Was Jesus a Socialist? By Lawrence W. Reed

WAS JESUS A SOCIALIST?

Foundation for Economic Education president emeritus Lawrence W. Reed reveals it is pure fantasy to believe that Jesus wanted earthly governments to redistribute wealth, centrally plan the economy, or impose welfare states.

Socialism is making a shocking comeback in America - and so is the idea that "Jesus was a socialist." Everyone from MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell to the Democratic Socialists of America to the Huffington Post is trying to enlist Jesus in their redistribution schemes.

There's only one problem: their claims are completely bogus.

In his new book, Was Jesus a Socialist? economist and historian Lawrence W. Reed demolishes the idea that Jesus called on earthly governments to redistribute wealth or centrally plan the economy - or even to impose a welfare state.

Reed is president emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education. Was Jesus a Socialist? expands on his immensely popular Prager University video, which has attracted more than 4 million views.

Was Jesus a Socialist? could not be timelier. Consider...

·    More than half of young Americans say they'd rather live in a socialist country than in a capitalist one;

·    In a 2016 Barna Group poll, Americans said that socialism aligns better with Jesus's teachings than capitalism does and that self-proclaimed "democratic socialist" Bernie Sanders aligns closest to Jesus's teachings; and

·    In a 2019 survey, more than 70 percent of millennials said they were likely to vote for a socialist.

Point by point, Reed answers the claims of socialists and progressives who try to enlist Jesus in their causes. As he reveals, nothing in the New Testament supports their contentions. Was Jesus a Socialist? shows:

·    Why it's absurd to believe that the Parable of the Good Samaritan makes the case for government welfare programs and redistribution;

·    What Jesus said - and didn't say - about rich people... and why these teachings are so misunderstood;

·    The real meaning of Jesus's famous line: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's";

·    Why Winston Churchill was right when he called socialism the "gospel of envy";

·    Why money is NOT the "root of all evil" - and what the New Testament actually says; and

·    How, if anything, Jesus's teachings support free markets and private property over socialism.

"A timely, lively, learned and well-argued masterpiece that deftly demolishes the claims that Jesus was at heart a Marxist. Reed's impressively deep knowledge of economics and the New Testament shines through. Woe to those who try to challenge him on the subject of Jesus's alleged political beliefs!" --Steve Forbes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lawrence W. Reed is President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE). A former professor of economics, he is the author or editor of several other books, including Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism and Real Heroes: Inspiring True Stories of Courage, Character, and Conviction. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and an international speaker.