By William Tew
Most people would like a consistent internal philosophy and libertarians probably more than most. Unfortunately, truly consistent and fulfilling personal philosophy is an illusory goal. The daunting task of reconciling moral emotions with reasoned principles produces convoluted and laughably absurd arguments. Recently, it seems libertarian-Christians have been confronting their own philosophical demons, and their inner struggle has revealed itself in a spate of articles by libertarian writers claiming that Jesus was a libertarian.
Such a bold proposition immediately requires expansive proof, which, despite their best efforts, libertarian-Christians have not succeeded in providing. By and large, arguments promoting Christ and his teachings as libertarian betray a profound ignorance and a fundamental misunderstanding of either libertarianism, Christianity, or both. Passing familiarity with the Gospels should be enough for anyone to recognize the obvious flaw in ascribing strong political views to Christ: he just doesn’t talk about it that much. If anything, Jesus’ inclinations would fall closer to those of the ISO than of YAL.
It would be too easy to point out examples of deity-encouraged murder and rapine in the Pentateuch, which Jesus certainly believed to be just. Likewise, it would be too simple to concentrate on the Apostle Paul’s and John of Patmos’ sadistic moralizing, upon which the modern Christian churches are built. Instead, let us focus only on the Gospels, and whenever possible only on Jesus’ words and deeds, which provide more than ample support of Jesus non-libertarianism.
Essentially, most expositions on the libertarianism of the Messiah hinge on a nebulous conception of his promotion of forgiveness and brotherly love. Like most messages in the Bible, this one is contradicted by other instances sprinkled throughout the Gospels like blood from Christ’s holy wounds. Consider his famous tantrum in the temple against the money-changers. Men who provided an entirely necessary service (that of selling offerings) to customers who engaged them voluntarily. Jesus’ attack on the merchants of the temple displays a disregard of property rights, not to mention a rather startling transgression against his Golden Rule. With rhetoric reminiscent of certain progressives, he compares the merchants to bandits. That’s not very libertarian. One might argue that Jesus acted on behalf of God, and because the temple is the property of God, he was justly defending property. However, that implies a truth to Jesus’ messianic claims that cannot be proven. Are we to allow every abortion clinic bomber to escape justice because he claims to be an instrument of God’s righteous will?
Throughout the Gospels Jesus behaves in very un-libertarian ways; and the ideas which underlie his preaching and form the core tenets of Christianity are rarely libertarian. The teachings of Jesus are rooted in the ancient collectivism of the Hebrew people and a radical ascetism. Jesus preaches primarily to Jews; Paul deserves credit for broadening the message to include gentiles. Just as the Old Testament continuously expounds the greatness of Israel as God’s chosen people, Jesus maintains an un-libertarian preference for his people. In fact, he treats the gentiles he meets dismissively and haughtily compares them to dogs, only healing a stricken child after he debases her faithful mother.
More importantly, though, is Jesus’ continual calls to eschew the material world. He encourages followers to “care not for the morrow” and to abandon earthly hopes and fears. While not explicitly anti-libertarian, this position questions the libertarian dedication to freedom in this world. If there is no difference between slavery and freedom because this life does not matter; if the tyrannies of this world are ultimately unimportant; if there is no reason to strive to excel or achieve, what’s the point of libertarian advocacy? A libertarian, by virtue of his passionate defense of earthly freedom, violates Jesus’ commandment to dedicate one’s self to the spiritual. An uncomfortable aspect of Christianity, the importance of such strict devotion is often downplayed. The “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” mentality is simply incompatible with libertarianism.
There’s nothing wrong with being a Christian, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with being a libertarian, but it’s high time libertarian-Christians moved accepted that religion doesn’t always fit with other ideas; and it doesn’t need to. Analyzing Jesus’ teaching for political philosophy is a fruitless task and an unimportant one. In all likelihood Jesus the historical figure held pre-Zealot, anti-Roman views with streaks of latent tribalism shaping his schema. Searching for hints of Jesus’ secret libertarianism is about as elucidating as reading The Da Vinci Code for Church history.
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That is a solid article that backs up its claims. Ironically you can’t say the same about many of the politically influenced things in Newsweek for example.
Wrong.
you are a god among men, mr tew. su-cussing-perb
Well said. I wasn’t even aware that some Christians were trying to defend the view that Jesus was a libertarian, but it did immediate strike me as absurd,