The purpose of this paper is to explore the intersection of anarchism and Christianity.

There

are many types of anarchism just as there are types of Christianity yet at their core, each have

basic tenants in common among their varying degrees and it is at this core where the two can

operate together.

As a literature major and a Christian, any reading I have done, every essay I have written has

caused me to look at the concept and purpose of the text not only through an academic lens but

also through a spiritual lens. I have not explored this latter lens in any of my essays for various

reason but mostly because that lenses questions and points did not fulfill the intent for any the

assignments. This paper will bridge that gap. The most influential essays Ive read during my

academic career are those of Thomas Carlyle and Friedrich Engels. As for novels and poetry, the

works of Dickens and Wordsworth had a profound socio-political and socio-economic impact on

the way I see American society regarding government and economic models and the impacts on

society, especially the working class and poor. I am also newly aware that Percy Shelly and

William Blake were anarchists to some degree and I will delve into this new way to view his

works. Through my studies of various eras of literature, I noticed a trend (probably influenced by

a pre-existing, but uneducated dissatisfaction with capitalism and the government) in essays and

subject matters dealing with the woes of society during the industrial revolution and a certain

influence of Marxism (intended or not) shedding light on the dangers of unregulated industrial

growth and the search for wealth above all else.

The tie in with Christianity is one that was born not only of my need to reconcile my

socioeconomic views and my faith but also my dissatisfaction with the church as a system. I
believe the modern church has become a bastard child of capitalism has it has left its true Father

and chased after growth and profit and disguised it as holy work. There was once something

better, or at least there could have been something better, if we would have heeded the advice of

our predecessors. Literature offers us a chance to look back at where we may have gone wrong

and if studied and paired with critical thinking, solutions may be reached. I believe that a clear

understanding of Christianitys common ground with anarchy can lead to radical changes in the

corporate church and return it to an entity that exists for the betterment of society instead of a

refuge for legalistic conservatives and disenfranchised liberals.

Regarding Christianity, I know that the early church, as well as the Israelites, lived out

certain anarchistic, socialist and theocratic principles. The pre-kings Israelites operated in a tribal

community which was guided by their holy writings, specifically the book of Judges with

disputes being decided upon by Levite priests, which were not leaders in the sense of what we

know of but interpreters of The Law, thus making them a type of theocratic anarchy. There are

also situations in the New Testament that hint to communal living and though a subservience to

the authorities is charged to the people, it is not intended to condone government but to teach

humility. I am also aware of the stances of various Romantic and Victorian writers regarding

politics and economics and the effects of those upon society. While most are not, by definition,

anarchistic, many offer important critics on capitalism and government; some on ways to better

the system and some speaking against its entirety as well as everything in between.

I understand that this is an unpopular idea both among Christians and anarchists. There are,

as with anything, some areas that the two will never agree upon however both parties stand to be

benefitted by principles from each. This paper is not intended to convert the reader to one or the
other ideologies, but to explore the common ground and, if I have my wish, serve as a manifesto

to the modern church; my 95 Thesis, as it were.

Various essays and books exploring the history and types of anarchism and Christianity as

well as essays and books dealing with the itself will be utilized as research as well as books and

essays about the proposed topic and any related romantic and/or Victorian authors/texts. (Percy

Shelly, Blake, et al). The paper will touch on the histories and precepts of each but primarily

focus on the search for commonality between the two.

Texts:

1. The kingdom of God is within you

2. The Bible

3. How my granny made me an anarchist

4. The unKingdom of god

5. Christianity and anarchism

6. That white essay

7. The history of anarchism

8. Jesus radicals articles