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Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider
Book by Chilton, David
439 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
15 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
David H. Chilton
11 books31 followersDavid Harold Chilton (1951–1997) was a Reformed pastor, Christian Reconstructionist, speaker, and author of several books on economics, eschatology and Christian Worldview from Placerville, California. He contributed three books on eschatology: Paradise Restored (1985), The Days of Vengeance (1987), and The Great Tribulation (1987).
His book Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider (1981) was a response to Ronald J. Sider's best-selling book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: A Biblical Study (1977), which promoted various programs of wealth redistribution by the government. Chilton argued that the Bible either does not authorize such programs or explicitly teaches against them.
His book Power in the Blood: A Christian Response to AIDS (1987) was primarily dealing with the Church's relationship with the world.
David Chilton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1951. At the age of one, he moved with his Christian missionary parents to the Philippines. At the age of 8, the family returned to the United States where his father became a pastor in Southern California. Growing up in California in the 1970s youth movement and hippie culture, he experienced a conversion to Christianity while listening to a missionary speak at his father's church. He began reading the Bible and teaching Bible studies. The young Chilton consequently became deeply involved in the nascent Jesus People movement, and started a singing group with his sister Jayn and some friends called The Children of Light. He frequently spoke, performed music, and taught Bible studies at Christian coffeehouses in Los Angeles, California region. He was ordained in the Jesus People Movement by Pat Boone.
Chilton came to prominence as a writer for the Chalcedon Report edited by R.J. Rushdoony after a Christian friend recommended one of Rushdoony's books. At the same time, Chilton discovered the writings of the Puritans, and was exposed for the first time to Reformed theology as a result of reading these books, and to the doctrines of predestination, election, and perseverance of the saints. After meeting Rushdoony, Chilton was asked to write a monthly column for Chalcedon Report while alternating speaking for Dr. Rushdoony at his church in Hollywood (which was affiliated with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church) while pastoring a church in Anaheim, California. At this time Chilton was also influenced by fellow Christian Reconstructionists Greg Bahnsen and James B. Jordan. He married his wife, Darlene, and had 3 children, Nathan, Jacob, and Abigail.
In 1981, after several years of pastoring in Anaheim, Chilton wrote his first book, Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider over the course of a month with a pencil and paper at a coffeehouse. Not long after the completion of the book, he moved to Placerville, CA to pastor a church for a year, during which he wrote a newsletter for Christian teachers and homeschoolers called The Biblical Educator. Chilton also used his influence to help launch World Magazine with Joel Belz and wrote a monthly column for the publication for years, which was very popular.
Although Chilton loved the people of Placerville and did not want to leave, he accepted a job offer from prominent Reconstructionist (and Rushdoony son-in-law) Gary North as a research assistant at The Institute for Christian Economics in Tyler, Texas. It was during his three year stay in Texas that North commissioned Chilton to write his two books for North's imprint Dominion Press: Paradise Restored and Days of Vengeance.
In 1986 Chilton accepted an offer to return to Placerville to pastor the church there. He continued to work in pastoral ministry, speak at conferences, write a weekly column for The Sacramento Union newspaper, was counsel for The Fieldstead Co. at an economic conference in Switzerland and wro
His book Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider (1981) was a response to Ronald J. Sider's best-selling book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: A Biblical Study (1977), which promoted various programs of wealth redistribution by the government. Chilton argued that the Bible either does not authorize such programs or explicitly teaches against them.
His book Power in the Blood: A Christian Response to AIDS (1987) was primarily dealing with the Church's relationship with the world.
David Chilton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1951. At the age of one, he moved with his Christian missionary parents to the Philippines. At the age of 8, the family returned to the United States where his father became a pastor in Southern California. Growing up in California in the 1970s youth movement and hippie culture, he experienced a conversion to Christianity while listening to a missionary speak at his father's church. He began reading the Bible and teaching Bible studies. The young Chilton consequently became deeply involved in the nascent Jesus People movement, and started a singing group with his sister Jayn and some friends called The Children of Light. He frequently spoke, performed music, and taught Bible studies at Christian coffeehouses in Los Angeles, California region. He was ordained in the Jesus People Movement by Pat Boone.
