<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In recent centuries Christians of various denominations have endorsed many different political philosophies that they see as being truly biblical in their approach. Over this time there has been an increasing hostility, by some Christians, towards free markets and political philosophies that hold human liberty as the highest goal such as libertarianism and classical liberalism. This criticism is unwarranted and misplaced as libertarianism and free markets are not only compatible with Christianity, they are also the most biblically sound of all economics systems and political philosophies endorsed by Christians today. Therefore, this paper will argue that Christians of all denominations should endorse free markets and libertarianism if they wish to create a world that follows biblical principles and the teachings of Jesus.</p></abstract>

In recent centuries Christians of various denominations have endorsed many different political philosophies that they see as being truly biblical in their approach. Over this time there has been an increasing hostility, by some Christians, towards free markets and political philosophies that hold human liberty as the highest goal such as libertarianism and classical liberalism. This criticism is unwarranted and misplaced as libertarianism and free markets are not only compatible with Christianity, they are also the most biblically sound of all economics systems and political philosophies endorsed by Christians today. Therefore, this paper will argue that Christians of all denominations should endorse free markets and libertarianism if they wish to create a world that follows biblical principles and the teachings of Jesus.

Christianity, the Free Market, and Libertarianism

Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed, Chair and Professor of Economics, Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business

Studia Humana

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Christianity, the Free Market, and Libertarianism"}

In recent centuries Christians of various denominations have endorsed many different political philosophies that they see as being truly biblical in their...

Christianity, the Free Market, and Libertarianism

Published Online: Nov 01, 2017

Page range: 34 - 44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sh-2017-0025

Keywords
Christianity, free enterprise, libertarianism

© 2017 Christian Light et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Christianity, the Free Market, and Libertarianism

Published Online: Nov 01, 2017

Page range: 34 - 44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sh-2017-0025

KeywordsChristianity, free enterprise, libertarianism

© 2017 Christian Light et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Christianity, free enterprise, libertarianism