Marxism has become a very popular word in America. It is often used to deprecate the system of thought developed by progressives around issues of race and social justice. Though this accusation can be used unhelpfully at times to blockade helpful conversations about race and injustice, there is still much to deplore about Marxism. Marxism is the quasi-official teaching of communism and socialism, both of which are seen positively by many in America. This is partly from an admirable concern for the poor, equality and justice. However, history reveals great atrocities of communism and socialism, which Marxism paved the way for. That is why it is important to understand what Marxism teaches and what aspects of this ideology Christians should reject.
What is Marxism?
Marxism is the political ideology developed and articulated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their incredibly influential book The Communist Manifesto. Published in 1848, the book describes a radical call to revolution in order to erase class distinctions and wrestle power from the “oppressor” in order to achieve true equality. Vladimir Lenin, seeking to implement Marx’s thinking, led the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in the early 20th century, which established Soviet Russia. Needless to say, Marx’s ideology did not lead to the utopian society he envisioned, but instead to one of the bloodiest regimes in history who used torture, secret police, and gulags (labor/death camps) to silence all dissenting voices to the government.
In an effort to look at Marxism in light of Scripture, here are 12 ways Marxism is unbiblical. Whether you are adamantly opposed to or cautiously inclined toward Marxism, hopefully these principles bring helpful clarity to what aspects of Marxism all Christians should reject.
12 Ways Marxism is Unbiblical
1. Undermines the Christian Doctrine of Sin
Marxism places every person in one of two groups: oppressor or oppressed (“The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles…Freeman and slave…in a word, oppressor and oppressed”) The oppressed class is generally good while the oppressors are generally bad. It identifies people not as individuals but as part of a group. Implied in this is that people’s guilt or innocence is contingent upon which group they’re in. This is in direct contradiction to Romans 3:23 which says all have sinned and teaches that each individual should be held responsible for their sin as well as how they perhaps contributed to the sin of a group of people.
2. It Discourages Loving Our Enemies
Marxism encourages hostility toward the oppressor group. This contradicts Jesus’ command to pray for our enemies and forgive those who persecute us. This ideology is rooted in hate and bitterness, not love and forgiveness.
3. It Encourages an Unbiblical Disobedience of Government Authorities
It calls for the forcible overthrow of a government and even individuals in power based on economic inequality. This disobeys Romans 13 and 1 Pet. 2:13-17 which calls us to submit to authorities and to do whatever we can to be at peace with others. Of course, there is just cause for war and disobeying government authorities, namely when obedience to those authorities necessitates disobeying God.
4. It Focuses More on the Temporal than Eternal
Temporal needs are important and we should strive to meet them, but even if we are able to alleviate all suffering and inequality it would do nothing to solve people’s greatest need: reconciliation with God.[1] Marxism sets people’s hope on a utopian society rather than the new heavens and earth, and therefore risks the spiritual well-being. What good is it if someone gains the world and loses their soul? The march of progress toward a utopian society on earth is not the focus Scripture holds out, but rather the march toward heaven and the resurrection. Studies have revealed that missionaries who prioritize sharing the gospel ultimately do the most social good for communities.
5. It Harms People Spiritually by Promising Freedom but Encouraging them to Hate
Marx and Engels close their book with the phrase “Proletariat (oppressed) have nothing to lose but their chains.” Given that Marxism is an ideology rooted in hostility toward others, that is unlikely. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate the white man, but to win his friendship and understanding.”[2] Corie ten Boom said the survivors of the holocaust who thrived were the ones who were able to forgive.[3] We should pray and act to fight injustice, but Marxism leads people into further imprisonment by encouraging them to openly hate and thirst for revenge.
6. The Abolition of Private Property is Not Scriptural
Marxism demands government ownership of all property and the means of production. Yet, in Acts 2 believers owned property and gave generously of it. In the Old Testament people were commanded to give generously of the food in their fields to neighbors and to the poor (Lev. 19:9-10). God gave us resources to be generous with. Some don’t obey but that isn’t grounds to abolish something inherently good.
7. It Surrenders Christian Giving to the Power of the State
In Marxism, the state determines where money and resources go. Though we submit to government authorities we shouldn’t entrust them to determine our charitable giving by taking everything and giving it to causes they deem worthy.
8. Marxism Denigrates Suffering
Marxism disdains being poor and any separation of classes. Yet, Scripture never speaks of erasing differences when it comes to wealth or influence. Even in heaven there is reason to believe some saints will be given greater responsibilities and even honor (Luke 19:17) though we will all be perfectly content with Christ. More concerning is the lack of acknowledgment of positive benefits of suffering. This is curious, since Karl Marx seems to consider the poor and oppressed the only people worth uplifting. C.S. Lewis observes:
Those who would most scornfully repudiate Christianity as a mere “opium of the people” have a contempt for the rich, that is, for all mankind except the poor. They regard the poor as the only people worth preserving from “liquidation,” and place in them the only hope of the human race. But this is not compatible with a belief that the effects of poverty on those who suffer it are wholly evil; it even implies that they are good.[4]
Jesus said, “blessed are the poor,” and we can even greatly benefit from suffering (James 1:2-3; Job). Christians should seek to remove suffering and poverty, but can paradoxically hold that suffering can be an instrument of blessing in the Redeemer’s hand.
9. Marxism Denigrates Power in General
Marxism decries power as inherently evil, but Scripture teaches that leaders are a gift, though sin causes them to sometimes act wrongfully. This is why we are positively exhorted to submit to government authorities (Rom. 13), elders of a church (Heb. 13:7), and wives to their husbands (Eph. 5:22).
10. Marxism Has a Poor Doctrine of Depravity
Marxism paints a utopian vision where there will be no hostilities between nations. This is a poor doctrine of depravity. We are sinful and there will always be sin and oppression to some degree until Christ returns. This is why the founders of America sought to limit the power of government in the U.S. Constitution in order to protect the rights of individuals and ownership of property. Ironically, depravity was at work even in that document as they reprehensibly omitted blacks from these rights and privileges. However, the solution should be the inclusion of all in the safeguards of the constitution rather than the abolishment of the system as a whole, especially in order to replace it with a political system that has only wreaked havoc historically.
11. Marxism Has a Poor Epistemology (Theory of Truth and Knowledge)
Marxism teaches that truth depends on who is speaking and that the oppressor groups get to decide the “truth” of the culture. According to Marx, the oppressors will do and say anything to stay in power and so they can never be trusted (15). This leads to a situation where the oppressed alone can possess the truth. Scripture teaches that though truth can be twisted for selfish gain, it is nevertheless objective and universal, preeminently flowing from God and his Word (John 17:17).
12. Marxism Discourages Families
Marxism seeks to abolish the family because it sees it as an instrument of maintaining power for the oppressors through indoctrination and inheritances. Conversely, Scripture testifies to the blessing of the family to the individual and the necessity of family to any thriving society. Often the only saving grace of the poor is family or a family member.
Conclusion
This Scriptural analysis will hopefully lead to a deeper understanding of Marxism and its contemporary expressions as well as richer conversations with those we disagree with.
[1] Michael J. Kruger, The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity (Minneapolis: Cruciform Quick, 2019). 54
[2] Martin Luther King, Jr., “An Experiment in Love,” in A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., ed. James M. Washington (New York: Harper, 1986), 17.
[3] Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place, 35th Anniversary edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, 2006).
[4] C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1962). 108
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