Chilton came to prominence as a writer for the Chalcedon Report edited by R.J. Rushdoony after a Christian friend recommended one of Rushdoony's books. At the same time, Chilton discovered the writings of the Puritans, and was exposed for the first time to Reformed theology as a result of reading these books, and to the doctrines of predestination, election, and perseverance of the saints. After meeting Rushdoony, Chilton was asked to write a monthly column for Chalcedon Report while alternating speaking for Dr. Rushdoony at his church in Hollywood (which was affiliated with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church) while pastoring a church in Anaheim, California. At this time Chilton was also influenced by fellow Christian Reconstructionists Greg Bahnsen and James B. Jordan. He married his wife, Darlene, and had 3 children, Nathan, Jacob, and Abigail.
In 1981, after several years of pastoring in Anaheim, Chilton wrote his first book, Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider over the course of a month with a pencil and paper at a coffeehouse. Not long after the completion of the book, he moved to Placerville, CA to pastor a church for a year, during which he wrote a newsletter for Christian teachers and homeschoolers called The Biblical Educator. Chilton also used his influence to help launch World Magazine with Joel Belz and wrote a monthly column for the publication for years, which was very popular.
Although Chilton loved the people of Placerville and did not want to leave, he accepted a job offer from prominent Reconstructionist (and Rushdoony son-in-law) Gary North as a research assistant at The Institute for Christian Economics in Tyler, Texas. It was during his three year stay in Texas that North commissioned Chilton to write his two books for North's imprint Dominion Press: Paradise Restored and Days of Vengeance.
In 1986 Chilton accepted an offer to return to Placerville to pastor the church there. He continued to work in pastoral ministry, speak at conferences, write a weekly column for The Sacramento Union newspaper, was counsel for The Fieldstead Co. at an economic conference in Switzerland and wro
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October 5, 2017
I read this book the first time five years ago. I did so then because I wanted to understand market economics from a biblical perspective and to respond to the Socialism being taught at my college. I read it the second time this year because it is funny. How to begin? A few caveats: 1) while defending much of the market and quoting Austrian sources, Chilton realizes where to draw the line. The Reformed tradition (WLC question on 8th commandment condemns usury) is anti-socialist but not Libertarian.
Ron Sider wrote his book to justify armed theft of the godly man's property and wealth. Chilton did the church a favor by burying Sider's thesis. Sider changed his argument several times, updating the editions to the book. His most recent edition dropped much of the Marxism. Sider has since given interviews admitting he took a wrong direction. All of these changes can be traced to Chilton.
Chilton begins his critique by noting how Sider claims the Bible only speaks in "vague generalities" regarding economics, never specifics. Translated: I can make the Bible say what I want (which in this case means confiscating Middle Class Man's wealth). God's law is quite specific on economics.
God's law reconstructs poverty. It proves for a work-related welfare system. The poor works and gets free stuff, basically. Granted, it is a hard existence but this encourages the godly poor man to get back on his feet while never kicking him when he is down. Sider, on the other hand, wants a perpetual welfare sytem which condemns the poor man to multi-generational poverty.
The funniest chapter is the one tackling Sider's liberation theology. The Exodus event is God's saving of *his* people, not the poor in general. Further, if we are going to use "vague generalities" as templates with the Exodus event as a model (we assume that Sider means by this event God sanctions taking people's stuff and giving it to poor people). If that's the case, then the Canaanite genocide is also a fair template.
Chilton's thesis is essentially this: God promises to destroy nations who spurn his law. Minor premise: God's law says stuff about economics; ergo...
If the laws of supply and demand are disregarded, and the state enacts rent-controls, price-ceilings, minimum wage laws and the like, the costs of living goes up and the poor suffers. Further, and this insight was simply amazing, in the context of the State determining what goods must be made at what price, rather than the market's determination, the result is gluts and shortages in the market. When a natural disaster happens at this moment, famines become catastrophes. Interestingly, this has never happened in Protestant countries. It happens routinely in socialist countries. God promises to destroy those nations who spurn his laws.
Contra Mises.org, the market is not God. The Reformed confessions provide a sane and humane template in which the market can work and better the lives of the poor. Leftist economics can never do this.
Ron Sider wrote his book to justify armed theft of the godly man's property and wealth. Chilton did the church a favor by burying Sider's thesis. Sider changed his argument several times, updating the editions to the book. His most recent edition dropped much of the Marxism. Sider has since given interviews admitting he took a wrong direction. All of these changes can be traced to Chilton.
