09/20/11
REFORMING BUSINESS
Much has been written concerning the need for reforming the church and government, but less has been written about the need to reform business and commerce. If the Lord should allow reformed Christian government to arise again, it is doubtful it will long survive much less thrive if essentially atheistic and materialistic business entities exist within it, for money talks. At least five specific modern business conditions must be questioned and reformed:
1. The existence of corporations providing limited liability to their shareholders, but also an overly litigious society where legal extortion is not uncommon.
2. Entering into joint ownership of business enterprises with heretics and infidels (such as exists in virtually all modern publicly held corporations with shareholders of all religious stripes)
3. Permitting a business enterprise to operate in a given political unit that is not owned by Christian(s) and run according to Biblical Christian principles (but instead is often run with the sole goal of maximizing profit)
4. Settling business disputes between Christian businesses in pagan courts instead of reformed Christian courts
5. Allowing work that is not a matter of necessity or mercy to occur on the Christian Sabbath.
With respect to the first issue, I would direct readers to Dr. Robert Dabney’s treatment on the topic at http://date-dabitur.com/dabney-on-corporations/ . I would simply add that nothing I find in Biblical law would seem to justify limiting liability in the way modern publicly held corporations enjoy, as I explain in more detail in my economics textbook at http://www.puritans.net/curriculum/Economics.pdf . Of course, on the other side of the equation, there must be more justice and less litigious abuse, such that honest businessmen are not forced to pay because of legal extortion.
With respect to the second issue, entering into joint ownership of business enterprises with heretics and infidels seems to be contrary to such principles as not being “unequally yoked with unbelievers” (II Corinthians 6:14).
With respect to the third issue, there is nothing wrong with businesses seeking to make a profit, and even maximizing profitability, so long as it is done in a way consistent with Biblical Christian principles. But when the chief end of a business enterprise ceases to be the glorification of God, then it has a significantly diminished benefit to society. Every man and institution of man is duty bound to be reformed Christian and to conduct itself according to Biblical Christian principles. No exception should be allowed in a covenanted reformed Christian state.
With respect to the fourth issue, it seems business disputes between Christian business should be adjudicated by Christians (I Corinthians 6:1-7).
With respect to the fifth issue, the Fourth Commandment is clear and observance of the Lord’s Day has never been abrogated as a moral law.
In addition to these, it would seem a reformed Christian society should discourage debt and usury, and it should maintain a sound currency (probably based on gold and silver). Fractional reserve banking – where borrowed money is essentially lent out – is also questionable. And the outright modern prohibition on indentured servanthood also seems questionable.
If the Lord allows reformed Christian communities to arise by means of the Reformation Party (http://www.reformationparty.org/ ) or some other means, we should pray for wisdom to reform commercial law and business practices conducive to the welfare of a reformed Christian society. For example, should there not be stock exchanges where only Reformation Party members (voting as well as non-voting Party members) are allowed to buy and sell? And should there not be business contracts which have an arbitration provision by Reformation Party officers in the case of business dispute? These and other possibilities must be carefully examined and considered.