u/Acceptable-War4836

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1337761

I don't know if many of you know this paper by James Redford, in which he explains the reasons why Christ is an anarcho-capitalist. Here are some of the most important points:

TL;DR

1. Jesus’ Very Life Began in an Act of Defiance to Government (And Would Later End in Defiance to Government). Jesus’ life begins and ends in defiance of government: he flees from Herod as an infant and is later executed by Rome.
2. Jesus categorically rejected all earthly political power when Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world. (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8). He not only rejected them, but called them “kingdoms of the world” under Satan’s rule, demonstrating that any human government structure is incompatible with his kingdom.
3. Jesus explicitly declared, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). This is no small statement: it means that his authority is spiritual and voluntary, radically incompatible with any human state, empire, or government that exercises a monopoly on violence.
4. In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus defends the absolute right of the landowner to freely contract and dispose of his money as he sees fit. The owner pays what he voluntarily agreed upon, even if it seems “unfair” to the workers. Jesus responds: “Am I not allowed to do what I want with my own money?” This is a direct defense of voluntary contracts, private property, and against any coercive redistribution or “social justice” imposed by the state.
5. In the episode of the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27), Jesus states that “the children are free” from paying that tax. He miraculously pays it (with a coin in the mouth of a fish) simply “so as not to offend them,” not because he considered it legitimate or obligatory.
6. Jesus told Pilate that any authority he possessed had been “given to him from above” (John 19:11). He does not recognize the state as a legitimate source of sovereign authority, but rather as something derivative and limited (and in his case, unjust).
7. The Golden Rule Unavoidably Results in Anarchism. Loving your neighbor as yourself requires the non-aggression principle and makes any coercive state impossible.
8. Jesus shows no favoritism or respect of persons; he rejects all human hierarchies and treats everyone as equal before God.
9. Jesus teaches that nothing material rightly belongs to Caesar (the state); taxes are illegitimate.
10. Jesus associates tax collectors with sinners and prostitutes, demonstrating clear disapproval of the tax system.
11. Paul’s writings in Romans 13 and Titus 3:1 do not command obedience to the state but give pragmatic advice for living under it temporarily.
12. Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 2 are not an endorsement of state authority but guidance for believers in a fallen world without unnecessary violent rebellion.
13. Jesus upheld the rights to private property and voluntary contracts as consistent with his ethical teachings.
14. True greatness, according to Jesus, comes from serving others, not from holding political power.
15. The advice for slaves to obey their masters was a pragmatic instruction for that historical context, not a moral approval of slavery or government.
16. Jesus Supported the Collecting of Interest (Usury). Jesus did not condemn charging interest on loans, viewing it as part of legitimate voluntary exchange.
17. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple was an act of righteous libertarian vigilantism against state-sponsored corruption and fraud, not against free commerce.
18. Jesus opposed all forms of prohibition on non-violent personal behavior, including what would today be called the war on drugs.
19. Jesus pronounced woes against lawyers and the legal system for their hypocrisy, oppression, and exploitation.
20. Jesus advised his followers to avoid government courts and resolve disputes privately instead.
21. Jesus criticized the rich, especially ruling elites who exploit others, while not condemning honestly earned wealth.
22. Jesus sometimes engaged in what could appear as conspicuous consumption (such as accepting expensive perfume) rather than giving everything to the poor, emphasizing that charity must be voluntary.
23. Jesus calls his followers to true liberty, yet those who pay taxes to the state are not truly free.
24. Jesus Will Overthrow All the Governments of the World and Punish All the Rulers in the Time of His Judgement (i.e., His Second Coming) At his second coming, Jesus will overthrow every earthly government and judge its rulers.
25. The paper concludes that Christians must reject the state and live according to voluntaryist principles, followed by references.

Here is also a video by Huerta de Soto in which he explains why any Catholic should be an anarcho-capitalist.

https://youtu.be/u0DNLqUHjEQ?si=8b84HrDs2b-HOHW6 (in spanish but with subtitles)

I find this connection between Christianity and anarcho-capitalism truly fascinating. What are your thoughts?