All Comments for: Recessions Are Good? | Christianity Today

Free Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Home > 2008 > December (Web-only)

Christianity Today, December (Web-only), 2008 |

Recessions Are Good?

Many see moral uplift as a result of the slumping economy.

Rob Moll | posted 12/01/2008 01:24PM

Recessions, before the Great Depression, were often viewed as good things. Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon, even after the crash of 1929, expressed the common view of the time: "It will purge ...

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Rate and Comment on this article

Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 comments.

Page: 1

Show All

ounbbl

Posted: December 10, 2008 4:38 PM

The correct phrase is: Recession is bad (i.e. hard on some people), but has something good with it. Its corollary is: Booming economy itself is no good. Rising price of housing, rising value of stocks, etc. only means 'inflation', not healthy economy. People are being duped. Remember that 'economy' is a tool Satan controls in the world - with its evil trio of 'greed, speculation, manipulation'. That's why there is always 'boom and bust' in economy until the end of time.

Glenn

Posted: December 03, 2008 5:19 PM


There are at least a few hidden peals, that have come with this recession. Lower oil prices, cheaper houses and 0 inflation to name but a few... http://www.stgemmagalgani.com

John	Posted: December 02, 2008 3:50 PM


ExposingChristianity.com - Everything in Christianity has been taken from religions predating it by hundreds to thousands of years.

caveatBettor

Posted: December 02, 2008 1:58 PM

This historic perspective is really nice. The trade deficit is a bit fallacious, though. Most households tend to have trade deficits with their grocer, gas station, utilities, car dealers, telecom providers ... The trade deficit can also be referred to as a capital surplus. And even though recessions can sharpen our perspective and awareness of our dependence on God, they can also precipitate layoffs and salary reductions of church staff and missionaries, as well as direct aid to genocide and natural disaster victims. The church is truly global, if only financially.

Leroy Hurt

Posted: December 02, 2008 1:09 PM


A nice balance of the good and bad effects of recession. It's too bad it usually has to take a crisis to drive us to the master we need instead of the master we want. Leroy Hurt, www.YourUnfinishedBusiness.net

Randy Rushmore (Registered User)

Posted: December 01, 2008 5:24 PM


Recessions can serve a useful purpose if the eyes and brains of sellers and buyers open up to the situation and recognize the need to take whatever positive actions would ward off the nation's slumping into a depression - there's always that 'middle-ground' between good and bad!

Maria (an aussie)

Posted: December 01, 2008 5:23 PM

the positives that come out of hard times are that things that people have put their trust in, crumble and it is an opportunity for those who know Jesus to point suffering people to the One who has told us that He will never forsake us,is always faithful,is full of grace and mercy and whose kingdome will last forever.It is a wonderful opportunity for the miraculous provision of God.I have proven this in my own life taking homeless people in when there was little to feed my own family and amazingly people arrived with food,extra money turned up with no-one knowing our need.this then becomes our testimony to how great and personally involved in our lives Jesus is.

Ted Voth Jr

Posted: December 01, 2008 4:47 PM

'Christian Darwinism', Social Darwinsim, reas its ugly head. The poor suffer in a pepression, we the people suffer in a depression, and the greedy corrupt incompetent investment bankers make ouy like th moal bandits they are… yes, poverty and depression will kill off the weak and immoral poor, and we the stronger in tooth and claw, will be made better and morally sounder. Sounds like Jesus to me! Get a grip, CT…

JohnS

Posted: December 01, 2008 3:53 PM

Ah, yes, and wars and epidemics are good at getting rid of the surplus population. Let's be serious, there is nothing good about a recession. Real people get really hurt in them. The Church has an opportunity to shine after a hurricane or a tornado too, but no one wishes for them. The country came together after 9/11, but I haven't read the article about how great that day was. Yes, we are too materialistic, we don't produce enough, consume too much, and don't save anything. None of those things, however, are likely to change because of an economic downturn except involunarially, and in the short term only. Desperate people don't usually do the right thing. The Church can do much to help the suffering to come, but lets not kid ourselves that there's some silver lining to is, because there is not.

Patrick Johnson

Posted: December 01, 2008 1:43 PM


And let's not forget that during a recession, the Church has an opportunity to shine to a lot of hurting people ---both inside and outside our walls----through grace-inspired generosity. It's time to deploy Kingdom assets....not hoard.

Robert Angison

Posted: December 01, 2008 1:41 PM

Recessions are a good thing. Like a controlled burn (when handled well) they get rid of the under growth and disease and will strengthen a people and economy in the long run. While some will lose some marketshare or even portfolio edge, with a balanced view we can know that our confidence isn't in the markets but in the hope of Christ. I don't know why more churches aren't taking advantage of this time to create and sustain community reaching ministries to bring faith, hope, and love to those who might otherwise not receive a touch from Christ and His people. We need a groundswell of sacrifice and individual hospitality to answer this crisis with the love of the Gospel. The markets are harsh, the Church should be caring. Great post.

Page: 1

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment