Living on Hope While Living in Babylon: The Christian Anarchists of the 20th Century

Description: Though Christendom has come to an end, it appears that old habits die hard. Jesus promised his followers neither safety nor affluence, but rather that those who come after him should expect persecution. Christian discipleship and tribal nationalism, however, despite the legal separation of church and state, continue to be co-opted into the nation-state project of prosperity and security. This co-option has made it difficult for the church to recognize her task to be a prophetic witness both for and against the state. That only a small pocket of Christians bear witness against such an accommodation of Christian practice is disconcerting; and yet, it breeds hope. In Living on Hope While Living in Babylon, Tripp York examines a few twentieth century Christians who lived such a witness, including the Berrigan brothers, Dorothy Day, and Eberhard Arnold. These witnesses can be viewed as anarchical in the sense that their loyalty to Christ undermines the pseudo-soteriological myth employed by the state. While these Christians have been labeled pilgrims, revolutionaries, nomads, subversives, agitators, and now, anarchists, they are more importantly seekers of the peace of the city whose chief desire is for those belonging to the temporal cities to be able to participate in the eternal city--the city of God. By examining their ideas and their actions, this book will attempt to understand how the politics of the church--an apocalyptic politic--is necessary for the church to understand her mission as bearer of the gospel. Endorsements: This work offers one of the most constructive political theologies I have read for some time. Refusing any merely reactive logic, York develops a theological an-archy that neither seeks relevance to nor reaction against a specific construal of state sovereignty. The 'arche'' is the Risen Lamb who was slain, who calls into question the disorder created by materialism, racism, and militarism. Dr. King's triple axis of evil provides a focus for York's discussion of the Catholic Worker, Koinonians, and Berrigans. But Holy Scripture, from Daniel to Revelation, provides the framework within which that axis can be assessed. This is lively, enjoyable, and convicting reading. Not only every undergraduate, but anyone who sits in a pew on Sunday will benefit from York's sage counsel on living in Babylon. --D. Stephen Long, Marquette University author of Theology and Culture: A Guide to the Discussion ""York performs an important service in illuminating the anarchist sensibilities of Christian scriptures and discipleship, an area surely meriting further scholarly and pastoral exploration. His introduction to three crucial voices in twentieth century Christianity--the Catholic Worker movement, Clarence Jordan, and the Berrigan brothers--leaves readers eager to learn more about and from these exemplars of a Christianity lived free of imperial patronage and constraint."" --Michael L. Budde, DePaul University author of Christianity Incorporated: How Big Business is Buying the Church About the Contributor(s): Tripp York is Visiting Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University, in Elon, North Carolina. He is the author of The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom (2007).