Christi-Anarchy: Discovering a Radical Spirituality of Compassion [Paperback]

The late Anglican Bishop Ralph Wicks used to say in the midst of his three hour Good Friday services that "Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship". This is a hardy seed of an idea: an idea which has taken root in Dave Andrews' book Christi-Anarchy.
In reviewing this book, I feel as though I'm introducing the man himself. Dave identifies strongly with his worldview, to say the least. He takes his religion very personally - in fact he is, to put it simply and I hope politely, fixated with Christ. This is the essence of the theme of Christi-Anarchy: that Christianity as a religion has been distorted by its neglect of the actual figure and teachings of Christ.
This is hardly a new message, as there are many reformers who strive to reclaim the original and central personality of Christianity. But Dave is not trying to reform an ailing system. Like his political counterparts, the anarchists, he is trying to practise a new system within (or alongside) the shell of the old. Which explains, partly, Dave's capacity to irritate even the most sympathetic church bureaucrat.
My only worry (apart from being a church bureaucrat myself) is that in trying to evangelise the evangelicals, liberate the liberals and ferment the fundamentalists, Dave risks trying to 'out-Jesus' Jesus. There is a thin line between devout disciple and messianic mischief-maker. For what it's worth, I can vouch for Dave's presence on the right side of this line. More importantly, however, so can hundreds (if not thousands) of people from the slums of India to the boarding houses of Brisbane - in other words, the experts on such matters in the Upside-Down Kingdom.
Dave lives a Gospel story in friendship with his Lord through the gift of community. He is an open-minded absolutist who errs on the side of compassion in any situation, based upon an informed imagination of where Christ is in today's world.
Dave's other genius is that he upholds deep-seated tolerance while adhering to a central claim of Truth. Gleaned from years of service in the multi-religious and caste-based society of India, Dave has a firm grasp of pluralism and how its neglect has (at times inadvertently) turned many Christians into racial supremacists, on the one hand, and other-worldly quietists, on the other. Dave also knows what buttons religion pushes in the Australian psyche. He has obviously argued with evangelicals and liberal Christians alike, challenging each with the unique counter-characteristics of Jesus.
The final synthesis of this argument is a discomforting and compassionate faith which maintains open boundaries around a central (and hard) core of belief. Dave writes out of his current experience in innercity Brisbane within "the Waiters Union", a network of creative community workers who have befriended local refugees of all kinds - from persecution, society, the church and the dominant consumer culture.
I found Christi-Anarchy engaging, perceptive and provocative. It includes some meaty sources, for those wanting to devour further, from a smorgasbord of writers, activists and radical movements. More importantly, it provides the basis for practical action by local Christian groups, as well as those who have been stung, bitten or crushed by the institutional excesses of the faith. This is a truly offensive book and the writer should be commended.

An analysis of much of the evil and injustice perpetrated throughout the last 2000 years that reveals that Christians and Christianity is at its heart. Faced with this, how can anyone with integrity follow the example of Christ himself? This exploration of what Christ said, and how he behaved, reveals a model for a radical community lifestyle which embodies his Spirit. The author argues that this must be inclusive, based on an individual's orientation to Christ, not on whether they subscribe to a set of dogmas about him. He cites practical examples of followers of Christ who have drawn others to him through their determination to live out Christ's example.

NEW ISBN: 0-9757658-0-9

When Christi-Anarchy was first published it caused quite a bit of controversy.

Some claimed it was `a denial of two thousand years of Christian tradition'!

At one time, Koorong - the biggest Christian book sellers in Australia - refused to stock Christi-Anarchy openly on their shelves lest it `cause offence' to their customers.

Patricia Harrison, at Tabor College, Sydney, Australia warned readers: `Those afraid of moving out of their comfort zone are advised not to read this book.'

But in spite of the controversy that surrounded its publication Christi-Anarchy has become a bit of a `cult classic' - or, should I say, `occult classic'.

Believe it or not, Christi-Anarchy has been displayed as best seller in the Occult Section of Avid Books, a local West End book store, whose manager reported that it was so popular that people were stealing it off the shelves!

Christians report `non-Christian' friends sending them copies of the book by post with a note suggesting that, after they read it, they meet to talk about it.

I wasn't surprised the book was received well by people who were disillusion-ed with Christianity and who used the book as a conversation starter to talk with Christian friends about their disillusionment with Christianity. But I was that surprised so many nice, straight, middle-class, middle-of-the-road, evan-gelical and charismatic Christians responded to the book so appreciatively.

I will never forget the phone call I got from my elder sister Ruth who was a ABMS missionary in Thailand. I'd sent her a copy of the book and I'd waited - rather anxiously - for her reply - as I was uncertain how she would take it. When Ruth eventually called me, all she could do was cry, and say over and over again: `Thanks for writing Christ-Anarchy, Dave. It says what I think but what I've never had the words - or the courage - to say publicly myself.'

It was a sentiment that I was to hear expressed repeatedly wherever I went.
But - I must confess - I never expected to hear it from my friends in YWAM.

However, last year, when I was visiting some YWAM friends in the US, they not only affirmed what I was saying, they actually asked my permission to publish what I was saying in the International YWAMer. So, in January 2004, against all the odds, YWAM published an interview with me entitled `Leaving Room For Doubt' - recommending YWAMers buy copies of Christi-Anarchy!

Patricia Harrison of Tabor College says that Christi-Anarchy `is a courageous and provocative study, likely to earn applause from some, and brickbats from others, but certain to challenge and to stimulate serious reflection.' I hope so.

Dave Andrews

Praise For Christi-Anarchy

`This is a courageous and provocative study, likely to earn applause from some, and brickbats from others, but certain to challenge and to stimulate serious reflection. Dave Andrews attacks Christian complacency and calls us back to the non violent, yet radically subversive "Way" of Jesus. Many of us who teach Church History feel uncomfortable with facile explanations of its dark, demonic side. This book confronts that darkness with a sobering accusation: post Constantinian Christianity has so perverted the "Way" that, far from being aberrations, atrocities have become its natural excrescences. Christianity's reputation is so besmirched that a startling new name is proposed for the humble, loving "Way" of life taught and exemplified by Jesus. Those afraid of moving out of their comfort zone are advised not to
read this book!'
Patricia Harrison, PhD, Professor, Tabor College, Sydney, Australia.
`The long history of the project Christendom may be typified as the house of authority. With its many attendant abuses of power. But a different thread runs through history as well, based on the subversive memory of the early Jesus movement. This could be typified as the house of freedom. Here welcome, hospitality, downward mobility, servant leadership, common purse, intentional community, peace and justice are the dancing residents. In the tradition of Vernard Eller, Dave Andrews invites us to dwell in the house of freedom, and fling open all the doors and windows!'

Charles Ringma, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada.
'This book is a radical but loving reconstruction of the movement of Jesus Christ, in protest against its distortions. Dave Andrews, one of the leading prophetic voices of our time, brings all of his passion and insight to bear in a way which will both disturb and inspire.
hristi-Anarchy has that uncomfortable air of a message crying out to be heard, and I hope it is widely read.'

Mike Riddell, Author, alt.spirit@metro3, and the bestselling Godzone