Ep 436: Sympathy for a Scrooge, with Jacqueline Isaacs

In this festive episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Cody Cook and guest Jacqueline Isaacs unpack her viral 2011 article A Christmas Carol: A Capitalist Story. Despite Dickens’ socialist leanings, the story he crafts actually depends on free markets—without Scrooge’s wealth, there’s no life-saving operation for Tiny Tim, no turkey for the Cratchits–no redemption arc at all. Isaacs argues capitalism isn’t the villain; it’s the stage. Even selfish Scrooge fuels prosperity via the “invisible hand,” while transformed Scrooge proves voluntary generosity trumps state poorhouses.

Also: which political demographic are the modern day Scrooges? Does the Grinch make a case for commercialism? Which film adaptation of A Christmas Carol is the best? And the oft-forgotten anti-slavery verse in “O Holy Night.” Don’t get humbugged by socialist talking points–listen to this compelling conversation or else the Ghost of Christmases Libertarian might just come to pay you a visit tonight.

Links referenced in this conversation:
A Christmas Carol: A Capitalist Story

Jacqueline Isaacs on X and Linkedin.

The Institute for Faith, Work, & Economics

Jacqueline’s Washington Times article “Seeing the People Behind Adam Smith’s ‘Invisible Hand'”

Bellwether Communications

Called to Freedom: Why You Can Be Christian and Libertarian