Nash, Social Justice and the Christian Church

Share this:

Ronald Nash, Social Justice and the Christian Church. CSS Publishing, 2002.

Referenced in: Christian Perspectives on Economics and Public Policy

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

The late Ronald Nash (d. 2006) first wrote this book in 1983 while a professor of philosophy and religion at Western Kentucky University. Since then it has been through several printings. Nash effectively describes and distinguishes the political and ethical orientations of both liberal and conservative politics, and how these two ethical positions influence American policy, liberals toward socialism and conservatives toward capitalism.

Of particular concern to Nash is the concept of social justice. In contrarian fashion, he challenges the assumption of most Christian literature on the subject that aligns with socialist economic policy. He provides careful contextual analyses of biblical texts regarding aid to the poor, and encourages caution as Christians use these texts as bases for socialism. For example, Nash demonstrates the serious misapplications of scriptures (e.g. the Year of Jubilee) to support distributive justice, or “spreading the wealth around.” He contends with these and other trends, and then cites Old and New Testament texts to reinforce a biblical ethic of compassionate care for the poor that is not wedded to socialism and that may, in fact, be forwarded more effectively through capitalist, free-market economic policies.

Nash echoes and expands on many of the same principles in a book co-authored by James P. Gills, A Biblical Economics Manifesto (Creation House, 2002). Nash is recognized for his theological reflections on capitalist-friendly social justice. Other theologies on the same subject are listed in the resource guide, Christian Perspectives on Economics and Public Policy.

Editorial Reviews

An illuminating book that throws down the gauntlet to those who would capture evangelical Christianity for leftist causes. A free market champion, Nash insists that socialism caricatures capitalism and disadvantages more than it helps the needy. – Carl F. H. Henry

An excellent presentation of the case for free enterprise … a deadly indictment of socialism in all its forms … should be read by all who are interested in the mission of the church as it relates to ‘social’ justice and especially by those who think the Bible calls for the redistribution of wealth as the epitome of true justice. – Harold Lindsell

Nash’s book is a crest in the new wave of evangelical social thought which is sweeping in. This wave follows the earlier one, which was statist and anti-capitalist in direction, and promises to overtake it. It concentrates more on how wealth is produced than on how it is redistributed and thus should do the poor more good in the long run…. Many offer liberation today and give people tyranny; Nash offers liberation and gives it. – Clark H. Pinnock

About the Author

Ronald Nash (d. 2006) was widely regarded as one of the premier evangelical philosophers in the world. He was professor of philosophy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He taught at a number of other colleges and seminaries, including Western Kentucky University and Reformed Theological Seminary. The author of more than 35 books on philosophy, theology and economics, Dr. Nash was in constant demand as a speaker throughout the world.

***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***

See Other Resource Guides on Christian Social Ministry:

Related Ministry Resource Guides on LifeandLeadership.com:

See Resources on Over 100 Ministry Topics:

Ministry Resource Guides Index

Economic Systems, Social Justice, Social Ministry