Chilton begins his critique by noting how Sider claims the Bible only speaks in "vague generalities" regarding economics, never specifics. Translated: I can make the Bible say what I want (which in this case means confiscating Middle Class Man's wealth). God's law is quite specific on economics.
God's law reconstructs poverty. It proves for a work-related welfare system. The poor works and gets free stuff, basically. Granted, it is a hard existence but this encourages the godly poor man to get back on his feet while never kicking him when he is down. Sider, on the other hand, wants a perpetual welfare sytem which condemns the poor man to multi-generational poverty.
The funniest chapter is the one tackling Sider's liberation theology. The Exodus event is God's saving of *his* people, not the poor in general. Further, if we are going to use "vague generalities" as templates with the Exodus event as a model (we assume that Sider means by this event God sanctions taking people's stuff and giving it to poor people). If that's the case, then the Canaanite genocide is also a fair template.
Chilton's thesis is essentially this: God promises to destroy nations who spurn his law. Minor premise: God's law says stuff about economics; ergo...
If the laws of supply and demand are disregarded, and the state enacts rent-controls, price-ceilings, minimum wage laws and the like, the costs of living goes up and the poor suffers. Further, and this insight was simply amazing, in the context of the State determining what goods must be made at what price, rather than the market's determination, the result is gluts and shortages in the market. When a natural disaster happens at this moment, famines become catastrophes. Interestingly, this has never happened in Protestant countries. It happens routinely in socialist countries. God promises to destroy those nations who spurn his laws.
Contra Mises.org, the market is not God. The Reformed confessions provide a sane and humane template in which the market can work and better the lives of the poor. Leftist economics can never do this.
January 29, 2019
Solid and well-crafted rebuttals to Ronald Sider's propagating of socialism. It's uncanny how a book that was written in 1981 remains so incredibly relevant, even in 2019. Definitely recommend.
November 17, 2022
Just a really good response to the idea that Jesus was a socialist and that Christianity and socialism can coexist. Sider's book arguing that the socialist agenda can overlap with the agenda of Christianity was very popular and became a bestseller. This critique/response shows why that should have never been the case. Economics at their root are studies in morality. You can't divorce the two.
May 16, 2016
This is a manifesto for a biblical perspective on wealth, economics, labor, dominion, and law. It is also one of the best books you'll read on any of those topics. That this was originally penned as a response to Ronald Sider's book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger has likely pigeon-holed this book in ways that have limited its influence and appeal.
Having read Chilton's works on eschatology and loved them, even I was reluctant to pick this up. But oh, how mistaken I was. This is a marvelous book that should be mandatory reading at all seminaries.
Chilton's arguments absolutely demolish Sider's and the fact that his book is still in print shows that this book has missed too many readers, or the bias of those unwilling to actually interact with the Bible on the subject. In fact, that is one of the marvelous things in this book--Chilton sees why so many ignore him, and others that have written books along the same lines. The problem is that too many people just write off what the Bible actually says about economics. They argue it is largely silent on the matter, and then just ignore its teachings, come up with their own that are in the "spirit" of the Bible, and voila--man is wiser than God!
There are even those that acknowledge that the Bible does speak to these matters, but argue we shouldn't impose the Bible's teachings on them on the world! He calls out Michael Novak specifically and says:
"Novak goes on to tell us that ‘Christian symbols [i.e., standards] ought not to be placed in the center of a pluralistic society. They must not be, out of reverence for the transcendent which others approach in other ways.’ Yes, but what about the fact that Christianity happens to be true? Where did Novak’s ‘ought not’ and ‘must not’ come from? Says who? How can any Christian have reverence for some ‘transcendent’ something-or-other (i.e., a false god) ‘which others approach in other ways’? ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,’ the Lord thundered from Sinai (Exodous 20:2). Let’s face facts, comrades: God just doesn’t like pluralism. He certainly did not encourage reverence for the ‘transcendent’ golden calf (Exodus 32), or the ‘transcendent’ gods of the Caananites (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 12:1-3; 13:1-18; 17:2-7); in fact, what the Caananites called transcendent, god called abomination (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)."
