How to reconcile the Moral Law with the Moral Code?
Christian communities took upon themselves the task of bridging the gap between ‘the haves’ and the ‘have nots’, and Brigid also went on to found her own abbey and the community was renowned for its gracious hospitality. The Anglican Church stated its position in the 1600’s Articles of Religion in the Book of Common Prayer: “A Christian man’s goods are not common as touching right, title and possession of same as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. But it is a Christian man’s duty to give alms liberally according to his ability.” The Anabaptists of that day taught a form of communism. Alms are/were voluntary contributions to aid the poor and the needy, and many a monastery and convent received endowments from ‘the haves’ for this purpose. But the principle of agreement, of consent, was important for all concerned. And yes, religious communities did hold ‘all things in common’, (a form of ‘communism’) but the right to choose belonged to the individual – and his vows of poverty were us
