Cornelius Van Til has argued that apologetic arguments cannot be resolved without consideration of fundamental presuppositions. Similarly, theological arguments are clearer and easier to follow when underlying assumptions are put on the table.[1] To advocate the abolition of the State is as close as one can get to arguing about the most fundamental beliefs about the nature of man and the purpose of life on this planet (short of a debate between outright atheism and theism). When the “archist” and “anarchist” positions collide, we must confront
a network of related presuppositions in terms of which every aspect of man’s knowledge and awareness is interpreted. . . . Worldviews determine our acceptance and understanding of events in human experience, and thus they play the crucial role in our interpreting of evidence or in disputes over conflicting fundamental beliefs.[2]
This Thesis is built on a foundation of several important and (in most circles) controversial assumptions. These assumptions are not the kind to be arbitrated by demographics or statistics from Political Science. This thesis deals with assumptions about ethics.
This Thesis also refers to several concepts using labels which are sometimes inflammatory. It is not far from the truth to say that an entire thesis can be defended simply by properly defining the terms. Certainly a large part of defending a thesis on “Anarcho-Theocracy” and persuading the reader of its validity depends on defining terms to the satisfaction of the reader. Here we define several terms and explicate our presuppositions.
Capitalism and Anarcho-Capitalism................................. Tab 5
Calvinism and Anarcho-Calvinism................................... Tab 3
Theonomy, Sin, and Christian Reconstruction ................. Tab 4
Optimillennialism............................................................. Tab 6
Theocracy...................................................................... Tab 9
Anarchism...................................................................... Tab 8
Patriarchy....................................................................... Tab 7
[1] Jon Zens, An Examination Of The Presuppositions Of Covenant And Dispensational Theology, http://www.cet.com/~dlavoie/solo.christo/theology/nct/Presuppositions/presupi.htm#1, see also Greg L. Bahnsen, “The Presuppositional Apologetic Argument,” in Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis, Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, 1998, 461-468.
[2] Bahnsen, “Conflicting Worldviews,” in Always Ready, American Vision, 1996, 118-120.