While I see the thread of your thoughts, I am a bit conflicted. I see the federal government as have over stepped their constitutional boundaries. The federal government has no constitutional mandate to redistribute citizens wealth, nor a mandate to do anything but "promote the general welfare" of the country.
As a Christian and a Conservative, I see my role as promoting the administration of "welfare" through my church and the local government, which in my case is Fairfax, Virginia. I would also see a role of citizens in any local promoting charitable giving by businesses and affluent individuals. (promoting not extorting) A contributor here has suggested a 1:1 Virginia tax credit for any business that funds a private or charter school. I would expand the credit to homeless shelters, not for profit mental health organizations and the like.
Matthew 15-22:21 is probably the most complex and misunderstood passage in the Bible. Clearly this passage was a response to trap Jesus. The Pharisee were prohibited to have graven images. When one of them produced a denarium (that was the only coin that the Romans would accept in payment of the taxes.) Jesus asked after the graven image on the coin. The image was that of Caesar. The obverse was embossed with "Caesar is God." Clearly the coin(s) were unclean and to hold them made the owner unclean. By telling the Pharisees to give them back to Caesar he was saying that the Romans were unclean and the coins should not be held, lest the holder would remain unclean. It was not, and should never construed to be Jesus' statement that taxation is acceptable. There are many more nuances here but those are for another day and time.
Over all this is a well written essay. Thank you. I hope I have added some insight.
I find it fascinating that you go further than the text regarding the coinage of Ceasar. I am not sure I would have divined uncleanliness of the coin through the self-attesting scriptures. However, in my opinion, all coins are unclean. I believe Jesus may have shared that opinion.
I did not suggest redistribution of wealth by the federal government. However, a wealth tax is not a poor plan. Neither is requiring companies like Netflix and Amazon to pay their fair share. Currently our system has text books full of loopholes in the tax law for businesses and for people with capital. In fact, it allows them to gain interest on regular tax paying people. This is why we all want to be entrepreneurs, yes? The Capital American Dream. Others work for me that I may be free.
This is an issue I believe goes all the way back to Jesus in the Temple overthrowing money changers. The idea of Christians and the church heading up social reform is phenomenal and unfortunately idealistic. My father was a baptist pastor who ended up on disability due to early onset dementia. I am well aware of how the church cares for their shepherd and his family. My family was more fortunate than most because of extended family, definitely not because of support from any congregation.
My point is not to pit left against right or say any one has an upper hand. Both sides of the political spectrum are committing atrocities in the name of Freedom for their own Self. We have certainly evolved into a country of every man for himself under the God of Wall Street. 🙏
I appreciate your thoughts! Thanks for reading + commenting!
EmJay, Corporations do not pay taxes. We reimburse them for any funds they are forced to give to the federal, state, and/or local government. Their taxes are just overhead, like the cost of barrowing monies, capitol improvements, research, employee wages and salaries, and the like. Theoretically, the cost of a movie from Netflix or something from Amazon is less expensive because they are able to avoid paying taxes.
As I understand John 2:13 - 19 Jesus drove the merchants and money changers our of the temple as they made the temple unclean. The merchants charging too much for sacrifice animals and the money changers (that took shekels for Roman coinage to pay the Roman taxes that were charging interest [forbidden under Jewish law] and exorbitant exchange rates.) Here is where he also prophesied that he would rise after three days. This may be where you and I have come to believe that coins are unclean.
I am not, nor will I ever try to pit Left or Right against each other. I try to add to the body of knowledge, make persuasive arguments, and move closer to the Truth.
I eagerly await Part 2, as this piece was brilliant. Thank you.
While I see the thread of your thoughts, I am a bit conflicted. I see the federal government as have over stepped their constitutional boundaries. The federal government has no constitutional mandate to redistribute citizens wealth, nor a mandate to do anything but "promote the general welfare" of the country.
As a Christian and a Conservative, I see my role as promoting the administration of "welfare" through my church and the local government, which in my case is Fairfax, Virginia. I would also see a role of citizens in any local promoting charitable giving by businesses and affluent individuals. (promoting not extorting) A contributor here has suggested a 1:1 Virginia tax credit for any business that funds a private or charter school. I would expand the credit to homeless shelters, not for profit mental health organizations and the like.
Matthew 15-22:21 is probably the most complex and misunderstood passage in the Bible. Clearly this passage was a response to trap Jesus. The Pharisee were prohibited to have graven images. When one of them produced a denarium (that was the only coin that the Romans would accept in payment of the taxes.) Jesus asked after the graven image on the coin. The image was that of Caesar. The obverse was embossed with "Caesar is God." Clearly the coin(s) were unclean and to hold them made the owner unclean. By telling the Pharisees to give them back to Caesar he was saying that the Romans were unclean and the coins should not be held, lest the holder would remain unclean. It was not, and should never construed to be Jesus' statement that taxation is acceptable. There are many more nuances here but those are for another day and time.
Over all this is a well written essay. Thank you. I hope I have added some insight.
I find it fascinating that you go further than the text regarding the coinage of Ceasar. I am not sure I would have divined uncleanliness of the coin through the self-attesting scriptures. However, in my opinion, all coins are unclean. I believe Jesus may have shared that opinion.
I did not suggest redistribution of wealth by the federal government. However, a wealth tax is not a poor plan. Neither is requiring companies like Netflix and Amazon to pay their fair share. Currently our system has text books full of loopholes in the tax law for businesses and for people with capital. In fact, it allows them to gain interest on regular tax paying people. This is why we all want to be entrepreneurs, yes? The Capital American Dream. Others work for me that I may be free.
This is an issue I believe goes all the way back to Jesus in the Temple overthrowing money changers. The idea of Christians and the church heading up social reform is phenomenal and unfortunately idealistic. My father was a baptist pastor who ended up on disability due to early onset dementia. I am well aware of how the church cares for their shepherd and his family. My family was more fortunate than most because of extended family, definitely not because of support from any congregation.
My point is not to pit left against right or say any one has an upper hand. Both sides of the political spectrum are committing atrocities in the name of Freedom for their own Self. We have certainly evolved into a country of every man for himself under the God of Wall Street. 🙏
I appreciate your thoughts! Thanks for reading + commenting!
EmJay, Corporations do not pay taxes. We reimburse them for any funds they are forced to give to the federal, state, and/or local government. Their taxes are just overhead, like the cost of barrowing monies, capitol improvements, research, employee wages and salaries, and the like. Theoretically, the cost of a movie from Netflix or something from Amazon is less expensive because they are able to avoid paying taxes.
As I understand John 2:13 - 19 Jesus drove the merchants and money changers our of the temple as they made the temple unclean. The merchants charging too much for sacrifice animals and the money changers (that took shekels for Roman coinage to pay the Roman taxes that were charging interest [forbidden under Jewish law] and exorbitant exchange rates.) Here is where he also prophesied that he would rise after three days. This may be where you and I have come to believe that coins are unclean.
I am not, nor will I ever try to pit Left or Right against each other. I try to add to the body of knowledge, make persuasive arguments, and move closer to the Truth.
I eagerly await Part 2, as this piece was brilliant. Thank you.