Another Plug for Acton

I want to echo Brett's earlier post about the value and excellence of the Acton Institute.

I especially enjoyed Jennifer Roback Morse's teaching on marriage, the family and its impact on the market. She demonstrated how the breakdown in family (due to divorce, same-sex marriage, etc.) has negative consequences on the economy, which leads to a greater governmental role in society (which Acton makes clear is a bad thing).

Jay Richards presentation on “Myths of the Market” was another highlight for me. He cites three myths Christians believe about wealth, poverty, and the market. For example, he talks about how many people think the market is a zero-sum game. If I get rich, doesn’t that make someone else poor? He argues no. Instead, wealth can be created in a free-market system allowing a win-win situation for the rich and the poor.

The practical application that he (and Acton) makes is that there are more effective and more long-term solutions to solving poverty in our country and around the world than merely donating money to poor people. Entrepreneurship and the free market can directly address this issue of “social justice” that many Christians are rightly concerned about.

As Brett has already indicated, Acton is an excellent organization to help broaden the minds of Christians in the area of economics and our Christian faith. Add them to your favorite list, frequent their website, find them on Facebook, or plan to attend their events. You won’t be disappointed.

Comments

[Damian]

I would also suggest more I guess as a side line the MP3 The Death of Materialism by Jay Richards from the STR store. Although it was primarily dealing with intellegent design Jay did uncover the myth of the "zero sum game" in his talk. Very good resource.
Damian

[Jeremiah]

Jay's talk at the Veritas website on the environment is, quite possibly, the most informed and balanced approach to this issue from a Christian I've ever heard. There is a bit more info from him about this issue at the Acton website.

MP3 here: http://www.veritas.org/media/talks/555