Old Testament question re: Amos- What's up with all of the Socialist talk?

[JanMichael]

Ok, I know, I'm a non-believer of the first magnitude but what about this Amos character. What's his story?

This probably isn't a good question for the NT types but it looks good to hit the Bushites with, they seem heavy into the OT.

Leave it to Cliff Notes..."While in the cities, Amos was deeply troubled not only by the contrast between the rich and the poor but by the way in which the political and religious leaders tried to justify this disparity."

(Amos 4:1 NASB) "Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, "Bring now, that we may drink!""

(Amos 5:11-12 NASB) "Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor And exact a tribute of grain from them, Though you have built houses of well-hewn stone, Yet you will not live in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine. <12> For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, You who distress the righteous and accept bribes, And turn aside the poor in the gate."

(Amos 8:4-6 NASB) "Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land, <5> saying, "When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, <6> So as to buy the helpless for money And the needy for a pair of sandals, And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?""


Sounds like Marx could have snipped a few of these lines.

What say you?

I know, that was corny...

[Tanuki]

1. Amos

Don't expect consistency or intellectual honesty from the Bush/Fundamentalist coalition. I say this sadly, as I come from an Evangelical background. The prophecies of Amos are a profound exhortation to social justice, relief of oppression, and turning away from greed. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously quoted from the 5th chapter of Amos in his "Letter from the Birmingham jail": "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

[JanMichael]

2. Really? Dr. King used it? Very cool.

Like I mentioned I'm not religious, I'm a Secular Humanist, but my wife is a theology student. She showed me this Amos character and I was stunned.

There is little in the way of ambiguity in it. I can imagine that some would argue that Amos is attacking the means of ill-gained wealth and not wealth itself. But since one can almost always find some oppresion in the maintenace of great wealth...

[JanMichael]

3. Whoops. Welcome to DU!

I'm on my way to bed and didn't notice that you're a newcomer post count wise.

[camero]

4. Isaiah does the same thing

There are a few verses that say exactly what was said in Amos. Genesis too. Cain asking if he was his brother's keeper.

Fundies only pick the part of the Bible that they think agrees with their hate.

[JanMichael]

5. Why don't your average churchgoers pick up on it?

I don't mean a few. I mean like ALL of the ones that actually take the time to read the thing!

At the very least it ought to raise some serious questions about how America works.

[camero]

6. Most churchgoers don't take the time to read

They only read the parts laid out in a sermon. Then they don't have to think.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. There's lots of socialist type scripture in the Bible. (see my site)

[xray s]

8. Does this sound familiar?

Acts I 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

4:33 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

4:34 For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

4:35 and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.

[Merlin]

9. This is NOT socialist talk.

This is the kind of appeal to social justice that ought to characterize any society, including our own.

There is no reason to demand equality of economic outcomes among all in order to prevent poverty and despair. The Democratic Party has long stood for bringing social justice to our society through a whole variety of non-socialistic, free-enterprise, albeit government-dictated initiatives.

Having said that, I completely agree that we Democrats MUST begin to bring out these demands for social justice found throughout both the OT and NT. Jesus entire message--prior to its warpage by Christian apologists--is precisely that: social justice, hope, care for the least among us.

It is good to see JK picking up on these themes. I hope he continues with it. I am sick and tired of the right wing distorting the message of Jesus.