This is essentially the bargain that we have made. Christians have conceded ground in the public square to secularists who have convinced us that we live in a pluralistic society. What we didn't consider is that a pluralistic society is an idolatrous society--having abandoned God's standards for those of the masses. This tradeoff is at the heart of the failure of Christians to be salt and light in western nations. We have rejected God's laws for man's, and now we are unable to consider what God has called us to. We have hardened our hearts and persist in our unbelief by denying that the Bible (and God!) have anything to say about all civil and economic matters.
I regret I don't have time to fully engage with the book, but I commend it to all readers. It is one of the best.
Having read Chilton's works on eschatology and loved them, even I was reluctant to pick this up. But oh, how mistaken I was. This is a marvelous book that should be mandatory reading at all seminaries.
Chilton's arguments absolutely demolish Sider's and the fact that his book is still in print shows that this book has missed too many readers, or the bias of those unwilling to actually interact with the Bible on the subject. In fact, that is one of the marvelous things in this book--Chilton sees why so many ignore him, and others that have written books along the same lines. The problem is that too many people just write off what the Bible actually says about economics. They argue it is largely silent on the matter, and then just ignore its teachings, come up with their own that are in the "spirit" of the Bible, and voila--man is wiser than God!
There are even those that acknowledge that the Bible does speak to these matters, but argue we shouldn't impose the Bible's teachings on them on the world! He calls out Michael Novak specifically and says:
"Novak goes on to tell us that ‘Christian symbols [i.e., standards] ought not to be placed in the center of a pluralistic society. They must not be, out of reverence for the transcendent which others approach in other ways.’ Yes, but what about the fact that Christianity happens to be true? Where did Novak’s ‘ought not’ and ‘must not’ come from? Says who? How can any Christian have reverence for some ‘transcendent’ something-or-other (i.e., a false god) ‘which others approach in other ways’? ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,’ the Lord thundered from Sinai (Exodous 20:2). Let’s face facts, comrades: God just doesn’t like pluralism. He certainly did not encourage reverence for the ‘transcendent’ golden calf (Exodus 32), or the ‘transcendent’ gods of the Caananites (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 12:1-3; 13:1-18; 17:2-7); in fact, what the Caananites called transcendent, god called abomination (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)."
This is essentially the bargain that we have made. Christians have conceded ground in the public square to secularists who have convinced us that we live in a pluralistic society. What we didn't consider is that a pluralistic society is an idolatrous society--having abandoned God's standards for those of the masses. This tradeoff is at the heart of the failure of Christians to be salt and light in western nations. We have rejected God's laws for man's, and now we are unable to consider what God has called us to. We have hardened our hearts and persist in our unbelief by denying that the Bible (and God!) have anything to say about all civil and economic matters.
I regret I don't have time to fully engage with the book, but I commend it to all readers. It is one of the best.
May 30, 2009
Excellent.
June 19, 2020
You would never guess this book was written in the 80s. It equips the saints to think biblically and stay vigilant against various “Christian” forms of socialism and to build up their families, towns and churches with god ordained hard work!
October 20, 2020
A very detailed analysis of "Christian" socialism.
December 14, 2025
Chilton offers an extensive critique of Ronald Sider’s endorsement of Christian Socialism. Chilton’s response covers many aspects of biblical law in order to demonstrate that free-market capitalism most closely follows biblical standards.
Since Chilton’s argument hinges on a general-equity theonomic reading of the OT civil and moral laws, those who hold different readings of the current use of OT law will struggle.
Overall I thought it was an encouraging book, informing my economic and political thought, as well as stirring my zeal for evangelism. For, as Chilton argues, poverty can only be abolished through evangelism and discipleship of the nations.
Since Chilton’s argument hinges on a general-equity theonomic reading of the OT civil and moral laws, those who hold different readings of the current use of OT law will struggle.
Overall I thought it was an encouraging book, informing my economic and political thought, as well as stirring my zeal for evangelism. For, as Chilton argues, poverty can only be abolished through evangelism and discipleship of the nations.
October 7, 2020
Really great book. He thoroughly responds to Christian socialist, Ron Sider, and tears apart the socialistic worldview. In addition to a dismantling of the socialist position, he offers alternatives based on Scripture and not humanistic philosophies. This book is great even if just for the response to poverty. Highly recommend.
May 13, 2013
This week I picked up a book recommendation I heard a while ago during a sermon by Joseph Morecraft in his Proverbs series. The author is the late David Chilton whose works I’m greatly indebted to and his keen insight on economics, theology and eschatology have tremendously helped shape many of my beliefs. The title is “Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt Manipulators” a biblical response to a “christian scoialist” named Ronald Sider.
