St. John, private property, and the Parable of the Wolf and the Good Shepherd (2ndC AD)
About this Quotation:
Scattered among the parables of the Christian Bible are many sound economic lessons gleaned from centuries of historical practice. In this parable John tells us about the junior employees who have no economic stake in the protection of the capital accumulated over time. When threatened by the appearance of the wolf the “employed” shepherd runs off leaving the flock (the invested capital) exposed to attack. Only the owner of the capital has a real economic interest in protecting that capital investment. Is this what Max Weber called the “Protestant work ethic”, or is it a universal truth applicable to all societies at all times?
Other quotes from this week:
- 2008: Alexander Hamilton denounces the British for imposing “oppressive taxes” on the colonists which amount to tyranny, a form of slavery, and vassalage to the Empire (1774)
- 2007: Augustin Thierry laments that the steady growth of liberty in France had been disrupted by the cataclysm of the French Revolution (1859)
- 2006: John Millar argues that as a society becomes wealthier domestic freedom increases, even to the point where slavery is thought to be pernicious and economically inefficient (1771)
- 2005: Wilhelm von Humboldt argued that freedom was the “Grand and Indispensable Condition” (1792)
- 2004: Jean Barbeyrac on the Virtues which all free Men should have (1718)
Other quotes about Religion & Toleration:
- 2009: Noah Webster on the resilience of common religious practices in the face of attempts by the state to radically change them (1794)
- 2009: David Hume argues that “love of liberty” in some individuals often attracts the religious inquisitor to persecute them and thereby drive society into a state of “ignorance, corruption, and bondage” (1757)
- 2008: John Locke believed that the magistrate should not punish sin but only violations of natural rights and public peace (1689)
- 2008: Job rightly wants to know why he, “the just upright man is laughed to scorn” while robbers prosper (6thC BC)
- 2008: William Findlay wants to maintain the separation of church and state and therefore sees no role for the “ecclesiastical branch” in government (1812)
- 2006: In Ecclesiastes there is the call to plant, to love, to live, and to work and then to enjoy the fruits of all one’s labors (3rdC BC)
- 2006: Pierre Bayle begins his defence of religious toleration with this appeal that the light of nature, or Reason, should be used to settle religious differences and not coercion (1708)
- 2006: Voltaire argued that religious intolerance was against the law of nature and was worse than the “right of the tiger” (1763)
- 2004: Voltaire notes that where Commerce and Toleration predominate, a Multiplicity of Faiths can live together in Peace and Happiness (1764)
- 2004: Samuel warns his people that if they desire a King they will inevitably have conscription, requisitioning of their property, and taxation (7th century BC)
- 2004: The Prophet Isaiah urges the people to “beat their swords into plowshares” and learn war no more (700s BC)
- 2004: The Psalmist laments that he lives in a Society which “hateth peace” and cries out “I am for peace: but when I speak they are for war” (1000 BC)
27 July, 2009
 | St. John, private property, and the Parable of the Wolf and the Good Shepherd (2ndC AD) |
In the Gospel of St. John there is related a parable by Jesus about the wolf and the good shepherd. (10: 7-14). Only a property owner truly cares for his property and does what is necessary to protect it:
11- I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12- But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13- The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14- I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
The full passage from which this quotation was taken can be be viewed below (front page quote in bold):
7- Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8- All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9- I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10- The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11- I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12- But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13- The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14- I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.