Jacques Ellul blends politics, theology, history, and exposition in this analysis of the relationship between political anarchy and biblical faith. On the one hand, suggests Ellul, anarchists need to understand that much of their criticism of Christianity applies only to the form of religion that developed, not to biblical faith. Christians, on the other hand, need to look at the biblical texts and not reject anarchy as a political option, for it seems closest to biblical thinking. Ellul here defines anarchy as the nonviolent repudiation of authority. He looks at the Bible as the source of anarchy (in the sense of nondomination, not disorder), working through the Old Testament history, Jesus' ministry, and finally the early church's view of power as reflected in the New Testament writings. "With the verve and the gift of trenchant simplification to which we have been accustomed, Ellul lays bare the fallacy that Christianity should normally be the ally of civil authority." -John Howard Yoder
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Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French
Original Language: French
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jacques Ellul was the bad boy of western Christianity during his lifetime, continuously gadflying rigid hierarchies, smug or tepid Christians, and orthodox theologians with book after book that challenged conventional wisdom. (In this regard, he reminds one of Kierkegaard in the 19th century.) Anarchy and Christianity is one of his most penetrating criticisms of institutional Christianity. But like most of his theological works, it's not entirely (or even primarily) critical in tone. It also offers a vision of what Christian faith might be.
Ellul argues that both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are wary of political (worldly) authority. The transition from judges to kings in ancient Israel was viewed as a decline by Hebrew Bible authors, and Jesus' entire public ministry is a challenge to both political and religious authority. The subsequent institutionalization of the Church, and the transformation of the living presence of Christ into "religion," break faith with the teachings and meaning of the Christ.
Ellul intends his audience to be not just Christians, but also the anarchist community, which has generally been militantly anti-Christian. In one of the more interesting sections of his book, Ellul tries to demonstrate that in fact genuine Christianity (as opposed to the institutionalization of it that both he and atheistic anarchists dislike) is deeply anarchistic. Through a series of masterful scriptural interpretations (pp. 32-44), Ellul argues that God is not omnipotent, providence doesn't rule out human freedom, and God is a liberator. This re-envisioning of God, which Ellul argues is more loyal to the scriptural model than subsequent theological analyses, is instructive. Is rejection of the monarchical understanding of God anticipates much of what liberation theologians had to say.
Also of interest is Ellul's exegesis of five texts from the Christian scriptures which he sees as central to the anarchic message of Christ (pp. 59-85), especially his reading of the Book of Revelation as an anti-governmental authority document (pp. 71-74). Much of what he has to say is reminiscent of the American Christian iconoclast William Stringfellow.
An instructive, disturbing, but ultimately inspiring read. Highly recommended.
Ellul argues that both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are wary of political (worldly) authority. The transition from judges to kings in ancient Israel was viewed as a decline by Hebrew Bible authors, and Jesus' entire public ministry is a challenge to both political and religious authority. The subsequent institutionalization of the Church, and the transformation of the living presence of Christ into "religion," break faith with the teachings and meaning of the Christ.
Ellul intends his audience to be not just Christians, but also the anarchist community, which has generally been militantly anti-Christian. In one of the more interesting sections of his book, Ellul tries to demonstrate that in fact genuine Christianity (as opposed to the institutionalization of it that both he and atheistic anarchists dislike) is deeply anarchistic. Through a series of masterful scriptural interpretations (pp. 32-44), Ellul argues that God is not omnipotent, providence doesn't rule out human freedom, and God is a liberator. This re-envisioning of God, which Ellul argues is more loyal to the scriptural model than subsequent theological analyses, is instructive. Is rejection of the monarchical understanding of God anticipates much of what liberation theologians had to say.
Also of interest is Ellul's exegesis of five texts from the Christian scriptures which he sees as central to the anarchic message of Christ (pp. 59-85), especially his reading of the Book of Revelation as an anti-governmental authority document (pp. 71-74). Much of what he has to say is reminiscent of the American Christian iconoclast William Stringfellow.
An instructive, disturbing, but ultimately inspiring read. Highly recommended.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In what might well be the last book he ever wrote,Jacques Ellul, the great French resistance fighter, politician, sociologist, political analyst, biblical scholar, radical Christian, has summed up his life and thought in this brief and trenchant little book. Don't be fooled by its size. Like everything I have read of his, there is not one wasted word; every one needs to be carefully chewed on, but beware if you swallow it. You might become the kind of follower Jesus was looking for.
Ellul makes it clear at the outset that he is not trying to convince anarchists to be Christians, nor is he attempting to make Christians become anarchists. He's just writng what he thinks the Hebrew Bible, Jesus, Paul and the rest of the New Testament authors, are saying, namely that no one [but God] has the right to rule anyone else. (That's what "an-archos" means in Greek). Love God, Love others, be responsible, and let the chips fall where they may.
Though he sides with political anarchists in their rejection of those who claim the right to rule others, Ellul hastens to add that he does not share their utopian belief that once statist or authoritarian domination is eliminated, people (being naturally good and kind) will achieve peace, security, happiness, and community. He rejects that assumption, he writes, because he is a Christian and accepts the Christian view of the radicality of evil in human beings. Consequently, anarchists reject him because he's a Christian and Christians reject him because he's an anarchist. So be it. This is the way he has chosen to live, and leaves it up to us the readers to choose as well.