This book of was written in 1981 as a critique of Sider’s book “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” which was embedded with scoialistic dogma and guilt manipulating. Chilton manages to go through all the arguments by Sider and critique them in a biblical, gentle and many times comical way.
Chilton starts off the main chunk of his book by laying down the biblical model of economics while responding to some of Sider’s points.
He defines capitalism firstly as someone investing capital in business and secondly a belief in the free-market. This he insists will only be a blessing to us if and only if we are obedient to God’s law. The more we conform to the teaching of God’s law the more blessing will we incur both individually and corporately.
He further goes through immigration laws and what the biblical solution is…loans, usury and charity, foreign aid, tariffs, advertising, slavery and comparison of worldviews, namely that of Christianity and Hinduism, wherein the former has a progressive linear outlook to life and the latter a cyclical one and sets out to prove that that is the reason why the West is prosperous while the East is held back and dwarfed. c,s,d
On pg. 103 he humorously yet truly defines Sider’s economic position as “Tender-Hearted-Elimination-of-Free-Trade” aka THEFT aka socialism.
On pg. 263 he quotes Schumpeter who defines socialism thus, “that organization of society in which the means of production are controlled, and the decision on how and what to produce and on who is to get what, are made by public authority instead of by privately-owned and privately-managed firms.”
All in all this book is another must read for a thoroughly Christians outlook to economics and a scholarly work at that. The book is 400 pages depending on if you read the glossary or not. Take a week or two to finish this as it is a very important read, and I promise you that it won’t be boring as Chilton is a brilliant and humorous writer.
I gave this book a 5/5 stars!
This book of was written in 1981 as a critique of Sider’s book “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” which was embedded with scoialistic dogma and guilt manipulating. Chilton manages to go through all the arguments by Sider and critique them in a biblical, gentle and many times comical way.
Chilton starts off the main chunk of his book by laying down the biblical model of economics while responding to some of Sider’s points.
He defines capitalism firstly as someone investing capital in business and secondly a belief in the free-market. This he insists will only be a blessing to us if and only if we are obedient to God’s law. The more we conform to the teaching of God’s law the more blessing will we incur both individually and corporately.
He further goes through immigration laws and what the biblical solution is…loans, usury and charity, foreign aid, tariffs, advertising, slavery and comparison of worldviews, namely that of Christianity and Hinduism, wherein the former has a progressive linear outlook to life and the latter a cyclical one and sets out to prove that that is the reason why the West is prosperous while the East is held back and dwarfed. c,s,d
On pg. 103 he humorously yet truly defines Sider’s economic position as “Tender-Hearted-Elimination-of-Free-Trade” aka THEFT aka socialism.
On pg. 263 he quotes Schumpeter who defines socialism thus, “that organization of society in which the means of production are controlled, and the decision on how and what to produce and on who is to get what, are made by public authority instead of by privately-owned and privately-managed firms.”
All in all this book is another must read for a thoroughly Christians outlook to economics and a scholarly work at that. The book is 400 pages depending on if you read the glossary or not. Take a week or two to finish this as it is a very important read, and I promise you that it won’t be boring as Chilton is a brilliant and humorous writer.
I gave this book a 5/5 stars!
June 25, 2021
A very necessary counterstrike against Ron Sider's idea of state-controlled solutions to poverty. It pretty much obliterates Sider's views and the views of most statists today and, I might add, the Social Justice Movement. This book is full of economic wisdom and the connection of the Bible with free market ideas. Two things kept me from giving the book 5 stars. 1) The tone of the writer is unnecessarily belligerent and derisive to Sider and those like him. The book could have been more effective and persuasive if it simply laid out the facts and the disastrous conclusions of Sider.
2) Many, including me, can't swallow biblically the ideas of theonomy and postmillenial optimism that undergirds Chilton's views. Again, he could have persuaded a much broader audience if he hadn't interweaved these views throughout the book. It's not necessary to hold to theonomy (the idea that all Old Testament law, except ceremonial law, should be applied to society today) to see the fallacy of Sider's views. Neither do we need to hold to postmillenialism, the idea that believers in Christ will usher in God's reign on earth. I do understand that Chilton is convinced all these ideas are interrelated and necessary. Again, there is enough evidence in the Bible and economics to indicate that Sider's socialistic views are wrong and won't do anything to alleviate poverty in the world.
