Podcast Episode Details

The Meaning Behind A Christmas Carol With Jerry Bowyer

Episode 280

Jerry Bowyer is our resident economist here at FaithFi and the president of Bowyer Research. He’s also the author of The Maker and the Takers: What Jesus Really Said About Social Justice and Economics. 

Fans of the story might remember this exchange: 

Scrooge: “My taxes help support the public institutions which I’ve mentioned and they cost enough. Those who are badly off must go there.”

Portly Gentleman: Many can’t go there and many would rather die.

Scrooge: If they had rather die, perhaps they had better do so and decrease the surplus population.

Portly Gentleman: Surely you don’t mean that, sir?

Scrooge: “With all my heart … “

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN MISSING IN "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" ABOUT THE PHRASE "SURPLUS POPULATION"?

This phrase reflects the Malthusian belief prevalent in the 1800s, suggesting that population growth, especially among the poor, outpaces the supply of resources.

• "Surplus population" was a key term in the Malthusian debate, which argued that population growth surpasses food and resource supply, especially among the poor.
• Charles Dickens used Scrooge's character to critique Malthusian ideas, as Scrooge embodies this philosophy but changes his views by the end of the story.
• The contrast in Scrooge's character, from his impoverished childhood to his abundant adult life, mirrors the economic shifts from scarcity to abundance during the Industrial Revolution.

WHO OPPOSED MALTHUS' THEORIES, AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SCROOGE'S CHARACTER?

Boyer highlights opposition to Malthus' theories, notably from Charles Dickens, who used Scrooge's transformation in "A Christmas Carol" to challenge Malthusian beliefs. The story illustrates a shift from a scarcity mindset to recognizing abundance and the value of human life.

• Dickens, along with economists like John Baptist Say and writers like G.K. Chesterton, opposed Malthus' theories, advocating for human value and abundance.
• Scrooge's initial scarcity mindset, as shown in his reaction to the Ghost of Christmas Present, evolves to recognize the abundance and value of every human life, including Tiny Tim.
• The story illustrates a shift from viewing the poor as a burden to treating them with dignity and generosity, reflecting Dickens' broader critique of Malthusianism.

HOW DO MALTHUSIAN IDEAS PERSIST TODAY, AND WHAT IS THEIR IMPACT?

Boyer explains how Malthusian ideas persist in modern times through organizations like Planned Parenthood and in ideologies that advocate for reduced population growth. These ideas often target specific groups, reflecting biases against the poor, people of color, and immigrants.

• Modern Malthusianism is evident in organizations like Planned Parenthood and in ideologies promoting reduced population growth, often biased against marginalized groups.
• These contemporary beliefs, rooted in Malthusian ideas, suggest that certain populations are surplus and promote actions like abortion, which is contrary to sustainable human flourishing.
• We should view every human life, including the unborn and marginalized, as valuable, akin to Dickens' portrayal of Tiny Tim and contrary to Malthusian beliefs.

WHAT SHOULD VIEWERS TAKE AWAY FROM "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" THIS SEASON?

As viewers watch "A Christmas Carol" this season, Boyer hopes they recognize the underlying economic and theological messages. He encourages seeing God as generous and abundant, not stingy, and understanding the transformative journey of Scrooge as a call to embrace generosity and value all human life.

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  Published on 2 years ago