The Fourth Way

I chat with Matthew Milioni of Followers of the Way. We focus primarily on positive anarchy, which is a topic I feel is often lacking in discussion. We know that government is evil, but what is the alternative? Check out our discussion for a look at what No King But Christ might look like.

0:00:00 Intro
0:04:00 Is abstention from government a shirking of our Christian duty to do good in the world?
0:16:00 Is it a false dichotomy to say we can't serve God AND government?
0:26:20 The impracticality of governmental pursuit and coercion vs. example
0:31:25 Voting as religion and the sacralism of the state
0:39:50 Voting as a tool to appease and silent the masses and quell civil uprisings
0:45:25 How government steals the credit and props itself up as savior in regard to societal good done by activists
0:48:35 Government is idealistic, and Jesus is a better and more practical savior than government
0:56:35 False dichotomy part 2: can't we serve God through government?
1:00:20 Democracy and voting are inherently coercive and factional, so what about decision making in the church?
1:08:55 If the police and laws do good and provide order in a fallen world, how do we navigate issues like legitimate lawsuits for damages, calling the police for intruders, or reporting sexual abuse?
1:24:15 Informing the state about crimes in their domain vs. petitioning the state to use their sword on my behalf
1:30:00 How do I maintain a consistent application of noncoercion to other areas, like parenting and spanking?
1:35:10 Isn't justifying spanking based on the benefit for my kids the same consequentialism Christians who vote use?
1:39:00 What about Jesus ruling with a rod of iron, and Christians ruling in the age to come? That sounds like we're wielding government and sword.
1:47:41 Christocentric vision as core
1:52:27 Matthew plugs his stuff
1:53:54 Outro

Show Notes

  • A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music!
  • Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTd3KlRte86eG9U40ncZ4XA?view_as=subscriber
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/ 
  • Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/
  • My Reading List Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21940220.J_G_Elliot
  • My Reading List Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10h_yL0vO8-Ja_sxUJFclff11nwUONOG6/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103262818858083924733&rtpof=true&sd=true
  • Video Interview with Matthew Milioni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Q8jXjSegE&list=PLNrd6lQRh0iZzSxgMo_zhz69clqkD0W9J&index=8
  • Voting as an Abdication of Responsibility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBAs9jmanzs
  • Spooner The Constitution of No Authority: https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/spooner-no-treason-no-vi-the-constitution-of-no-authority-1870
  • Anatomy of a Hybrid: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1461694.The_Anatomy_Of_A_Hybrid?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=SbB0UDw1D0&rank=1
  • George Carlin voting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLvm16MKCpA
  • Electing Not to Vote: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3402646-electing-not-to-vote?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WUxsN9wXUl&rank=1
  • Hauerwas voting coercive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOk78SSyKtM
  • Just War Debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4xQaDDKY7k
  • Dial 911: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8994266-dial-911?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=uwBGNQRE7H&rank=7
  • Romans 13 episode: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/c-g-romans-13-replay-12
  • Romans 13 extension: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/c-g-romans-13-extension-i-pet-and-i-cor-6
  • Spanking Episode Part I: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/97-means-and-ends-spanking
  • Talking Into the Chasm: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-in-the-chasm/id1492844106
  • Followers of the Way: https://www.followers-of-the-way.org/
  • Dank Kingdom Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dank-kingdom-podcast/id1506853313



0:00:00 Intro
0:04:00 Is abstention from government a shirking of our Christian duty to do good in the world? 
0:16:00 Is it a false dichotomy to say we can't serve God AND government?
0:26:20 The impracticality of governmental pursuit and coercion vs. example
0:31:25 Voting as religion and the sacralism of the state
0:39:50 Voting as a tool to appease and silent the masses and quell civil uprisings
0:45:25 How government steals the credit and props itself up as savior in regard to societal good done by activists
0:48:35 Government is idealistic, and Jesus is a better and more practical savior than government
0:56:35 False dichotomy part 2: can't we serve God through government?
1:00:20 Democracy and voting are inherently coercive and factional, so what about decision making in the church? 
1:08:55 If the police and laws do good and provide order in a fallen world, how do we navigate issues like legitimate lawsuits for damages, calling the police for intruders, or reporting sexual abuse?
1:24:15 Informing the state about crimes in their domain vs. petitioning the state to use their sword on my behalf
1:30:00 How do I maintain a consistent application of noncoercion to other areas, like parenting and spanking?
1:35:10 Isn't justifying spanking based on the benefit for my kids the same consequentialism Christians who vote use?
1:39:00 What about Jesus ruling with a rod of iron, and Christians ruling in the age to come? That sounds like we're wielding government and sword.
1:47:41 Christocentric vision as core 
1:52:27 Matthew plugs his stuff
1:53:54 Outro
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What is The Fourth Way?

A podcast focusing on issues related to nonviolence, and a member of the Kingdom Outpost.