New Testament Civility and Sustainable Economic Growth

Is it possible to have a “good economy” apart from New Testament Civility which includes the precepts of the Protestant work ethic? The short answer, no. Without New Testament Civility we are left with a greed only based economic pathos which always has a downward spiral. This is why the socialism/communism model always fails; it has at its core, contempt for God and a sole focus on man’s self-centered needs, particularly the ruling masters. Capitalism unhooked from the New Testament has the same fate for it too soon develops contempt for God and a sole focus on man’s self-centered needs, once again the ruling masters. Adam Smith did not live in a bubble; he saw there was far more in men and sound economies, than a sole focus on self-interest in the ideas behind his famous book, “The Wealth of Nations.” His first book “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” is in large part his observation of the importance and reality of New Testament Civility. Capitalism infused with New Testament Civility has so far proved to be the only model which can come anywhere close to sustainable economic growth. Where are we today in America? Our federal government leaders, (both Democrat and Republican) and the public institutions they now control are purging New Testament Civility from our country. Not a good idea for sustainable economic growth, but a fleeting boom for short-sighted gain. Here’s a related question for you. Why does no one even mention the Protestant Work Ethic anymore? From 1621 well into the 1900’s it was universally known as the engine that first built and then powered the American economy and it did. The hyper-federalists, global economists, and Wall Street are missing something big.