Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
Recently I have been looking more deeply into the entire "social compact theory". And I have concluded it is pure humanistic hogwash. What's interesting is it seems to be the basis for BOTH socialism and "libertarianism".
Rather than adhering to some "ism", perhaps you would consider looking into the Biblical concept of "the Kingdom" and what that really entails, and how it applies to social structures. Unless you believe that "minimalist/volunteerist/libertarianism" is what the Bible teaches is the Divinely ordained and preferred form of society that Christians are to seek?
|
Biblically speaking, ancient Israel could be classified economically as agrarian socialist, or perhaps even distributist. (Please note, agrarian socialism isn't "big government" socialism.)
We don't have to reduce the United States to an agrarian state of goat herders to please God. I've been to other countries, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands and a couple other less exotic places under less than desirable circumstances. The world is advancing. America will be weakened and exploited by those nations who are advancing, especially if she reverts back to the 1800's.
I have good friends who are Christian Anarchists. They sound very much like you. But instead of wishing to drag American into their vision, they seek the right to live as they choose, apart from the government, as much as possible. They are antivax, they grow and raise the vast majority of their own food, they home school, make a living through trades, and live rather communally. Now, they aren't theonomic in the sense of your vision of theonomics. They do believe in living in community, the law is "love Jesus and love your neighbor as yourself". They don't believe in incorporation, ministerial licensing, marriage licensing, etc., etc. In fact, they don't even believe in voting or participating in the system if at all possible to avoid doing so. They tend to lean on herbal and home remedies. They midwife, they rarely go to the hospital, if ever. They are very peaceful. They have voiced condemnation against what they believe to be the exploitation and abuse of God's creation and the harm it causes others. They are definitely separate from the world.
They aren't trying to resurrect ancient Israel and preach a fascist gospel that will topple the United States and kill people who disagree. I like these guys. They aren't out to force anything down anyone's throat. They simply declare their right to live off the grid or as separately as they desire, while bringing in like minded folks. I can respect that. In fact, I've often considered deeper involvement with them.
But Christian Reconstructionism compared these precious pacifist people is a fascist, genocidal, power mad, religio-political hybrid, beast like creature.
I have no problems with folks who sincerely wish to live their lives a specific way. Be they Quaker, Amish, Mennonite, whatever. What I disdain is the Reconstructionist goal of becoming the very beast it's denouncing... while using God as justification for their bloody fascist vision.
If there were a vision I could grasp in good conscience, it would be the Christian Anarchist vision. Christian Anarchists generally believe in:
- Radical separation of church & state.
- Obeying laws that serve the common good.
- Practice pacifism.
- Oppose war.
- Oppose serving on juries.
- Oppose oaths.
- Abstain from voting.
- Oppose discrimination in all forms.
- Do not pledge allegiance to the state.
- Support homeschooling.
- Support herbal and natural medicine.
- Support trades and apprenticeship.
- Do not support church incorporation.
- Do not support state minister's licensing.
- Oppose state marriage licensing.
- Oppose institutional religion.
- Oppose political partisanship in the church.
- Oppose institutionalized religious hierarchy.
- Embrace communal fellowship.
- Believe in stewardship over ownership.
- Believe in distribution of any tax revenues for the common good.
And these people aren't on a political quest to one day again their vision through some political take over. They just up and decided to live it.
How would a Christian Anarchist fare in a Christian Reconstructionist society? Because they would oppose the very same authoritarianism under a Christian Reconstructionist society as they do in a secular society.
Threaded Mode
