How should a Christian view libertarianism?

Answer

Politically, libertarianism suggests that government should be limited, intervening only in significant matters and mainly to safeguard the autonomy of citizens. Libertarianism highlights the freedom of individuals to act as they wish, with minimal interference from the state. Those who adhere to this political theory are referred to as libertarians. Libertarianism is distinct from the theological concept of libertarian free will, which is also sometimes denoted by the term libertarianism.

Like any political ideology, libertarianism encompasses a range of ideas rather than a rigid doctrine. In contemporary Western politics, the most prominent form of libertarianism is commonly known as right-libertarianism. Few, if any, right-libertarians advocate for the complete abolition of the state. This positions right-libertarianism as a type of minarchy, or minimal government. In its purest form, a right-libertarian government would have only two functions: protecting the nation from external threats and enforcing laws against criminals. Such a government would define criminal acts solely as instances of violence, fraud, or theft.

There also exists a variant known as left-libertarianism, which shares similarities with communism and socialism. Within this perspective, the core libertarian principle of “freedom” is interpreted to mean that all resources—including property—should be accessible to everyone without restrictions. Some left-libertarians are anarchists, asserting that no form of governmental authority is legitimate.

All political ideologies engage in internal debates regarding the extent of governmental intervention. Libertarianism typically advocates for significantly less government involvement—and government authority—than other competing viewpoints. The libertarian standard for evaluating any idea or institution is its impact on individual freedom and the fundamental rights of individuals. More than in most other political theories, discussions within libertarianism can lead to diverse viewpoints.

o Libertarians come to diametric conclusions about the same issue. For example,

• Concerning abortion, one libertarian might say any restriction is an illegitimate interference by the government. Another might argue that abortion is an act of violence against the unborn.

• Regarding drug use, some libertarians believe all substances should be legal to buy, sell, and consume. Others suggest unchecked drug use creates threats to safety and security.

• Concerning marriage, libertarians may prefer no benefits or restrictions beyond private religious recognition. Libertarians may also argue the contrary: that promoting the best, most natural child-rearing arrangement is necessary for the survival of society.

• Some libertarians support using tax dollars for infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and fire departments. Others prefer such things to be entirely privatized, paid for only by those who want to benefit from them.

Biblically, libertarianism finds both support and boundaries. People are ultimately accountable to God, not the government «Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. », (Hebrews 4:13). Regardless of the laws of the land, each person has an obligation to do what is right in God’s eyes (Acts 4:29;1 Corinthians 10:13). Scripture is full of cautionary tales about human government, including God’s own warning about the intrinsic dangers of being subject to earthly kings (1 Samuel 8:10-17). A Christian may lean libertarian due to libertarianism’s emphasis on personal rights. Many Christian libertarians argue that even a “good” government empowered to enforce Christian ideals can just as easily pProsecute those ideals later on. Such believers seek the freedom to live a life honoring God without government coercion or interference (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

At the same time, Scripture says that human government is established by God to curb human sin (Romans 13:1-4). In every culture, some behaviors are legal, even though they are recognized as harmful—often to the person who participates in that behavior. Immorality is not merely a question of crime and punishment but of the relationship between a culture and God. When certain sins are left unchecked, the results for a culture can be disastrous. In practice, there is no such thing as “private sin”; all sin eventually affects others. If the laws of a society reflect nothing of God’s truth, that society can’t expect to function properly (Proverbs 14:34;Proverbs 29:2).

There is nothing in the Bible forbidding a Christian from being a libertarian. Nor does Scripture demand believers adhere to libertarianism. Deciding where to draw boundaries around the government’s role is part of our Christian liberty. It’s an issue each believer needs to prayerfully and carefully consider.