Christian Anarchism
I remember seeing a bumper sticker as a teen that read "Jesus was an Anarchist". This appealed to me so much. Not as a testament of my knowledge of Christ, but due to my infatuation of punk rock and rebellion. I had my own personal Jesus that I could keep in my pocket until I needed comfort, brought him out and could put him back in case someone came along. Only in recent years have I grown closer to him and realized that this idea of Christ being an anarchist is precise. During his life, Jesus was a rebel rather than a king . Jesus was from the point of view of the High Priest a heretic and an impostor. From the point of view of the merchants he was a rioter and a Communist. From the Roman Imperialist point of view he was a traitor. From the common sense point of view he was a dangerous mad man. From the snobbish point of view, always a very influential one, he was a penniless vagrant.From the police point of view he was an obstructer of thoroughfares, a beggar, an associate of prostitutes, an apologist of sinners, and a disparager of judges; and his daily companions were tramps whom he had seduced into vagabondage from their regular trades. From the point of view of the pious he was a Sabbath breaker, a denier of the importance of circumcision and the advocate of a strange rite of baptism, a gluttonous man and a wine bibber. He was seen to the medical profession as an unqualified practitioner who healed people by quackery and charged nothing for the treatment.He was against the priests, against the judiciary, against the military, against the city (he declared that it was impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven), against all the interests, classes, principalities and powers, inviting everybody to abandon all these and follow him.By every argument, legal, political, religious, customary and polite, he was the most complete enemy of the society of his time ever brought to the bars. He was guilty on every count of the indictment, and on many more that his accusers sis not have the wit to frame. If he was innocent then the whole world was guilty. To acquit him was to throw over all things civil and all its institutions. History has brought out the case against him; for no State has ever constituted itself on his principles or made it possible to live according to his commandments.
I strive to become more like the first century Christians, boy did they have it right.In his letters to the first century church, the Apostle Paul commended each for excelling in the graces of God. Specifically, these first century churches were known for their faith, love, zeal, giving, knowledge, and intolerance for sin, as well as false doctrines. The first century church was united in spirit. Consequently, they were a conduit for the power of God as manifested in the miraculous signs and wonders performed through the apostles and for the apostles, in response to the prayers of the saints. The gospel of grace spread like wildfire, at tremendous cost to the early followers of Christ. The first century church was troubled with persecution, torture, and martyrdom. In spite of this, Christian churches were being established throughout the Mediterranean region, Asia Minor, and into Europe. I'm not here to condemn denominations by any stretch of he imagination. However, I do want my heart to lie within the first century church. In this, I believe that freedom is justified spiritually through the teachings of Christ. I can commune with God without the need of a system of clergy, a papacy, or any form of heirarchy. The restoration movement was originally intended (though I think we lost it along the way) to bring into light this idea, that the old institution was nalied to the cross, therefore bringing me into a relationship in which Christ lives in me (Gal. 2) without any need for a "middle man". Christ rebelled from the establishment, refusing to be made king and denouncing human leadership.
I, along with every other person in this world, have and will continue to walk through valleys. In these places I find Christ. In sufferage brings maturity. I posture myself to not be a victim, but to recognize that pain is a standard occupational hazard for human beings, and particularly those who pose a threat to our enemy.And so, today dawns and though the people I know who were hurting continue to struggle, I personally am not back on my heels reacting like a punching bag for the enemy of my soul. In fact, upon reflection, I like the ebb and flow of this life. I won't be surprised or sidelined by pain, and I'm going to make the devil pay for coming after me. It's not braggadocio; it's just a fact - in a spiritual sense, I'm a violent man, determined to war on behalf of those I love and those that Jesus targeted for love - the poor in spirit, the widow and the orphan.We Jesus-followers, if our eyes are fixed on his kingdom and his righteousness, are forever encroaching our enemy's territory. We're at least a nuisance to him, and some of us are a spiritual force to be reckoned with. I love meeting people like that and aspire to be one myself.Our enemy's general strategy is to keep humans hopeless and isolated, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring them hope and connection. This looks like force to the enemy - the kind of force that comes when you're gritting your teeth and have filled the cup of your soul to the brim with determination.
My prayer is that many of you who have been wounded and sidelined, benumbed or restrained, would regain the gleam in your eye. Be a man or woman of violence. Seek the kingdom as the focus of your life, don't be deterred along the way, and Jesus promises your life will be overflowing. So sure, call me an anarchist, as long as you inderstand where my revolt lies. I choose to put all faith in Him, leaving no room for belief in society, government, or even fellow brothers. Peter and John said "Think to yourselves whether it is righteous to obey man more than God." The kingdom of God is within me, and I forever in it.
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Author: markwishum
Location: Montgomery Alabama USA
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Blog Entries: 2 (archive)
Blog Comments: 0
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Stay out of the deep end!...
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