"I will be writing my term paper on the idea that Jesus Christ taught a message that seems to be consistent with philosophical ideas developed over the past century and a half that have come to be referred to as anarchism. I will contend that Jesus led a purely anarchistic life with the added dimension of a higher being: that of God. And I will show how it is that I have reached this conclusion by defining modern anarchism and by giving examples as to how Jesus led this anarchistic lifestyle. I will back up my statement with the help of some well-known anarchist writers."
"If there is a Christian anarchist critique of the state, is there also a Christian anarchist critique of the church?
Yes - a sometimes very bitter one at that. For a start, they are critical of the church's tendency to reassure Christians that what Jesus clearly asks of his followers is actually unrealistic and not really meant for us here and now, but only for the hereafter (as if there would be any point voicing such demands if that was the case!). For Christian anarchists, it's very disappointing that Jesus' radical political demands have been betrayed by almost all official churches and their theologians as they became more established and institutionalised."
Anarchism can be a bit tricky to philosophize sometimes and I'm unsure every self-described anarchist necessarily gets it right all the time. I guess it's like anything, like the religious not quite getting their own religion right.
For example, if one wants to be governed and government is optional, then it seems to fall under anarchy fine. Or if a group wants to do some kind of task that requires a leader, then that also falls under anarchy fine if everyone agrees with it and enters into it wilfully.
As long as whatever people decide, it is generally done of their free will.
Another example that I've read before is getting into a jet plane: If one does that, they do it with the understanding that any funny stuff and the pilot or flight attendants have the coercive power to knock you back, so to speak, into your seat.
And then there's the example of the parent yanking back a child who has just wandered into dangerous traffic before the light turns green or maybe to fetch a ball that has bounced into the street. IOW, there's ethical coercion and unethical coercion. Sometimes the two can be tricky to differentiate. Obviously the child is too young to give consent or all the time for everything, but it can be about saving the child's life and the parent having some levels of ethical coercion/control over the child.
However, the Lord doesn't say "Vengeance is exclusively mine." That, in fact, would contradict the presence of the judges of Bible times (assumed to be honest and upright, of course) who were charged with trying cases and administering earthly justice to the guilty, up to and including capital punishment.
Kathy, we are His arms here. Through us does he work. He has other ways too of course. As He said of Israel long ago, I make plans for your ruin, so it is with us, today.
"The fact that people reacted violently to the song's message is THE EXACT POINT OF THE SONG and I dont think a single person who phoned in a bomb threat to a radio station understood that."
If human justice is thwarted, divine justice steps in.
I prefer Justice here and now on earth. Let divine justice catch what we can't see.
"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord" ~ Romans 12:19
But Jesus had plenty of "righteous" anger, so should we.
"I AM AN ANARCHIST.
All good men are Anarchists.
All cultured, kindly men; all gentlemen; all just men are Anarchists.
Jesus was an Anarchist...
[...]"
~ Elbert Hubbard, 1910,
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/jesus-was-an-anarchist
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"I will be writing my term paper on the idea that Jesus Christ taught a message that seems to be consistent with philosophical ideas developed over the past century and a half that have come to be referred to as anarchism. I will contend that Jesus led a purely anarchistic life with the added dimension of a higher being: that of God. And I will show how it is that I have reached this conclusion by defining modern anarchism and by giving examples as to how Jesus led this anarchistic lifestyle. I will back up my statement with the help of some well-known anarchist writers."
~ Shawn Ford, 1995,
www2.hawaii.edu/~sford/research/jesus/index.html
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"If there is a Christian anarchist critique of the state, is there also a Christian anarchist critique of the church?
Yes - a sometimes very bitter one at that. For a start, they are critical of the church's tendency to reassure Christians that what Jesus clearly asks of his followers is actually unrealistic and not really meant for us here and now, but only for the hereafter (as if there would be any point voicing such demands if that was the case!). For Christian anarchists, it's very disappointing that Jesus' radical political demands have been betrayed by almost all official churches and their theologians as they became more established and institutionalised."
~ William Crawley, 2011,
bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2011/05/was_jesus_an_anarchist.html
Zazzy, a long overdue thanks to you, for helping me see anarchy and anarchists in a completely different light - a different context.
Yes, Jesus, an anarchist for sure - a revolutionary, a rebel (with a cause). Certainly, not the meek and almost effeminate images we see.
Previously I envisioned, head-banging heavy metal music adherents - violent and chaotic.
My reformed definition - which you may or may not agree with - is simply, self-governing, a man needs no other governing.
You're quite welcome, Ron...
Anarchism can be a bit tricky to philosophize sometimes and I'm unsure every self-described anarchist necessarily gets it right all the time. I guess it's like anything, like the religious not quite getting their own religion right.
For example, if one wants to be governed and government is optional, then it seems to fall under anarchy fine. Or if a group wants to do some kind of task that requires a leader, then that also falls under anarchy fine if everyone agrees with it and enters into it wilfully.
As long as whatever people decide, it is generally done of their free will.
Another example that I've read before is getting into a jet plane: If one does that, they do it with the understanding that any funny stuff and the pilot or flight attendants have the coercive power to knock you back, so to speak, into your seat.
And then there's the example of the parent yanking back a child who has just wandered into dangerous traffic before the light turns green or maybe to fetch a ball that has bounced into the street. IOW, there's ethical coercion and unethical coercion. Sometimes the two can be tricky to differentiate. Obviously the child is too young to give consent or all the time for everything, but it can be about saving the child's life and the parent having some levels of ethical coercion/control over the child.
Amerika needs some tough love now, for sure...see the portrait.
However, the Lord doesn't say "Vengeance is exclusively mine." That, in fact, would contradict the presence of the judges of Bible times (assumed to be honest and upright, of course) who were charged with trying cases and administering earthly justice to the guilty, up to and including capital punishment.
Excellent point, my friend.
May I stand in for divine? He apparently is out of the office. ЁЯЩВ
Kathy, we are His arms here. Through us does he work. He has other ways too of course. As He said of Israel long ago, I make plans for your ruin, so it is with us, today.
~ Bomb-Threats For God & Muhammad ~
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"...I make plans for your ruin..." ~ Lugh
youtu.be/AiIlcew-GVM?si=mKCgSc5VqDMGyLzd
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Dear God
youtu.be/p554R-Jq43A?si=fvhcWMysilhCWPZa
Sample comment under video:
"The fact that people reacted violently to the song's message is THE EXACT POINT OF THE SONG and I dont think a single person who phoned in a bomb threat to a radio station understood that."
~ denver924471