The Problem of poverty-Abraham Kuyper by Annes Jebasingh

Abraham Kuyper The Problem of poverty

Introduction:

Abraham Kuyper was a Protestant theologian and a Dutch Statesman. He addressed the First Christian Social Congress held in the Netherlands on November 9, 1891 on the problem of Poverty. Later, after a hundred years, James W. Skillen re-edited this dynamic speech and soon it was published as a book. Abraham’s primary focus was upon the persistence of poverty and related issues such as strikes, unemployment, welfare-dependent families, famines and homelessness. The power of Abraham’s thoughts on the problem of poverty comes from “a religiously deep insight into the nature of poverty in societies where “organic” wholeness and differentiated freedoms should stand together in expressing the true nature of human beings as the image of God.” (Pg. 22). He believed in the deep Christian motives for action, expose to false hopes and illusions presented by secular revolutionaries and reformers, and envision a better future secured by repentance and renewal in accord with God’s ordinances of love, mercy, justice and compassion.

Abraham and the Problem of Poverty:

Abraham argues for learning from Jesus and his ways of coping with the evils of his time. Although he did not believe in Jesus as a revolutionary with the intention to reform his society through political means, but Christ has demonstrated the social needs through three areas. The three major ways of Jesus’ ways of ministry to reform the society is: a) Jesus preached against error by presenting truth, and against sin by announcing and realizing his expiatory sacrifice; b) Jesus was able to live up to his convictions being boring in a small stable with no address but associated with

the poor and the needy one. Jesus sent out his disciples without a purse to sever those in need. He spend his time to touch the sick and heal them. Jesus exhorted the poor not to grumble in bitterness nor tremble in fear about food, drink, or clothing; c) Jesus organized his church to continue his work of denouncing sin and announcing the good news of victory in and through Christ.

Abraham believes that Socialism and other world views cannot address the problem of poverty. The principles of socialism operates in a completely different level and represent a total reconstructing of the frame of mind. The followings are the observations Abraham makes: 1) First the replacement of God’s authority by the individual free will; 2) Secondly, the loss of eternal and transcendent dimension of life; 3) Thirdly, the replacement of fullness and the need for conversion by natural human pride; 4) Fourthly, the acceptance of egoism, competition, and a passionate struggle for possessions as a new modus vivend, Superseding Christian compassion; 5) Fifth, the replacement of human dignity proceeding from an organically integrated society under God by self-seeking and self-serving individualism. Further, Abraham insists that Christ must respond to the failures of socialism by acknowledging the problem and marshaling the power of the gospel for the alleviation of poverty.

Abraham suggests four important Christian strategies to overcome the problem of Poverty: 1) First, he says, one must oppose all forms of colonization whether military or economic. Every Christian should oppose all forms of lawlessness. Christians should be able to do it through the ministry of the word. 2) Secondly, the work on the salvation and restoration of the family unit. For Abraham, the family unit is the demonstration of God’s church. Just as the way, Jesus is the head of the church, Jesus is also the head of every family. Hence, he calls for the family unit to demonstrate justice and righteousness to fight against the issue of poverty in the society. 3) Thirdly, one must insist on the dignity of work above the dignity of fame and riches; 4) Fourthly, to support any

government which stands on the side of justice for all. He also calls every Christian to be sensitive to the invitation from the government to stand in solidarity with the poor.

Abraham further said on Jesus and the Christian that “the overthrow of the idol Mammon and the refocusing of life’s purpose from earth to heaven would, alone, have revolutionized popular consciousness. But Jesus didn’t stop there....The first and more important influence was through the ministry of the Word, insofar as the Word constantly fights against lust for money, comforts the poor and oppressed, and points to an endless glory that will be exchanged for the suffering of the present time.” (Pg.40). The Christianity’s second influence was “through an organized ministry of charity, which in the name of the Lord – the single owner of all goods – demands that good be shared so that no man or woman in the circle of believers is allowed to suffer want or go without necessary apparel.” (Pg.40)

The social problems are seen in many ways. The primary issue of social problem is that the balance between the classes are lost. The luxurious life existed alongside the crying poverty. Corruption in the government continued to exist in all forms of the social life. Hence poor become poorer and richer become more rich. Also, the problem of ‘human error and sin’ continued to corrupt the society. Abraham says that “the whole social problem is born of the relationship between human life and the material world that surrounds us.” Hence, the safety of the poor rest in the hands of Christians who could follow the strategies Jesus has set up for his followers. The church is to influence through the ministry of the word, by opposing oppressors and comforting the poor. The church is to be a ministry of charity, as seen most clearly in Acts 2:42-47. And finally, the church was to be an influence through the equality of believers. These three ways of influencing the world are the ways the church is to confront poverty in the world.

Abraham finds solution to the problem of poverty by way of seeing “one should pay attention to the truly wretched condition of the lower classes, especially to the harm which the higher classes through their moral corruption and pseudoscience, have brought about among the people.” (Pg.26). Further he urges one also to try to improve material conditions, the injustice of which multiplies the power of the socialist error. Thereby, one should place on the side of the social movement and against liberalism. Christian also should realize that every property belongs to God. God is the owner of the creation and therefore, He owns every blessing. This self-realization makes one to submit himself to the will of God and share his goodness with the poor and the needy.

Conclusion:

Abraham’s Kupper’s work is a delight to everyone who is committed to social reform and one who seeks solidarity with the poor. His work is also helpful in a classroom context, where discussions on the issue of poverty could be widely discussed and students find motivated to the task of Christian values that support the cause of the poor and reformation. The rhetoric and the theology embedded in the book help fight injustice and marginalization committed against the poor.