Biblical Ethics of Hoax Propaganda for Financial Gain

The biblical ethics of hoax propaganda for financial gain is rooted in various scriptural passages that condemn deceitful practices for personal enrichment. Jeremiah 6:13 warns that "every one is gaining dishonest gain, and from prophet even unto priest, every one is dealing falsely" ^[2]. This theme is echoed in Jeremiah 7:8, which critiques those who "trust in the words of falsehood, so as not to profit" ^[4].

The New Testament also addresses this issue. In 1 Timothy 6:5, Paul cautions against those who "take the faith to be a way of making profit" ^[3]. Similarly, 2 Peter 2:18 condemns those who "make use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error" through "high-sounding false words" ^[5].

The biblical concept of "unjust gain" (betza) is significant in understanding the ethics surrounding hoax propaganda for financial gain. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish rationalist commentator, interprets "unjust gain" as referring to money, highlighting the importance of honesty in financial dealings ^[13]. Rashi, a Rabbinic commentator, also associates "unjust gain" with seizing money ^[12].

The Patristic tradition continues this line of thought. Tertullian critiques those who spread falsehoods, arguing that Christians actively work to disseminate their doctrine truthfully ^[9]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, emphasizes that while the principle of promoting a higher good can be abused (e.g., by Jesuits justifying deceit for the Church's benefit), it remains a valid principle that a higher obligation can supersede a lower one ^[8].

In the context of Ezekiel's prophecies, false prophets are condemned for their "conspiracy" to propagate error and greed for gain, resulting in "many widows" due to their false prophecies leading to war ^[11]. one commentary tradition on Proverbs 13:7 notes that hypocrisy for gain, whether of honor or wealth, is a recurring theme in biblical wisdom literature ^[14].

The Catholic Scholastic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, views boasting (which can be related to hoax propaganda) as potentially a mortal sin if it involves boasting of something contrary to God's glory ^[10]. John Calvin's Institutes emphasize the importance of obedience over fictitious works, quoting Jeremiah 7:22, which prioritizes obedience to God's voice over burnt-offerings or sacrifices ^[16].

The biblical and historical perspectives converge on the condemnation of deceitful practices for financial gain. The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs warns against the love of money, which can lead to withdrawing from God's law and teaching arrogance ^[15]. Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes various biblical references to dishonest gain, theft, and the deceitful nature of riches, underscoring the biblical emphasis on honesty and the dangers of wealth ^{[6, 7]}.

The concept of vanity is also relevant, as Ecclesiastes 6:11 questions the profit of "many words that create vanity" ^[1]. The pursuit of wealth and the propagation of falsehoods are intertwined in biblical ethics, with both being considered vain and contrary to God's will.

Sources

Ecclesiastes “For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? -- Ecclesiastes 6:11”
Jeremiah “Jeremiah 6:13 (YLT) — For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely,”
I Timothy “I Timothy 6:5 (BBE) — Bitter talk of men who, being evil in mind and dead to what is true, take the faith to be a way of making profit.”
Jeremiah “Jeremiah 7:8 (YLT) — Lo, ye are trusting for yourselves On the words of falsehood, so as not to profit.”
II Peter “II Peter 2:18 (BBE) — For with high-sounding false words, making use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error;”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Theft — Is an abomination -- Jer 7:9,10. Forbidden -- Ex 20:15; Mr 10:19; Ro 13:9. From the poor specially forbidden -- Pr 22:2. Includes fraud in general -- Le 19:13. Includes fraud concerning wages -- Le 19:13; Mal 3:5; Jas 5:4. Proceeds from the heart -- Mt 15:19. Defiles a man -- Mt 15:20. The wicked Addicted to. -- Ps 119:61. Store up the fruits of. -- Am 3:10. Lie in wait to commit. -- Ho 6:9. Commit, under shelter of the night. -- Job 24:14; Ob 1:5. Consent to show who commit. -- Ps 50:18. Associate with those who commit. -- Isa 1:23. May, for a season, prospe”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 51: is not invalidated by its possible or actual abuse. It has been greatly abused. Jesuits taught that the obligations to promote the good of the Church absorbed or superseded every other obligation. And, therefore, in their system not only falsehood and mental reservation, but perjury, robbery, and assassination became lawful if committed with the design of promoting the interests of the Church. Notwithstanding this liability to abuse, the principle that a higher obligation absolves from a lower stands firm. It is a dictate even of the natu”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. IX.: But since he is manifestly guilty of falsehood in the statements which follow, let us examine his assertion when he says, "If all men wished to become Christians, the latter would not desire such a result." Now that the above statement is false is clear from this, that Christians do not neglect, as far as in them lies, to take measures to disseminate their doctrine throughout the whole world. Some of them, accordingly, have made it their business to itinerate not only through cities, but even villages and country houses,[”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Boasting, Art. 2: Article: Whether boasting is a mortal sin? I answer that, As stated above (Question [110], Article [4]), a mortal sin is one that is contrary to charity. Accordingly boasting may be considered in two ways. First, in itself, as a lie, and thus it is sometimes a mortal, and sometimes a venial sin. It will be a mortal sin when a man boasts of that which is contrary to God's glory---thus it is said in the person of the king of Tyre (Ezech. 28:2): "Thy heart is lifted up, and thou hast said: I am God"”
Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 22:25: conspiracy--The false prophets have conspired both to propagate error and to oppose the messages of God's servants. They are mentioned first, as their bad influence extended the widest. prey--Their aim was greed of gain, "treasure, and precious things" (Hos 6:9; Zep 3:3-4; Mat 23:14). made . . . many widows--by occasioning, through false prophecies, the war with the Chaldeans in which the husbands fell.”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Ezekiel 22:27: for the sake of dishonest gain To seize money.”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 18:21: Jethro continued: MEN OF TRUTH. Who do not lie. HATING UNJUST GAIN ( betza ). Money. 228 That is, betza (unjust gain) means money. So too Rashi. People who appear so, and are known as such by the community. It was in reference to these that Moses said, and known (Deut. 1:13). 229 Translated according to I.E.”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 13:7: In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.”
Introduction “Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, Introduction, section 27: be established. 18 1 And I know what evils ye will do in the last days.] 2 Beware, therefore, my children, of fornication, and the love of money, and hearken to Judah your father. 3 For these things withdraw you from the law of God, And blind the inclination of the soul, And teach arrogance, And suffer not a man to have compassion upon his neighbour 4 They rob his soul of all goodness, And oppress him with toils and troubles, And drive away sleep from him, And devour his flesh. 5 And he hindereth the sacrifices of God; And he rememb”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 92: properly belonging to the present subject, that whatever commendation works have, they have it in respect of obedience, which alone God regards, as he testifies by the prophet, “I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices: but this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice ” ( Jer. 7:22 ). Of fictitious works he elsewhere speaks, “Wherefore do you spend your money for that which is not bread”? ( Isa. 55:2 ; 29:13). Again, “In”

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