One Red Tulip

Is Communism Biblical?

Communism: a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. (dictionary.com)

"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:44-45

I was watching a video on the Internet. I had heard it before, that Communism comes from the bible. It wasn't a surprise to hear it again, but it kind of tugged at my heart. Actually, it made me flinch. Under Communism in the old USSR, priests were murdered. Religion was crushed or nearly so. Does that come from the bible? 

But doesn't the above verse sound like it? I mean, sharing is good, right?

In Acts 2, the early church shared out of the goodness of their hearts. That was something God put there. God, who is eliminated in a Communist system. If we try to do this without God, it turns very sour, very quickly. It's like anything without God. Even religion without Him turns into legalism. Have you ever experienced legalism? For the love of God...

So is it biblical?

It is by force, by law, not from the heart. It makes a big difference. The bible is about the heart, willingly serving God. Not by force. You can't force someone to believe. Force robs us. We are meant to freely choose, to do this with our hearts. 

So I have to disagree with the Internet today. You know, sometimes it is wrong.

Read

Scholars read the great words of the world.

But you and I must learn to read the world itself.

from the novel A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Aaron's Blessing for Israel

The 

Lord 

Bless You 

and 
Keep You

Numbers 6:24

Translator

It was an impressive golden room. Everything was carved or plated, painted and bright. It was just one shade from too much, a brush stroke from overwhelming. Her eyes couldn't take it in, only her soul and with that only if her spirit helped. She stood in a state of thankfulness, peaceful to her core, until the huge double doors opened with thunder and her colleagues came in with the paper. 

They wanted a translation. She scanned the sheet with more than a little surprise. The text was written in many languages, over and over again. It was a repeating proclamation, with the languages of Earth intermingled and working together. The words seemed to link arms to speak and those that had no apparent connection combined to deliver the message. 

What was it? 

They recognized several words here and there. It was about God, of course. They studied it. They asked her to pray. But every prayer had already been answered. She knew what it said and she'd been waiting for it. 

God is...

God is angry? God is coming? 

The nebulous "God is Love" that seems to cover all sins, but exposes them instead? 

It was a mystery to almost all in that shimmering room. 

Was it a warning? 

No, she told them. It is not a warning. And with a deep breath she revealed it. It says, "God is here."

Now

She was born under the shadow. At least, that's what the shadow told her. Lie after lie, always looking one way or another, just not straight ahead. The shadow lead her; the lie lead them both. 

She was hopeful, a sign that another was interfering in her path. Sometimes she would hear "no" and she would stop, turn a little, pause and wait. She began to hear that no often and the shadow winced every time.

She was glamourous. A girl made of glitter. Glitter made of diamonds and all of the other deceptive stones that are sparkly but useless. All eyes were on her. So what.

She swept them away and there was nothing left. No accolades to feed on. Nothing but nothing. Open air. Empty wide skies. And she loved it.

"Here," said the voice. "Now." 

And she was different. The shadow crumbled, as if pulled away by a string, and the lie stumbled over its own words, unable to stand. 

She was free, though she didn't know what that meant yet. She only knew she was different, separated from the lies that had led her and listening intently for that still small voice to say no or now.