Ellul makes it clear at the outset that he is not trying to convince anarchists to be Christians, nor is he attempting to make Christians become anarchists. He's just writng what he thinks the Hebrew Bible, Jesus, Paul and the rest of the New Testament authors, are saying, namely that no one [but God] has the right to rule anyone else. (That's what "an-archos" means in Greek). Love God, Love others, be responsible, and let the chips fall where they may.
Though he sides with political anarchists in their rejection of those who claim the right to rule others, Ellul hastens to add that he does not share their utopian belief that once statist or authoritarian domination is eliminated, people (being naturally good and kind) will achieve peace, security, happiness, and community. He rejects that assumption, he writes, because he is a Christian and accepts the Christian view of the radicality of evil in human beings. Consequently, anarchists reject him because he's a Christian and Christians reject him because he's an anarchist. So be it. This is the way he has chosen to live, and leaves it up to us the readers to choose as well.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This brief manifesto condenses the theses of Jacques Ellul's philosophic life into a concise format that provides a good overview and a primer for possible future reading. It provides a handy summary of the logic by which he believes close reading of Scripture reveals an anti-statist bent at odds with the tendency of formal Christianity to make common cause with the powers of the earth.
Throughout this volume Ellul insists he is not trying to proselytize anyone for a point of view. The repetition makes me suspect he protests too much, but this book is too short and introductory to change many minds. What it is likely to do is start lively, productive discussions that may allow two camps, often regarded as incompatible, to find commonalities and stop the feud that divides them both.
Ellul calls himself a Protestant, but expresses disdain for anyone exercising dominion over others. He insists we must be cautious and selective in reading Calvin and Luther. There are some places, particularly in his exegesis of 1 Peter and of Paul, that he must perform interesting verbal gymnastics to reconcile his thesis with Scripture. He might have been better served here to take a bold approach and admit there are some things he just doesn't know.
Ellul doesn't write for dabblers or dilettantes. His prose is ponderous and allusive. He makes references to prior writings by himself and others. This book is meant to engage true believers, activists, and thinkers. Be willing to set aside a healthy measure of time before reading this book.
But if you set that time aside and use it wisely, this book opens up a new way of regarding our Christian mission on earth. Highly recommended for Christians, for conscientious resisters, and for intellectuals on both sides of the theological divide.
Throughout this volume Ellul insists he is not trying to proselytize anyone for a point of view. The repetition makes me suspect he protests too much, but this book is too short and introductory to change many minds. What it is likely to do is start lively, productive discussions that may allow two camps, often regarded as incompatible, to find commonalities and stop the feud that divides them both.
Ellul calls himself a Protestant, but expresses disdain for anyone exercising dominion over others. He insists we must be cautious and selective in reading Calvin and Luther. There are some places, particularly in his exegesis of 1 Peter and of Paul, that he must perform interesting verbal gymnastics to reconcile his thesis with Scripture. He might have been better served here to take a bold approach and admit there are some things he just doesn't know.
Ellul doesn't write for dabblers or dilettantes. His prose is ponderous and allusive. He makes references to prior writings by himself and others. This book is meant to engage true believers, activists, and thinkers. Be willing to set aside a healthy measure of time before reading this book.
But if you set that time aside and use it wisely, this book opens up a new way of regarding our Christian mission on earth. Highly recommended for Christians, for conscientious resisters, and for intellectuals on both sides of the theological divide.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing look at a neglected subject.
This book put into rational words what I can not due to me being a hot head at times. Also, his incredible grasp of European history really put my, at times, Ameri-centric view of... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Joseph G Leppert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
Ellul discusses anarchy and the teachings of christ. I imagine the average christian would be shocked at the similarities. Ellul is always an interesting read.
Published 4 months ago by toucan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Need more believers like Jacques Ellul
As I said, we need more believers like Mr. Ellul. Although, I don't agree with everything Ellul says what is more important is that he is an original thinker, even though he does... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Benjamin
4.0 out of 5 stars
CHRIST, NOT CAESAR, IS LORD !
Jacques Ellul's "Anarchy and Christianity" is 109 pages long and is divided into 8 chapters and several appendices. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Rad Zdero
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Jacques Ellul's book is a thoughtful and serious account of the intersection of Christianity and anti-statism. Read more
Published on June 7, 2010 by dh
4.0 out of 5 stars
Anarchy is not anti-Christian
Jacques Ellul (1912-1994) was a French sociologist, philosopher, and theologian, but his main profession was teaching law at the University of Bordeaux. Read more
Published on April 29, 2010 by Norman Horn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anarchy & Christianity
Very thought provoking and a challenge to both classical dogma and the status quo within the Christian Church. Read more
Published on December 3, 2009 by M. Howard
3.0 out of 5 stars
an aimless ramble
Jacques Ellul's book is unfocused and frequently contradictory - I guess "paradoxical" is the polite term - occasionally verging on incoherence. Read more
Published on November 4, 2007 by Eric A. Isaacson
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