kingdom of God is defined as "the
newworld order that Christ established
in His life, death, resurrection, and
ascension, a new order of things that
will be fully revealed and established
only at Christ's return." Cp. 17) Central
to the kingdom is the church. "In fact,
the Bible teaches that the church is
central to the kingdom of God.
Worship is not peripheral but central
to the kingdom. It seems that when it
is said that the church is no more
important than other institutions, what
is often meant is that she is really less
important.
When we think carefully about it,
however, we can see that Christ's
universalmle and His rule of the church
are inseparable." Cp. 61)
June, 1994 TIlE COUNSEL of Chalcedon ;. 23
The a\lthor provides interesting
insights and implications of man's fall
i,n the Garden. Then he points us to
our. Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus
Christ and His Il,nished wotk.The
reader is reminded of the importance
of that work, the conversion of the
elect, and . the im ponance of
worshipping the Triune God.
' As the church is faithful in its
worship and ministry, we can be
assured of the world's notice and the
advancement of God's kingdom. He
rightly points out that the problems of
the church today are not the result of
the world's hostiliry but mstead they
result from a failure to please God.
There are many ways this can be seen ..
A feir examples include lIeating the
Lord'sr:iay as just another day, seeking
to please man in our worship rather
than God, being absent from worship
in order to attend political rallies or
sports events, etc. Sadly, many who
profess Christianity see no reason to
commit themselves to a local church
body.
Mr. Leithart's ' book makes for
important readinginourday. His keen
insights give us a deeperunderstanding
of Scripture. His clarity of style makes
his thesis understandable.
This book will help us to have our
priorities straight. We mustnot neglect
our proper role before earthly kings.
Hbwever, we dare riot stress changing
ungodly earthly rulers to the neglect of
worshipping the King of Kings and
Lord of all.
Obedience to theLaws of God: The
Sure and Indispensable Defense of
Nations by Ashbel Green, Reformed
Presbyterian Press, P.O. Box 402
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407, 38 pp. pb.
$3.95, 5 or more copies are $2.00
each. .'
This excellent booklet is a reprint
of Green's 1798work. It was written at
a time of national uncertainty in the
life of our young nation. The author
feared that newly formed America was
straying from Christianity as the root
from which its national laws grew.
Early in the book he summarizes
the theme for this work. "The nation
that adheres to the laws of God shall be
protected and prospered by him, but
the nation that forsakes and disregards
those laws he will destroy." (p. 8) In
the following clearly written pages he
shows the importance of national
obedience from Scriptural testimony
as well as historical evidence. Writing
with a pastor's heart he closes his
writing with practical applications to
the reader that are asneeded in our day
as in his.
This booklet is a welcomed reprint
for several reasons. It deals with the
issue of the relevance of God' sWord to
national life which continues to be an
issue in our own day. The authorrightly
24 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon June, 1994
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
BULK RATE
Permit No. 1553
Greenville, SC
29602
points out that all nations are
accountable to Gcd and are to be
obedient to His Word. In our day of so
much pluralistic thinking even within
conservative denominations this is a
much needed teaching that hopefully
will get a wide reading within the
church membership.
The book is brief, pOinted, and
soundly Scriptural. We are living in a
day of growing intolerance for
Christianity by even those who are
demanding tolerance for all lifestyles.
Hopefully God will use this excellent
booklet as an alarm clock to wake up
unto Biblical action the many who are
asleep in their padded pews and
comfortable homes before they are
awakened in greater national
judgement. Its affordable price
encourages distribution to those in
political vocations as well as church
groups.n

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