The One-Year Anniversary: Exploring ChristiAnarchy with Steve Utley

It has been 364 days since we launched Christian AnarchySomeone who follows Christ as their only authority—rejecting institutional control over their spiritual life. Today. To mark the one-year anniversary, Steve Utley, musician extraordinaire, joins me for a special program. We're going to discuss various topics related to the title of the show. This is a shout out to all the matriculating college and university students out there, especially seekers of truth at the University of Michigan—Go Blue!

Understanding ChristiAnarchy

A number of years ago, word got out that I was called a Christian anarchist, likely due to the show. Some guys in Seattle, who were all about secular social anarchy as Christians, invited me for a radio interview. They actually wanted to "burn the mother down," as they put it, but were really disappointed when we started talking because that’s not how I interpret Christian anarchy.

Clarifying Christian Anarchy

Steve, tell us about what you've discovered recently about Christian anarchy and your approach to it.

Steve: Well, like you, I was under the impression that in Christian anarchy there is no authority above you except for Christ. It’s a direct connection. It's a spiritual principle within the religious context. However, I noticed there are two camps. One group believes that as Christians, they are also anarchists in a political or secular sense—not just spiritual.

Exploring Different Perspectives

Do you know if these Christian anarchists have any allegiance to Romans chapter 14, where Paul says to obey civil authorities?

I was thinking about that the whole time but didn't ask any of them. It would have been a good question.

Discovering New Insights

So what opened your eyes to this group?

We call ourselves Christian anarchists today based on the idea that no one should insert themselves between us and Jesus. The term "arke" in Greek implies a primary source, meaning there's no authority except Christ. There's no religious authority, no pastors, nobody who can dictate our actions—Christ is our God and King.

But Steve has discovered a group called Christian anarchists, which includes those with more political leanings. They use the title "Christian anarchist," but it could mean either belief system.

Addressing the Confusion

How do we clear this up?

Steve: It's confusing. I created a Facebook group called Christian Anarchists, assuming it was about Christian anarchy as I understood it. But I noticed many were discussing Tolstoy, who was focused on a more political form of anarchy in his writings, which isn’t what I thought the group was about.

In the end, the term "Christian anarchist" can be an umbrella for either the spiritual principle we advocate or a more politically charged interpretation. This discovery challenges us to be clear about our beliefs and open to dialogue with those who may interpret the term differently.

The Intersection of Faith and Politics

In recent discussions, I've noticed an interesting dilemma within certain groups, especially those centered around political anarchy.

The Christian Anarchy Group: A Conflict of Ideals

There was an announcement on the Christian Anarchy Facebook site, which sparked some confusion. This group stated that anyone who identifies as an anarcho-capitalist had to leave because it was now classified as an anarcho-communist group. Many members found this perplexing, not wanting to leave the group despite having capitalist leanings.

The leader of the group began ejecting members, claiming authority within an anarchist realm, which ironically contradicts the very nature of anarchy. The terms "anarcho-capitalist" and "anarcho-communist" are thrown around, but they essentially revolve around political anarchy. Personally, I don't believe that whether you lean towards communism or capitalism politically should impact one's Christian values—I don't think it matters as far as Christ is concerned.

Communism, Capitalism, and Christianity

Some members argued that communism aligns more closely with Christianity, dismissing capitalism as incompatible. This prompted further exclusion from the group, yet I remain, intending to share this video with them as a capitalist among communists.

I believe that one can be a communist if they choose, just like one can be a capitalist. Personally, I combine elements of social communism with fiscal capitalism. I see value in working, earning a wage, and participating in free enterprise.

The Role of Faith in Political Identity

For Christians, I don't believe political orientation matters significantly. Parents often raise their children with certain beliefs, but college years are often a time of rebellion. If you're a savvy parent, you wouldn’t want to insist your child become a staunch flag-bearing Christian, as they may rebel in college.

When it comes to discussions about aligning Christian values with anarchy, capitalism, communism, or socialism, my stance is clear. These are two separate kingdoms. Christ's Kingdom is spiritual, and our focus should remain there. As for our earthly kingdom, what you choose to do is your own prerogative.

Challenging the Status Quo

Old-school thinking suggests you must align politically to be a truly devout Christian, but this isn't grounded in scripture. The truth is, all political groups have their faults, many of which are contrary to the teachings of Christ.

In conclusion, maintaining a strong spiritual focus should take precedence, while political affiliations and beliefs can remain secondary and personal.

Reflections on a Complex Question

Was Bonhoeffer Right?

Today, I stumbled upon a heated discussion on Facebook. A question was posed: Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer correct in his attempt to assassinate Hitler? The general consensus in the thread was overwhelmingly affirmative. Many expressed sentiments like "Yes, he was acting in Christ's name." Some went as far as to say that Christians had failed by allowing Hitler to take office in the first place.

A Dissenting Voice

I found myself in the minority as I firmly disagreed. When people argue that it's justified to kill someone in Christ's name, I believe they've missed the mark. It's crucial to step back and reflect on how we've arrived at such a conclusion. In my view, this line of thinking is a step too far.

A Note of Appreciation

Additionally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Steve for contributing a full year of amazing music to our show. Your tunes and insights into Christian Turkey have enriched our conversations. Thank you, Steve, for being part of this journey.