Identifying Spiritual Authority

[NeitherFirstnorLast]

Originally Posted by OBW

When it comes to viewing individuals, we should always remember that no man or woman is perfect. On any given day, at any given time, in any given set of circumstances, anyone is capable of acting outside of the grace given. And in certain terms, that could have ramifications concerning "authority." But we have all been given the charge, and therefore authority, to preach the gospel at some level. Just because I did not have my normal "quiet time" this morning does not relieve me of my charge to preach....

....I wonder if maybe the truth about authority is that we are all authorized to do the things that are according to our gifts for the benefit of the body and that most of us do not have the gift of discerning whether another's gift is being used efficiently, properly, and/or at all. In other words, the most important thing about spiritual authority is that I take what is given to me (i.e., God has authorized me concerning) and use it. And realize that all gifts are not my gifts. And others' gifts are not my gifts. And that my gifts are not others' gifts.

Amen! Brother, I don't think I can add to that!

As for whether or not understanding spiritual authority is about trying to second guess everyone else... I don't think so, although perhaps it depends upon the reason for which the person asks the question. It came to mind for me to post this topic because one of the persons on this site was claiming spiritual authority for themselves - and they wrote: "the Word defines me as one with authority". In a sense, the Word does - but in what sense does It?

[OBW]

Originally Posted by NeitherFirstnorLast

Amen! Brother, I don't think I can add to that!

As for whether or not understanding spiritual authority is about trying to second guess everyone else... I don't think so, although perhaps it depends upon the reason for which the person asks the question. It came to mind for me to post this topic because one of the persons on this site was claiming spiritual authority for themselves - and they wrote: "the Word defines me as one with authority". In a sense, the Word does - but in what sense does It?

I understand the context. And I fear that there is a willful desire to not even consider that it might not be correct. I note that with respect to any direct challenges over the time to the ones (there are actually two) who take that position, there is nothing in response that would suggest that they even considered them, but rather threw an alternate challenge back. I have only continued to comment periodically for the express purpose of being sure that anyone lurking, especially only occasionally, does not get the impression that these ramblings are accepted as reasonable or true.

We can be fairly sure that there is no scripture that grants the authority that they have taken for themselves. And I note that they seem to take it primarily from Revelation, the one place that mentions something about not adding to the revelation. (I'm not sure that was intended to mean that there can actually not be more scripture, but it is a popular way to use it.)

But I like to come back to the observation that if God really is who he says he is, and he has told us some of it in the scripture that we have, anything that we think beyond that, whether from a "personal word from God," or from what anyone writes or says (whether as a suggestion, or as these guys do, claiming to be adding to scripture) needs to be consistent with what we already know from the scripture we already have. I really don't need to decide whether there is some special definition of spiritual authority that someone can lay claim to. I just need to look at their fruit, and in this case, read what they claim God says. Since it disagrees with what I already know about God from scripture and from the healthy teaching that I have received over many years, I have cause to reject their teaching, and to refuse them the right to be a teacher.

Now within the assembly I am part of, it is not my role to refuse them to teach. But I can reject their words anyway. And still get along with the rest of the assembly. (Not saying these guys have ever been to Irving, TX, or that anyone in my assembly has ever heard a word they say.)

[OBW]

I think that a different way to say what I just said is that I believe that there is spiritual authority. But I think that dealing with it is more about seeing what is not rather than defining what is.

Like defining what will be the acceptable teaching. We might be able to lay some general framework for proper teaching, but it either has to be very broad, or we risk excluding much sound teaching due to our own limitations. But when something is said that seems problematic, we should be willing to at least ask the question. A little like Kirk did in that Star Trek movie when he asked why god needed a starship. The first response of many was to say "you don't question God." But you should question the "god" that needs a starship.

In this case, question the man who claims that he has authority to write new scripture. Not because he claims authority as much as the fact that he writes "scripture" that redefines God and truth. I could ignore someone who claimed to write scripture if they at least wrote true things. But there are a lot of people out there looking for a guru. Another Lee.

[Scribe]

Originally Posted by OBW

I think that a different way to say what I just said is that I believe that there is spiritual authority. But I think that dealing with it is more about seeing what is not rather than defining what is.

Like defining what will be the acceptable teaching. We might be able to lay some general framework for proper teaching, but it either has to be very broad, or we risk excluding much sound teaching due to our own limitations. But when something is said that seems problematic, we should be willing to at least ask the question. A little like Kirk did in that Star Trek movie when he asked why god needed a starship. The first response of many was to say "you don't question God." But you should question the "god" that needs a starship.

In this case, question the man who claims that he has authority to write new scripture. Not because he claims authority as much as the fact that he writes "scripture" that redefines God and truth. I could ignore someone who claimed to write scripture if they at least wrote true things. But there are a lot of people out there looking for a guru. Another Lee.

To find spiritual authority is a matter of brokenness in the heart of the seeker. We live in a world that is overruled by Satan. The whole world lies in the evil one. Nevertheless, all authority comes from the Lord. Even Satans authority is deligated by the Lord. The Lords way is to take His people in hand and bless them and then break them. In His breaking we can see authority in all men. We seek out authority in men and use it as covering to advance. And when obedience under that covering is mature the covering also becomes a ransom for advance. Since all men have authority we only need to seek it out. Even a forty year old man can find authority in a five year old and be covered in it. How? By name. The names the Lord has called on men are all points of Authority. If a five year old is introduced to you as David, or as any name, you find authority there by honoring according to the meaning of the name. When we are bowed under the points of authority found in men, then the men get dealt with as to how they wear and use their authority. O the Wisdom of the Name!

Scribe