Christian Anarchism

[Arafat]

What do Christians think about it? And Anarchism as a whole?

 

[livingword26]

Quite an oxymoron if you ask me. As Christians we are instructed to submit to our leaders, as we are also to submit to Christ. The rebellion of anarchism is totally anti-Christ.

 

[rocklife]

is there a particular "christian anarchism" you are referring to?

 

[rocklife]

just the idea of anarchy as in rebellion, is against Christian New Testament teachings. Jesus was obedient to God even obedient to death on a cross. Christians do not have to obey sinful things, but we do need to follow what is right.

 

[Latreia]

"Christian Anarchism"



Not in my neighborhood, kiddo.

 

[rocklife]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_anarchism

I don't know enough about this to really discuss. I'm only a 5 year old christian, and just going through the bible is keeping me busy. some christians seem to appreciate Leo Tolstoy's post-christian-conversion works that seem in line with this, but I haven't read them myself, so I don't know

 

[Rafael]

The Bible tells the Christian, the follower of God, to obey the laws of the government and land up to the point that those laws go against the laws and instruction of God.

Tit 3:1 ¶ Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

Acts 5:26 ¶ The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested them, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would kill them if they treated the apostles roughly.
27 Then they brought the apostles in before the council.
28 "Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?" the high priest demanded. "Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about Jesus, and you intend to blame us for his death!"
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority.

 

[Arafat]

Tolstoy believed that because he was a Christian this made him a pacifist and because of military force used by his government, being a pacifist thus made him an anarchist.

 

[Adstar]

Tolstoy believed that because he was a Christian this made him a pacifist and because of military force used by his government, being a pacifist thus made him an anarchist.

Here is where different people have interpreted the same word to mean different things.

To some an anarchist is a person who seeks to bring to an end all centralised power. It is not simply refusing to co-operate but an active attempt to undermine and destroy central power.

So Tolstoy could not conform to this interpretation of anarchism if he was not prepared to use violence, because violence is necessary to destroy centralised Authority.

As a Christian i believe in Non-resistance but i do not however seek the overthrow of centralised power. I leave the leadership of the nations of this earth to the ones given power and will obey whatever laws they institute up until they institute a law in direct opposition to the Words Of Jesus.

But even if the Authority over me decided to institute an anti Christ law i will not seek to bring down that government. I will simply refuse to conform to the law and accept any consequences stemming from that refusal.

So Christian resistance is not the same as anarchism, we do not seek to destruction of central authority or to take control of central authority. But when the need arises we are prepared to cease conforming to the will of a central authority when that authority brings about laws in direct conflict with the teachings of the Messiah Jesus.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[dvd_holc]

The Kingdom of Heaven which we are subject to the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ does not look and grow up the way of the world...USA, England, EU, China, Russia, Israel and all the present ruling kingdoms are not the Kingdom of Heaven. We reject those kingdoms for the Kingdom of Heaven. This does not leave us with Anarchy, but with a ministry within the divine rule of God building the church up in the image of Jesus Christ, as we were commanded.

 

[heron]

Even though we're all saying we don't think about Christian Anarchism, I have seen some of it at the local level.

Wikipedia starts out, "Christian anarchism is the belief that the only source of authority to which Christians are ultimately answerable is God."

How many times have we heard members of our congregation say that?

I don't think it's a problem, until a congregation or believer starts to ignore town ordinances, fudge tax laws, break contracts, neglect loan payments, break speed limits, neglect family in their care... in the name of Higher causes. I'm sure everyone here can think of at least one unethical thing a Christian did, assuming that God would cover them.

Although none of us would want to admit we are Christian anarchists, maybe we are. Most of us do not want to oppose the governmental structure, but respect and work within it.... but we also tend to put ourselves above the law when we think no one is looking. Seat belts... jaywalking... double parking... claiming personal expenses as business deductions... driving with cell phones....
most people put themselves above the law in some small way.

 

[heron]

It's an interesting year to ask that question, since US religious fervor has entwined with governmental issues. What happens if this religious-political swell is disappointed or threatened?

I'm not sure what's happening in Wales, but you probably see other applicable concerns.