The Biblical Picture of Anarchy
Scripture presents anarchy not as political freedom, but as spiritual and moral breakdown. The book of Judges repeatedly describes Israel's condition during times when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). This phrase captures the essence of biblical anarchy—a society where God's authority is rejected and individuals become their own moral compass.
During these periods, Israel experienced devastating consequences. Judges 19:1 introduces one of the darkest stories in Scripture with these same words about having no king, leading to horrific violence and civil war. The repetition of this phrase in Judges reveals that anarchy isn't merely the absence of human government, but the rejection of divine order that results in increasingly destructive choices.
God's Design for Order and Authority
The biblical narrative consistently affirms that God establishes authority structures for human flourishing. Romans 13:1 teaches that "there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." This doesn't mean every ruler is godly, but that the principle of government itself serves God's purposes in restraining evil and promoting good.
Even in the garden of Eden, God established order through His commands and Adam's leadership role. When humanity rebelled against divine authority in Genesis 3, chaos entered creation. Throughout Scripture, we see that rejecting God's authority inevitably leads to rejecting human authority, creating conditions where sin flourishes unchecked. The wisdom literature confirms this pattern—Proverbs repeatedly warns about the fool who despises instruction and goes his own way.
Living Under God's Authority Today
For believers, the antidote to anarchy isn't merely supporting good government, but submitting to Christ's lordship in every area of life. When we acknowledge Jesus as King, we naturally respect the authorities He has established—in government, church, family, and workplace. This doesn't mean blind obedience when human authorities contradict God's commands, but it does mean we don't reject authority itself.
Canadian Christians today can resist the anarchic spirit by being model citizens who respect law, pay taxes, and pray for our leaders, even when we disagree with their policies. We demonstrate God's order through faithful participation in church life, strong family structures, and honest work. Most importantly, we guard against the "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" mentality by continually submitting our desires and decisions to God's Word.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)