It is really unfortunate that Sider didn't respond to Chilton in any of his later editions to his book. One can guess many reasons but most would say it was unprofessional and cowardly.
2) Many, including me, can't swallow biblically the ideas of theonomy and postmillenial optimism that undergirds Chilton's views. Again, he could have persuaded a much broader audience if he hadn't interweaved these views throughout the book. It's not necessary to hold to theonomy (the idea that all Old Testament law, except ceremonial law, should be applied to society today) to see the fallacy of Sider's views. Neither do we need to hold to postmillenialism, the idea that believers in Christ will usher in God's reign on earth. I do understand that Chilton is convinced all these ideas are interrelated and necessary. Again, there is enough evidence in the Bible and economics to indicate that Sider's socialistic views are wrong and won't do anything to alleviate poverty in the world.
It is really unfortunate that Sider didn't respond to Chilton in any of his later editions to his book. One can guess many reasons but most would say it was unprofessional and cowardly.
March 9, 2015
This is outstanding (especially in saying it was written in only 6 months!). Gives a thoroughly Biblical perspective on economics and poverty. Shows what really is at stake today as our governments sinfully take over more and more of the market, eliminating man's God-given responsibility to fulfil the dominion mandate and work wholeheartedly for the glory of God and the blessing of their nation. Chilton has a great sense of humour, which makes it so enjoyable to read! The glossary at the back also really helpful.
June 19, 2022
This was a refreshing read, even 4 decades after its publication. If you are looking for "collegiality" in this response to Sider's Rich Christians, you will be disappointed. Rather, Chilton exposes Sider's tactics of twisting Scripture to justify class-conscious revolutions around the globe, capitalizing effectively on the false-guilt in North American Christians to drive home his proposals. Sider's self-flagellating ethos is just as in vogue among evangelicals today as it was in the late 70's, perhaps more so. Chilton provides an effective antidote (there are parallel lessons here for contemporary false guilt associated with critical theory and intersectionality).
Beyond showing how Sider sacrifices explicit biblical teaching on the altar of his "broad biblical principles" extracted from their context and filled with his own liberationist blueprints, Chilton also demonstrates the destructiveness of his Sider's proposed legislation. He makes great use of the works of Ludwig von Mises, Murray Rothbard, Charles Murray, and (previously unknown to me) Lord P.T. Bauer, all of whom have completely delegitimized the socialist model of polity as based on a foundation of envy and inescapably leading to the crippling of productivity.
Beyond showing how Sider sacrifices explicit biblical teaching on the altar of his "broad biblical principles" extracted from their context and filled with his own liberationist blueprints, Chilton also demonstrates the destructiveness of his Sider's proposed legislation. He makes great use of the works of Ludwig von Mises, Murray Rothbard, Charles Murray, and (previously unknown to me) Lord P.T. Bauer, all of whom have completely delegitimized the socialist model of polity as based on a foundation of envy and inescapably leading to the crippling of productivity.
June 22, 2020
When I started preaching on College and University campi, back in 1982, I marvelled as to why I was running across so many "Christian socialists."
After reading this book I knew why that was so. Ronald Sider's book was published by Intervarsity Press. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship had quite a large presence on American colleges and universities back in the 80s and 90s.
Intervarsity even had their own full time campus evangelist, Cliffe Knechtle. Cliffe centered his outdoor campus presentations on Christian apologetics.
Every Intervarsity campus leader that I spoke with had a highly favorable view of Sider's work. I made it my mission to introduce them to Chilton's rebuttal. In the outset of my mission, no one was aware of Chilton's rebuttal.
I was met with various reactions to the new information that I was presenting. As with most human reactions to new and oftentimes contradictory information, the reactions ranged from genuine interest to learn to cultic, ardent denial and refusal to investigate countering view points.
Chilton's work is a needed weapon in every age as it is predicated on God's Holy Word.
After reading this book I knew why that was so. Ronald Sider's book was published by Intervarsity Press. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship had quite a large presence on American colleges and universities back in the 80s and 90s.
Intervarsity even had their own full time campus evangelist, Cliffe Knechtle. Cliffe centered his outdoor campus presentations on Christian apologetics.
