Christ teaches us that every earthly authority is a steward, a manager, whose authority is a delegated to him from above. This is true of kings, judges, church leaders, husbands, parents, school administrators, business owners- every earthly authority is a delegated authority. Everyone has a master over them; everyone has a boss to whom they … Continue reading How to be a *boss*
authority
The separation of church and politics
By now, it's a familiar notion that churches and ministers should avoid politics. In my estimation, it's an artificial constraint of the gospel, but it's certainly a well-known artificial constraint. It has been common for churches to avoid weighing in on politics, preferring to stick to more obvious elements of the gospel. (What is obvious … Continue reading The separation of church and politics
Scriptural authority in marriage
One of the categories of life in which Christians can pursue God's design is marriage. You can go here for an audio teaching God's design for marriage. One thing we saw in that exploration of the topic is that American Christians have been guilty of ignoring and belittling God's design for marriage, and have gone … Continue reading Scriptural authority in marriage
Spheres of Authority
I want to use today's post to lay out the concept of spheres of authority. It explains the response of the Jews when questioned by Nebuchadnezzar, but it also explains much more. The primary purpose of acknowledging the concept of spheres of authority is recognizing the limits. The only individual with an unlimited sphere of … Continue reading Spheres of Authority
King issues decree; receives ultimatum
Today let's look at another instance in which God endorses disobedience to a civil authority. The record is of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the burning, fiery furnace. Or rather, how they got themselves tossed into that furnace. The quick version is that the king of Babylon ordered them to worship an idol, they refused … Continue reading King issues decree; receives ultimatum
You don’t scare God
Yesterday I wrote about how Jesus avoided arrest. The law enforcement officers were afraid to arrest him because “never man spake like this man.” The officers were right to hesitate at arresting the Son of God, not only because of the injustice of it, but because it might well have been dangerous for them! After … Continue reading You don’t scare God
Wanted for telling truth; Apostle skips town
I have wondered whether it is ever right for Christians to engage in civil disobedience, and if so, under what circumstances. This morning I've seen a clear example of such disobedience in the ministry of the apostle Paul. The apostle relates this event in the context of the suffering and weakness that characterized his own … Continue reading Wanted for telling truth; Apostle skips town
Seen a Great Light 