Blog #7, Can the Bible Help Save World Poverty?

Summary

This article discusses the issue of whether or not the bible can help save world poverty.  This article revolves around an economist by the name of Barry Asmus, and a theologian by the name of Wayne Grudem.  These two teamed up to present a time-tested bluprint for what they believe, is the solution to solving poverty.  This blueprint revolves around a mixture of free market values and the bible.  These two wrote a book together titled "The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution", which they described as "a robust proposal for fighting poverty on the national level".  Through mixing both free market principles and teachings from the bible, they believe it can lead to economic prosperity and long-term stability.  They discuss the values, moral teachings, and the freedom of choice discusses in the bible.  Grudem said "one doesn’t need to embrace the Bible as the written word of God to see the book as offering up wise ancient wisdom that can be practically used in the real world".  Asmus said that the biggest problem with impoverished countries is ignorance.  Ignorance to the problem of poverty and to some of the antidotes needed to empower the populace.  Grudem also added that dependence on foreign aid, depleting natural resources, blaming outside sources for poverty and attempts to “redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor” are also impediments to success.

Analysis

I found this article to be very interesting and intriguing.  I actually agree with a lot of the points that both Asmus, and Grudem made throughout the article.  Some can be very controversial, but overall, I feel that their outlook and connection to the bible and free market values is pretty much on point.  However,  the two argue in the book that some effective principles for lowering poverty are governments that uphold freedoms like property ownership, the freedom to buy and sell, the freedom to travel, the freedom to trade and freedom from excessive government regulation.  However, many of this countries have no other choice but to listen to the government.  When you are under a dictatorship or a communist nation, if you rise up against them and rebel you will more than likely be killed.  For these drastic of changes to occur, it would require a vast amount of people to rise up, fight, protest, and rebel.  However, no changes will be made if the people who are fighting for change are killed.  This article and their book make some very interesting and thought provoking points, however I do not feel it is very "realistic".  Like Asmus said, ignorance is a major problem but how can these people not be ignorant?  They are constantly suppressed and oppressed, they have horrible education systems, they are ran by a corrupted government and police force, and they have very little freedom.  The only possible outcome of living in a society like this, is ignorance.

 http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/28/can-the-bible-help-solve-world-poverty/