The Meaning of Christian Anarchy

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Anarchy. The very word symbolizes chaos and utter disregard for authority. Or does it?

Anarchy is formed from the prefix a- or an-, meaning non-, and the root word arch, meaning authority or government (that’s where we get arch-duke and arch-bishop). So, the word anarchy means an opposition to or disregard of a specific form or instance of authority believed to be illegitimate.

Through the centuries of mankind's existence, this word has represented many things. Men have applied the concept of anarchy to law, believing that it is the law that makes us guilty of wrongdoing. In this, they were right, for Paul says in Romans 6 that "I would not have known sin except for the law." Of course, these men reasoned that if only legal standards were abolished, men would be freed from their conscience. Here they erred, for God’s word says "I have written my law on their heart, that they might be without excuse." This type of anarchy results in total, even violent opposition to any form of government, and is condemned in Romans 13, where it tells us to submit to the governing authorities.

However, not all anarchy is wrong.
Men like Thomas Jefferson were anarchists. They opposed any form of government that had lost its God-given authority to rule. The Declaration of Independence shows this: ". . . whenever any Government becomes destructive of these ends (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness), it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and institute new government. . . ." This form of anarchy did not call for the abolition of all government, but for the abolition of the oppressive and dictatorial rule of Great Britain, and the abolition of any such government that had surpassed its God-given boundaries.

In the early 1800s, the Anti-Federalists revived this notion of anarchy during the creation of the Constitution. They believed that the pre-existing Articles of Confederation were a better safeguard of their freedoms than the new Constitution, which gave more power to the centralized federal government. Please note that these "anarchists" did not blow up buildings or cause moral chaos! They verbally opposed a form of government that they believed would lead to corruption and decay.

The word "Christian" means Christ-like. In order to have some concept of "Christian Anarchy", we must examine Christ’s outlook on rebellion against specific authorities.
Jesus was not openly opposed to the Roman government of His day. When asked whether taxes should be paid, He said "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."
But anarchy doesn't just mean opposition to civil government. It means any opposition to any authority.

What authority rules the lives of many Christians today? Is it not our culture? What the Hollywood stars do and what is "hip" governs many, if not most of our actions. Is this a legitimate authority?

God’s Word says no. "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed to the image and likeness of Christ." Verses like this abound, telling us that we are set apart, not under the law of popular approval or mob appeal.

Today, I believe that there is a strong need for Christian Anarchists. Men and women who are not afraid to rebel against a culture that is increasingly anti-God and anti-morals. There is a culture war going on, folks! While it is our civic responsibility to act as real citizens through our state and federal governments, it has never been the responsibility of Christians to "jibe" with the popular opinion.

We need Christian Anarchy in America today!

Disclaimer:

The concept of Christian Anarchy is by no means an anti-government directive or a call for violence of any kind. Christian anarchists are simply rebelling against a culture that has become too much of an authority over the lives and minds of Christians today.

Why the word "Anarchy"?

Why? Why not use "Christian Individualism" or "Counter-culture Christianity" instead of a word that has come to represent total disregard for God and government?

Anarchy did not always mean utter chaos. The fourth edition of Black’s Law Dictionary notes that "at its best [anarchy] pertains to a society made orderly by good manners. . . ." Since the entire concept of anarchy is that of rebellion against unjust authority, the central design of anarchy is not fundamentally flawed.

Today, words like "gay", "liberal", "progressive", "bigot", and "open-minded" have all been hijacked by the forces of evil. The meaning of the word "anarchy" has changed from "resistance to unjust government" to "total social and economic chaos", but it can be changed back.

A brilliant example of a change in the essence of a word is found in a book called Christian Hedonism. Hedonism is living for pleasure . . . usually personal pleasure. But, having been transformed to the likeness of Christ, we as Christians are called to live for God’s pleasure rather than our own. Like Christian Hedonism, Christian Anarchy calls us to re-think the meaning of our walk with God.

Opponents of Christian Anarchy would compare it to "Christian Pornography" or "Christian Sin". This analogy falls short in that anarchy is not inherently evil, like lust and sin. Anarchy is a rebellion against unjust authority, and for Christians this means a rebellion against today’s anti-Christian culture and an awakening of our responsibility to make a difference and be set apart.
The reason that I don’t want to use "counter-culture" or "individualism" is that it falls short of the real idea that I wish to portray. These replacement terms are fundamentally weak! Anarchy, notwithstanding its popular misconceptions, portrays a spirit of righteous rebellion against injustice. I want Christians to have the same fervor when it comes to standing for what they believe in.

David S. MacMillan III