Recently I was having a discussion concerning whether a business can be called a "Christian Business". My take on this idea is it depends on what you mean? If you are referring to a business that is operated by the principles outlined in the Bible that is one thing. An Atheist can operate by those principles and many do, but they don't say they operate a Christian Business.
You could also say that you are a Christian and follow Christ in the operation of your business, and seek to find and do his will in your business. In that case I would say you are Christian operating your business, so are a Christian businessperson.
What is clear to me is that a business is not a person, and cannot follow Christ. The people who operate the business can be Christians, (Christ followers) and operate the business aligned with their understanding of the will of Christ.
The business principles found in the Bible are followed all over this country and are also the basis for our laws, and ethics but I would not call this a Christian Nation either, for the same reason- the government is not a follower of Christ.
So I would say there is no such thing as a Christian Business.
One of my favorite quotes attributed to St Augustine is that he was confronted as why he chose to buy his sandals from an unbeliever when there were believers who also made sandals. His answer reported to be: "Because he makes the best sandals!!!"
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I think you are probably right. I hadn't thought about the nuance, and some may say that it's making a mountain out of a molehill, but language is important.
ReplyDeleteMuch of our economic problem today, I believe, is because we have given legal entity to businesses, who are not people. A business being held responsible for something is not the same as an individual or group of people being held responsible. It seems like a nit, but I believe we've become desensitized to it because it's so rampant and so much a part of our thinking.
So, again, I think you are probably right. I am a christian businessman, but my business is not a christian business. (On the other hand, if a customer of mine who is not a believer were to say that he trusts my company because it's a Christian Business, I probably wouldn't try to correct him. Why quibble over bits when so much opportunity is knocking?)
well said Bob!
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