Following the news of the vaccine debacle in the EU feels somewhat like watching a soap opera. Notwithstanding questionable, if understandable, safety concerns, we’ve had Emmanuel Macron’s rubbishing of the Oxford/Astra Zeneca jab as ‘quasi-ineffective for the over-65s’, the raiding of an Italian plant involved in the manufacture, and threats of export bans and seizing vaccines intended for export, along with intellectual property, whilst vaccines remain unused in fridges. The swings in rhetoric have left even Jean-Claude Juncker, the arch-Europhile, criticising the EU.
A society based on the laws of God intrinsically has the foundation on which to prosper.
Economists are raising concerns in terms of Europe’s long-term economy. The actions of threatening to nationalise or requisition vaccines is worrying in terms of the threat to private companies, as it is essentially the taking of others property. If assets can be seized or companies prevented from fulfilling contracts in this way, it sets a precedent that undermines the basis on which companies can effectively work. How many companies will now think twice about expanding or relocating within the EU? Indeed, a German factory has already lost out on the British contract to fill and finish the Novavax vaccines, due to the risk of the vaccines being seized by the EU.1
Interesting enough, you may say, but what is the specific interest for Christians?
A biblical basis for flourishing economies
Economies matter, as they contribute to people’s well-being, health, and even life. But it is interesting to consider just how much of a good, functioning economy is based, not so much on ‘greed’ as Boris Johnson said (and then retracted), but on the teachings of the Bible.
Deuteronomy 28 lists blessings for Israel if it follows God’s laws (and curses if it does not). Undoubtedly, the spiritual protection, or lack of it, is a key part of understanding this passage; nonetheless, a society based on the laws of God intrinsically has the foundation on which to prosper.
One of the concerning things involved in the ideas of ‘the Great Reset’ is the idea that people will not own anything – for the purposes of ‘fairness’. Yet actually, the Bible recognises ownership of land, animals and wealth as important. One of the Ten Commandments is, of course, "You shall not steal". Ownership of land is seen as vital. Ezekiel 46:18 states that, “The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people, driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that not one of my people will be separated from their property.”
Laws were put in place to ensure that if someone, out of poverty, had to sell their land, it was seen as a lease, and would be returned to them at the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). How often this actually occurred is unknown. What this law also does is recognise that there will be times when things go wrong, that need correcting, for we live in an imperfect world, where corrections will be needed – a back up or safety net. (So taxes to pay for a welfare state are an appropriate alternative way of doing this.)
Property rights, in whatever form, are in fact essential to prosperity. If an entrepreneur is going to risk everything and work hard to start a business, he (or she) wants to know that if successful, he will be able to keep a fair and just proportion of the profits. He wants to know that it will not be taken away from him, whether by gangs, criminals, or an unjust government. This has echoes of Luke 14:28, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
The Bible is the source of honesty
Biblical laws play a significant part in a good functioning economy in other ways too. Leviticus, a book avoided by so many Christians, is full of essential laws. These include; “Do not defraud your neighbour or rob him” (Lev 19:13); “Do not pervert justice, do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly” (Lev 19:15); “Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life” (Lev 19:16); “Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales.” (Lev 19:35); Exodus 20:16 also says, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour” (Ex 20:16).
These things all seem obvious to us, not just as Christians, but from living in a culture which is still essentially based upon Christian principles. But they are not automatic. Humanists would have you believe that these are principles common to all people. But that is not the case.
Vishal Mangalwadi, a Christian Indian philosopher (and missionary), writes of his eyes being opened to how trust in business – trusting that others will follow the principles of honesty in the above verses (along with other biblically based values) – meant that Western Europe was able to prosper before other countries.2 He describes being in Holland, where he was staying with a Dutchman who took him to buy milk one day. They went to a farm, where his friend filled a jug, put money into a bowl of cash on the windowsill, collecting the change needed, and then they left. Vishal was astounded, saying “Man, if you were an Indian, you would take the milk and the money!”
He realised the importance of trust and honesty, which allowed this kind of arrangement to be commonplace in Europe while Christianity flourished. If this were in India, he explains, the owner would need to hire a cashier to prevent theft, which would put up the price of the milk. “But, if the consumer were corrupt, why should the dairy owner be honest? He would add water to the milk to make more money.” So inspectors would be needed. But why would the inspectors be honest? They could extract bribes from the supplier. All these things would put up the price of the milk, to the benefit of no-one. There would be no money left over for anything additional, which could add value. People remain in poverty, struggling to afford basics, all because of the lack of honesty and trust.
Essentially, the more that a society follows the laws of God, then the more trust there is in each other, and the more everyone is able to prosper.
Essentially, the more that a society follows the laws of God, then the more trust there is in each other, and the more everyone is able to prosper. (Not forgetting the paramount importance of generosity – providing for the poor, the foreigner and the destitute.)
The terrible consequences of rejecting God's laws
Grenfell Tower fire - a devastating result of corruption and greed - Natalie Oxford/PA Wire/PA Images
The risks of moving away from the biblical principle of honesty have been starkly highlighted in the inquiry about the Grenfell Tower disaster. Regarding the cladding, it transpires that the companies in question knew full well about the fire risk. Dishonest techniques, including bribery, appear to have been used to hide the danger, all in the name of profit. Corruption and dishonesty allowed these companies to knowingly endanger the lives of others, to a terrible and utterly avoidable end.3
True prosperity for all is only possible in a world that follows God’s laws. This country, and indeed Europe, was built upon them. As a nation, we have been turning our back on them, as the sexual permissiveness, pornography4, and abortion laws show, to devastating effects. As yet, we still cling to the notions of fairness and justice. Yet we do so without any understanding of where they come from. If we continue to reject God’s laws, at what point do we forfeit the blessings that naturally and intrinsically come with them?
Our Judeo-Christian heritage is about so much more than religious rituals or beliefs disconnected to normal life. Our faith has formed the backbone of our Western society, for all the mistakes and failures that have occurred. The Bible formed the foundation of our legal system, science, medicine and education, as well as our freedoms. It is a truth that the world needs to know.
Endnotes
1Novavax: Deal agreed to 'fill and finish' 60 million doses in UK, Nick Triggle, BBC News, 30 March 2021
2The Book That Made Your World; How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization by Vishal Mangalwadi, 2012
3The dark heart of the cladding scandal has been exposed, by Peter Apps, The Spectator, 30 March 2021
4Comment:Porn has corrupted our children – and we let it happen, by Allison Pearson, the Telegraph, 30 March 2021
