Christian anarchism
Christian anarchism is a movement in political theology that argues that anarchism is part of the teachings of Christianity and the Gospels. It is based on the belief that Christians should follow only the authority of God, as shown in the teachings of Jesus. Because of this belief, Christian anarchists reject the idea that human governments should have authority over society.[1][2]
Christian anarchists usually criticize the state, arguing that it relies on violence, deception, and coercion. They believe that human society should instead follow the values of the Kingdom of God, which emphasize compassion, equality, and service rather than hierarchical authority.[3] Many Christian anarchists also support pacifism and reject war, militarism, and the use of violence.[4]
One of the most influential modern works in Christian anarchist thought is The Kingdom of God Is Within You by Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1894.[5]
Origins
[change | change source]New Testament
[change | change source]Christian anarchists often base their ideas on teachings from the New Testament. The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes are especially important because they teach love, forgiveness, humility, and nonviolence.[6]
Christian anarchists argue that governments depend on violence and therefore conflict with Jesus’ teaching to love enemies and reject retaliation. They also interpret parts of the Bible as warnings against political power.
For example, in the Gospels Jesus refuses an offer by Satan to rule all the kingdoms of the world. Some Christian anarchists interpret this story as evidence that worldly political power is corrupt.[7]
Some writers such as Jacques Ellul have also interpreted political power and the state as symbolized by the "Beast" described in the Book of Revelation.[8]
Conversion of the Roman Empire
[change | change source]Christian anarchists often see the conversion of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great as an important turning point in Christian history. After Constantine’s victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 and the Edict of Milan in 313, Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire.
According to many Christian anarchists, this change began what is sometimes called the Constantinian shift. They argue that Christianity changed from a small, grassroots movement into a powerful institutional religion closely connected with political authority.[9]
Christian anarchists often criticize later historical events such as the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the French Wars of Religion as examples of Christianity being used to justify violence by political power.
Criticism
[change | change source]Christian anarchism has been criticized by both Christians and anarchists.
Some Christians argue that the Bible supports obedience to government authority, especially in Romans 13. Christian anarchists reply that this passage is often interpreted incorrectly and that other biblical passages, including those in Revelation and Isaiah, should also be considered when understanding political authority.
Some secular anarchists also criticize Christian anarchism because they reject religion and divine authority. For example, the anarchist Luigi Galleani criticized Tolstoy’s philosophy, arguing that belief in divine authority contradicts anarchist ideas of rejecting all authority.[10]
See also
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. Christian Anarchism: A Political Commentary on the Gospel. Imprint Academic.
- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. New Perspectives on Anarchism. Lexington Books, 2010.
- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. New Perspectives on Anarchism. Lexington Books, 2010.
- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. A Christian Anarchist Critique of Violence. Political Studies Association.
- ↑ Orwin, Donna Tussing. The Cambridge Companion to Tolstoy. Cambridge University Press.
- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. Christian Anarchism: A Political Commentary on the Gospel. Imprint Academic.
- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. New Perspectives on Anarchism. Lexington Books.
- ↑ Ellul, Jacques. Anarchy and Christianity. Eerdmans.
- ↑ Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. New Perspectives on Anarchism. Lexington Books.
- ↑ Nietzsche, Friedrich. Der Antichrist.
