Despite all the debating and politicking over the future of the American economy, hardly anybody seems to be asking the famed, and often parodied, question What Would Jesus Do?  Why does Jesus gets so much press when discussing war, but not when talking about some of his favorite topics like sociology and economics?

I suppose you could say “because America was founded on the separation of church and state so it doesn’t really matter what Jesus would do.”  Good point.  But let’s face it, that hasn’t stopped us from invoking Jesus on virtually every other issue of the public sector.  I suspect the real reason is because nobody really knows on which side of the debate Jesus would come down.

On the one hand, he would almost certainly oppose a system like socialism that gives ultimate authority to a secular power like a government.  The only time he really talks about the role of government is when he’s asked about paying Roman taxes.  His response “give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” sounds like he thinks government is merely something to be tolerated, but definitely not something we should put much faith in.

On the other hand, he makes it pretty clear that wealth is to be shared and even, dare I say, redistributed.  He is also clear about giving to those in need–whether financially, spiritually or medically–regardless of what they can afford, what they’ve earned or whether they’ve wronged us somehow.  Despite the protestant work ethic and contrary to the popular maxim, he never says anything resembling “God helps those who help themselves…and everybody else is shit outta luck.”

So which is he then? Socialist or capitalist?

My guess is neither.  Capitalism is too much of a me-first system for the guy who wants us to put others before ourselves.  And socialism is too close to a secular religion that puts a worldly authority over God’s authority.  In truth, Jesus seemed like a pretty apolitical guy.  If we asked him which side we should take on the capitalism vs. socialism debate, I bet he’d tell us we’re asking the wrong question. He’d probably say we should instead ask ourselves “what have you done for your neighbor (and your enemy) lately?”