No King but Christ and Rethinking the State - Craig Harguess
Craig Harguess, host of the Bad Roman Podcast, is on Christianity Without Compromise with host Jake Doberenz to discuss why Christians must reject the idol of the state and follow Jesus alone. Craig shares his personal journey from neoconservatism to a complete rejection of political allegiance. He outlines how Christians often outsource their moral responsibility to politicians, the incompatibility between state violence and the Sermon on the Mount, and the practical implications of living with no king but Christ. We remind listeners that loving one another does not require a government institution. What does it mean to live with no king but Christ? Can Christians pursue justice apart from the government?
Key Takeaways:
True allegiance to Jesus requires disentangling from state systems, which operate through violence, coercion, and theft—opposite to the love-centered teachings of Christ.
Voting often functions as moral outsourcing—a way Christians try to enact values through coercive state power rather than personal action.
The early church universally rejected political allegiance, embracing pacifism and declaring that “Jesus is King” meant Caesar—and all earthly rulers—were not.
Important Links:
The Bad Roman Project: thebadroman.com
The Bad Roman Salsa: badromansalsa.com
“The Early Church and the Foundations of Voluntaryism (Christian-Anarchism)” blog post: https://www.thebadroman.com/blog/the-early-church-and-the-foundations-of-voluntaryism-christian-anarchism
Guest Bio
Craig Harguess is the founder of the Bad Roman Project and host of the Bad Roman Podcast. A former neoconservative, Craig’s political awakening led him to embrace the radical teachings of Jesus and reject all state allegiances. His work challenges Christians to live with undivided loyalty to Christ over country.
SEE ALSO:
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Get full access to Smashing Idols: Stories & Reflections on Following Jesus at jakedoberenz.substack.com/subscribe
