The Church and Socialism 101 It is in this connection that the movement called “Christian Socialism” should be criticised. To say the least, the name it has adopted is unfortunate, for it implies, whether intentionally or not, that other Socialists are not Christians, and that other Christians should be Socialists. One might as well speak of Christian Democrats, or Christian Republicans, or Christian Suffragists. The implications would be much the same. “Christian Socialism,” however, is not only an imperfect name; it is in most of its forms an unfortunate thing. In some cases, it is true, it is merely the expression of a benevo lent desire that a spirit of justice and brotherhood should be shown by men in their social and industrial relations. This is innocent enough; but as presented by the great mass of its advocates, “Christian Socialism” is neither Christian nor Socialism. It is disappointing to Christians and irritating to Socialists. It minimizes or denies such Christian truths as the incarnation, the virgin birth, the atonement, the resurrec tion, justification by faith, the work of the Holy Spirit, the second coming of Christ, and insofar it ceases to be true Christianity. On the other hand, it is not real Socialism. Few of its adherents deny the right of private capital, or insist upon the “collective ownership of the instruments of produc tion.” In the effort to unite Christianity and Socialism jus tice is done to neither. Such a union should never be at tempted. From Socialism as a strict economic theory, Chris tianity is absolutely distinct, and as a political proposal So cialism has no relation to the Church. II. Popular Socialism, however, is something quite differ ent from a scientific economic theory. It is a social creed, offered as a substitute for religion, promising material bene fits to all mankind, and bitterly opposed to Christianity and the Church. Much of this hatred is due to ignorance and prejudice. Great multitudes who call themselves Socialists have vague conceptions of the problems of political science or of the serious difficulties involved in the establishment of
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