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danielad's review against another edition
4.0
A generally excellent critique of Marxism from a Christian perspective, though, by no means, the perspective of a Christian who knows little about Marxism. On the contrary, Ellul takes Marxism to task and especially those who believe Christianity and Marxism can be aligned.
The only crucial problem with the book was, I believe, the final chapter on Christianity and anarchism. Here, Ellul argues that anarchism is the only political option that fits with scripture.
I disagree.
Though the Bible, and the New Testament more particularly, are critical of governments and power, I do not find strong evidence supporting the view that Christians ought to resist governments. As Paul explains in Romans thirteen, governments are there in order to punish sin. Since all power comes from God, insofar as governments issue laws that promote the advancement of the Kingdom of God, we ought to support them (though this is not to say that we ought to endorse them).
Of all Jesus's commands (love God; love neighbours; observe the Lord's supper; practice baptism; carry out the great commission) I do not see any we can use to justify terrorist anarchist activities. Rather, because Jesus's kingdom is not of this world, we should act at a distance from governments and support them, as I have already said, insofar as they help us to spread the gospel, expand the Kingdom of God, and fulfill the great commission. I see no reason to either (1) follow Ellul and be a Christian-anarchist or (2) do all that I can to convince those who reject Jesus as Lord to adhere to a 'Christian morality' (whether or not I do this through a legislative force).
I believe our mission is clear: support governments and follow them insofar as they facilitate the (benevolent) spreading of the gospel and ignore them when they try to make us act against Jesus's commands. This leaves no room for either anarchism or a complete pact between Christians and their governments. Nor does it leave us in an apolitical realm. Rather, it leaves us in a sphere where we obey God first and governments subsequently.
The only crucial problem with the book was, I believe, the final chapter on Christianity and anarchism. Here, Ellul argues that anarchism is the only political option that fits with scripture.
I disagree.
Though the Bible, and the New Testament more particularly, are critical of governments and power, I do not find strong evidence supporting the view that Christians ought to resist governments. As Paul explains in Romans thirteen, governments are there in order to punish sin. Since all power comes from God, insofar as governments issue laws that promote the advancement of the Kingdom of God, we ought to support them (though this is not to say that we ought to endorse them).
Of all Jesus's commands (love God; love neighbours; observe the Lord's supper; practice baptism; carry out the great commission) I do not see any we can use to justify terrorist anarchist activities. Rather, because Jesus's kingdom is not of this world, we should act at a distance from governments and support them, as I have already said, insofar as they help us to spread the gospel, expand the Kingdom of God, and fulfill the great commission. I see no reason to either (1) follow Ellul and be a Christian-anarchist or (2) do all that I can to convince those who reject Jesus as Lord to adhere to a 'Christian morality' (whether or not I do this through a legislative force).
I believe our mission is clear: support governments and follow them insofar as they facilitate the (benevolent) spreading of the gospel and ignore them when they try to make us act against Jesus's commands. This leaves no room for either anarchism or a complete pact between Christians and their governments. Nor does it leave us in an apolitical realm. Rather, it leaves us in a sphere where we obey God first and governments subsequently.
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