the Jesus Manifesto - Latest Comments in Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

JoshuaEllens — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:41:53 -0000

I've been drifting away from using the term myself. earlier on i very strongly embraced Anarchism and called myself a christian anarchist. for me it was a breath of fresh air. it allowed me to get the load off my shoulders that i had been carrying for a long time (dissonance about christianity and the pollitical system.) however after a while i realized that i love Jesus but what i was really embracing was anarchist theory; something that doesn't necessarily need to have anything to do with Christ. Though i do think anarchist theories are some good critiques of the industrial capitalist economic model and so on, it is too easy for our christianity to be co-opted into this ideology (or any ideology for that matter, think of capitalism?). the question at hand shouldn't be "As christians, which political ideology should we buy into? which ideology more closely fits with the call of Christ?" Instead Christ himself should be our ideology. The role of christ isn't to simply inform us about how to live our lives in a separate political sphere. He is our Lord and we are to be citizens of his kingdom

There is definitely something lacking in "Anarchism", i've found. There is a Tyrany in Democracy. Its an enslavement to oneself or to common consensus rather than submission and obedience to the holy spirit. Mark and I have had many conversations about this, care to expand this idea a bit mark? Eliminating authority doesn't seem do be what Jesus is going for, but rather surrendering all authority to him. Christarchy is an entirely appropriate term. Christ is our Archon (ultimate, rule).

I don't mean any offense to anyone who embraces the term Christian Anarchism. I still use the term myself on occasion. Sometimes it is helpful. I just feel it is extremely important to put all these things in their proper place, and recognize what Jesus calls us to. Let us embrace the Lordship of Christ.

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

Mark Van Steenwyk — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:58:13 -0000

Indeed they are not the same thing. The problem is that some Christian anarchists are anarchists who happen to embrace Christianity or Christians who embrace anarchy. I only claim the term in the sense that I believe that Christ is my ruler, and I don't believe I should submit to any other ruler, since I am in Christ.

This is why I'm trying to utilize the word "christarchy" and "christarchist"--because it more authentically gets at what I'm advocating: the rule of Christ.

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

Michael Cline — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:53:57 -0000

I too have been hesitant of the lingo, but have found myself nodding in agreement with the before mentioned authors and books. The problem is that the word "anarchy" has almost exclusively come to mean "fight the man..and usually with force" which would be antithetical to the Christian's proper cause. But when Boyd breaks it down, showing that the word more literally understood denotes the denying of a supreme authority (other than God of course), it makes a lot more sense to me. I'm not sure about the exegetical work there on Romans 13, I'll have to continue looking at the passage (for the 1 millionth time), but I still don't see an "anarchist" leaning there. I just see "let the government do its job...protect you...keep the peace (which is why we are also told to pray for the rulers)...but in the end, you do your Christian thing and let them do theirs."

I guess if that is Christian Anarchy in a nutshell, I'm on board. As long as we make clear distinctions between anarchy and Christian anarchy, because they are not the same thing. Just ask the french revolutionaries

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

joe troyer — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:09:09 -0000

i have read boyd and yoder. i have read both mere and diisident discipleship. maybe i am further along than i thought. i have loved them all. i finally found something that connected with my soul.

when i pick up some of the others i will use your portal mark. thanks.

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

Mark Van Steenwyk — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:38:56 -0000

Good choices, Jordan. I'd add would be Theopolitical Imagination. It's a small but dense read (read after you've tackled the other books).

Some other books that might be helpful:

Mere Discipleship
Dissident Discipleship
Binding the Strongman

If you decide to buy any of these, I encourage you to buy them through the Christarchy! portal (so I can get a cut) http://astore.amazon.com/missionthink-20

:)

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

Jordan Peacock — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:20:43 -0000

As I wrote to Boyd privately, Anarchy & Christianity is my least favorite of Ellul's works (and I greatly enjoyed it).

Imho The Subversion of Christianity and Propaganda are the best; the Technological Society is said to be his seminal work but I can't find a readable translation.

Read Boyd's blog posting and then read his book Myth Of A Christian Nation. Then read John Howard Yoder's The Politics Of Jesus. Then delve into one of the three titles Boyd mentions. I also recommend the above Subversion of Christianity by Ellul.

Drop me a line if you'd like any other recommends.

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

joe troyer — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:12:43 -0000

i'll be honest, i know nothing of christian anarchy. i only think of Rage Against The Machine, lol. The terminology scares me, but to be honest, if it is what i read here, then maybe i am one anyways, or on the verge. i'll keep checking it out.

If my boy Greg is coming out, then i defenitely have something to think about.

where's the best place to start?

Re: Greg Boyd = Christian Anarchist!

Michael — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:28:03 -0000

Well, he did say anarchistic, rather than anarchist. :)