Torch, Summer 1996

and the failure of communism. political freedom guaranteed to us treatise , which outlines the basic Hong Kong, a tiny oasis of by our Constitution, free tenets of capitalism, declares that I freedom, has prospered while the enterprise is the least understood. an "invisible hand" puts together vast Chinese nation languishes in Whether we call it free enterprise, the efforts of individuals working poverty. Sir John Cowperthwaite, the free market, or capitalism, it in their own self-interest, resulting Hong Kong's financial secretary simply means that men are free to in the best interest of the whole. during the 1960s, argues that "in produce. They are free to As Adam Smith recognized the the long run, the aggregate discover, to invent, to experiment, mysterious force of the market- decisions of individual to succeed , to fail, to create place , Christians realize the hand businessmen, exercising their means of production, to exchange of God in every aspect of life . individual judgment in a free goods and services, to profit, to Morality is foundational to economy, even if often mistaken, capitalism. In his article, "Our is less likely to do harm than the Personal Ethical Foundations," Edward centralized decisions of a McCracken writes, "While many government." lreedo•, different political and religious Recent capitalistic experiments beliefs were espoused by the within mainland China prove his [American] immigrants, their point. Joseph Kahn, writing for national basic beliefs came from the Judeo- The Wall Street Journal in July Christian background where there 1995, notes, "Entrepreneurs and lreedo•, was a considerable amount of small enterprises now produce agreement on ethics." more goods, employ more and Interesting similarities exist workers, and trade more abroad between free enterprise and than the stagnant state sector.. .. econo•ic religious expression in America. Last year, while the state sector As Americans, we prize the sputtered along with little real lreedo• freedom to choose our place of growth, companies without state work as well as worship the God ownership extended their output all return of our choice . We value the right at a whirlwind rate of 24%." to earn a salary and enjoy the In an address at Hillsdale privilege of giving to the charity College, Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. toa of our choice. observed, " .. .the most Private ownership is the main revolutionary sweeping agent of creator tenet of a free-market economy. change is capitalism....When The religious expression of giving people are free to make their own God ••• to others presupposes ownership. decisions, they have a stake in the And among the Ten Command- economy; and when they have a ments, the seventh prohibits stake in the economy, they have a consume, all on a voluntary basis stealing the private property of stake in serving others; and when without significant interference others. they have a stake in serving by the policing powers of the Personal freedom, national others, they have a stake in state ." freedom, and economic freedom fighting for freedom ." Free enterprise is the American all return to a creator God who Robert A. Stranahan was the way. Perfect? No! Anything in made man in His own image. In chairman of the board and former the hands of fallen man is flawed. the Genesis mandate, chapter one president of the Champion Spark Yet, I believe it remains the and verses 27 and 28, God Plug Company. He was a true closest system to biblical created, God blessed, and God friend and advocate for principles . commanded man to be fruitful and Cedarville College and a In 1776, the year our subdue His created earth. Jesus champion of free enterprise. He Declaration of Independence was Christ said the great command- once wrote in a previous TORCH drafted, Adam Smith published ment is really to love God and to issue: "Of all the aspects of his Wealth ofNations. This love your neighbor as yourself. Torch 11