Church and State pt 6: initial explorations of practical implications
Written by Mark Van Steenwyk : March 28, 2007
Christian Anarchism is an ETHICAL/POLITICAL position. In other words, Christian Anarchism is a way of life–a way of living and moving in the world–a way of relating to the State–a way of being the Church in our World. Saying we have allegiance to Jesus over (and against) the State and that we follow in his radical politic requires action. It requires that we name the plague and take steps to respond to it in a Kingdom way.Often, this may align with the goals of the State. I don’t reject the possiblity of using the governmental system–but we must do so as though it were not our own. We are truly foreigners in a strange land. We must act accordingly. We must hold these things in tension:
- We must love the nation in which we live, as we are called to love our enemy (Romans 12-13).
- We must resist the principalities and powers as they are made manifest in the nation in which we live (Ephesians 6).
- We must forsake violence and rebellion in our resistance (Matthew 5, Romans 13), instead seeking to live at peace as much as it is up to us.
- Our driving ethic should NOT be one of resistance. Instead, we should strive to live in the Kingdom of God. Insodoing, we must resist the State as it offers a competing (often destructive) story and ethic.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Does this mean we shouldn’t vote?
I don’t vote. I don’t like being forced to choose the lesser of two evils. I recognize, however, that one can never successfully extricate one’s self from the governmental/economic/political system in this nation. Here I agree with my friend David, who says that we need to develop spiritual disciplines for faithful enagement within the system. We’d disagree on what this looks like (since he isn’t a Christian Anarchist). To me it includes non-voting (the ideal is to actually go to the polls and register a no-vote). Voting is the biggest intentional way in which Americans affirm the current political system. To vote is to put faith in the change that can come through American Democracy. It is ultimately about having power over others–a power that carries coercive force. Others may disagree with my assessment…and I think it is theoretically possible to be a Christian Anarchist and vote (just like it is possible to be a Christian Anarchist and buy a lottery ticket). Whether we like it or not, we’re enmeshed within the system. We must make thoughful attempts to live counter-culturally, thoughtful (and often strategic attempts) to seperate ourselves from the system, and thoughtful attempts to speak prophetically into the system. But must only do so AS Kingdom people.
What about lobbying? Protesting?
I actually think lobbying and protesting are better actions than voting. Voting seems like more of an “internal” way of bringing change, whereas lobbying and protesting (especially protesting) are more external. A good rule of thumb (in my warped mind) is “the measure to which an Irishman can engage in the American political system is the measure to which a Christian can engage in the American political system.” Since the Irish can protest and lobby, so can I. Both Christians and the Irish assume they are outsiders in the American governmental system.
As Christian, we can protest and lobby as Christians in a profoundly prophetic way without compromising our convictions. And I firmly believe that lobbying and protesting are much more compelling ways of changing society than voting. Martin Luther King Jr. is a good example of this.
Should we pay taxes?
Yes. Some have argued that we are under no obligation to pay taxes. They argue that we should never RESIST tax collectors, but we shouldn’t offer up our taxes. I don’t buy it. I think we should pay taxes out of our call to live at peace as much as we are able. I’m open to challenge on this, however. Who wouldn’t like to keep 30% of their income and give it directly to those in need?
Should we receive government benefits (health care, etc.)?
Ahhh…this is a sticky one. In my mind, the church has so failed to care for its own and given up its functions to the State to such an extent that it is cruel to expect Christians to refuse state-provided healthcare and benefits. Thankfully, there are alternatives (like Medi-Share or Health Democracy). There are some problems with these alternatives, however. I pray that the Church provides better alternatives.
More implications to come…


for further reading . . .
- None Found
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