Every Intervarsity campus leader that I spoke with had a highly favorable view of Sider's work. I made it my mission to introduce them to Chilton's rebuttal. In the outset of my mission, no one was aware of Chilton's rebuttal.
I was met with various reactions to the new information that I was presenting. As with most human reactions to new and oftentimes contradictory information, the reactions ranged from genuine interest to learn to cultic, ardent denial and refusal to investigate countering view points.
Chilton's work is a needed weapon in every age as it is predicated on God's Holy Word.
November 8, 2016
This book was an excellent introduction to a biblical view of the market system. It not only clearly laid principles for a prosperous economy, but how sinning against God's Law is retards economies. The solution is essentially threefold:
1.) Regeneration through the Gospel and Continual Discipleship
2.) To repent of sinful economic procedures, especially those that hurt the poor (unbiased welfare, tariffs, fractional banking, etc.)
3.) Build the markets upon the Law of God
Chiefly, this book is a critique of Ronald Sider's socialistic propaganda in the eighties.
1.) Regeneration through the Gospel and Continual Discipleship
2.) To repent of sinful economic procedures, especially those that hurt the poor (unbiased welfare, tariffs, fractional banking, etc.)
3.) Build the markets upon the Law of God
Chiefly, this book is a critique of Ronald Sider's socialistic propaganda in the eighties.
November 8, 2017
Courageous defense of Scripture and a zealous attack on the poverty mentality, socialism, and social justice warriors. Chilton reminds us that God's Kingdom is always advancing, and therefore we Christians are to be on the offensive in the world.
I like reading an author that does not mince words. Chilton doesn't soft-step around the sacred cows of the current PC regime. Rigorously defends his claims throughout using Scripture.
I found a free PDF of the book via Gary North's website.
I like reading an author that does not mince words. Chilton doesn't soft-step around the sacred cows of the current PC regime. Rigorously defends his claims throughout using Scripture.
I found a free PDF of the book via Gary North's website.
April 29, 2019
Really quite good. It’s a bummer that this book won’t have a wider readership. It’s somewhat of an older, niche book, but the topics are still broadly relevant. While some parts of the book are sure to ruffle some feathers, it’s a great primer on biblical law, Christian economics, and how those topics affect how we should respond to the poor.
October 20, 2021
Absolutely fantastic!!
It is most shocking that this book was written 40 years ago! I had no familiarity with the book it was critiquing, however that made little difference as the concepts from that book (Rich Christians in and Age of Hunger) are ripe throughout our society and in various forms and fashions in almost every church I have ever attended.
It is most shocking that this book was written 40 years ago! I had no familiarity with the book it was critiquing, however that made little difference as the concepts from that book (Rich Christians in and Age of Hunger) are ripe throughout our society and in various forms and fashions in almost every church I have ever attended.
September 21, 2022
This is a fantastic critique of Ron Sider's book. As a critique of Evangelical socialism, I love it and found it helpful for myself and a lot of ideas floating about. But it also contains the author's theonomic vision which I remain unpersuaded of. So, when it is good and on point it is an easy five star book. But too much of it involves Chilton's own view of which I disagree with.
June 29, 2021
One of the best books I've ever read. His biblical analysis and argumentation on justice, economics, politics, and much more, was truly mind blowing. I have not encountered many of his arguments before and I'm really happy now that I have. I will return to this one again!
December 13, 2017
This was an excellent refutation of the proposition that socialism has any Biblical support whatsoever. As relevant today as it was when first written.
November 15, 2019
Written in the 1980’s to combat a particular person’s work, this book remains relevant heading into the 2020’s.
April 12, 2020
This is my favorite recommendation on economics and worldview.
October 1, 2021
Expose on the communist agenda influencing the Western churches...this is a must read
October 8, 2021
An absolute savaging of the attempts of Ron Sider's attempt to argue for a Christian socialism and associated statism.
March 7, 2023
Good stuff! Although it’s dated, Chilton’s arguments still apply today.
March 16, 2023
I highly recommend reading this book. It is available as a free download. If it were available for purchase, I would buy it for all my family and friends.
August 20, 2023
Excellent biblical rebuttal of Ron Sider's book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger.
August 18, 2024
Excellent. Demonstrates the biblical and economic anathema of socialism.
October 14, 2024
Excellent
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