Some people find the notion of “Christian anarchy” a contradiction in terms. After all, how can one simultaneously claim “self-rule” and submit to the authority of God?

In a purely philosophical sense, that may prove impossible. But if we view anarchy as merely a political arrangement, it fits together neatly with a Christian world-view.

Anarchism roots itself in the idea of self-ownership. Since we own ourselves, nobody else has an inherent right to rule over us. But that doesn’t preclude an individual from submitting to the authority of another. In fact, it would happen all the time in an anarchist society. For instance, a person would place herself under the authority of the owner every time she set for on their private property. Most people would continue to respect familial authority. If you work for another person, you would submit to the authority of your boss.

People would have to isolate themselves completely from society to maintain literal, complete self-rule.

The difference between an anarchist society and a statist society isn’t the existence of authority, but lies in the coercive nature of the state. In an anarchist society, submission to authority would still exist, but it would always happen on your own terms. You don’t have to enter private property if you don’t like the owner’s rules. You don’t have to work for a boss. You can sever ties with your family.

Nobody forces you to submit.

In contrast, the state uses coercion and violence to maintain its authority. Force ensures your obedience. Therein lies the fundamental difference between the anarchist and statist systems.  An anarchist doesn’t necessarily repudiate all authority. But the anarchist always maintains power over his own life. He can consent to submit to a given authority, but he always retains the right to withdraw that consent and move along.

As Christians, we believe God is sovereign. He has the absolute right to rule over us. But he lets us exercise free-will. In our earthly life, God allows us rule ourselves – anarchy.

While as Christians we “are not our own,” and we “were bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20), God does not force his will upon us. He doesn’t compel obedience. He wants us to freely choose to follow Him. If we refuse, he allows us to go our own way. When we submit to His authority, we do so voluntarily.

So political anarchy meshes neatly with Christianity. We voluntarily submit to Christ’s authority. We voluntarily become part of the Christian community. We voluntarily join the church and follow its edicts. Nobody puts a gun to our heads and forces us, and we can walk away at any time.

Christian anarchists reject the legitimacy of the state with its coercion, compulsion, force and violence. We do not reject all authority. We just insist every individual has the inherent right to chose to whom they will submit.