The essence of modern socialism and communism is that we can build heaven on earth by rearranging economic systems.

Socialism and communism begin with the assumption that human problems can be solved if we can just force the economic structures into the right shape.

Whereas the early church trusted God to solve their problems. They weren't trying to force anybody's system into the right shape. Whereas the early church trusted God to solve their problems. They weren't trying

to force anybody's system into the right shape because they knew that you can't save people

by forcing social systems into the right shape. And I think we can say that, but I want to stop

and put a big warning marker on this. Scripture's emphasis here is on the call to radical generosity,

which the church today is not yet living up to. We should not lose that in the debate about is Acts 4 socialist.

Welcome to the Crossway podcast, a show where we sit down with authors each week for thoughtful

interviews about the Bible, theology, church history, and a Christian life.

I'm Matt Tully, and today I'm talking with Greg Forster.

Greg serves as the director of the

Oikinomia Network at the Center for Transformational Churches at Trinity International University.

He's also the author of a number of books including Economics, a student's guide.

Today, Greg and I discuss the answer to an important question.

Were the first Christian socialists?

He also reflects on how believers should think about

our global economy, the right way to respond to increasing income inequality in the U.S.

and why Christians should be the most generous people on earth. Let's get started.

Well, Greg, thank you so much for being here on the Crossway podcast today.

Thanks for having me.

So in our culture today, we spend a lot of time thinking and talking and debating various issues related to economics.

And we spend a lot of time discussing some of the ethical considerations related to economics.

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