Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
What you describe here are matters every human organization needs. There is nothing that distinguishes these examples from a meeting of Jews or of Libertarians or the PTA.
Parents are a good example, because the Bible specifically commends us to them. But Jesus also said to leave them and follow Him.
This follows the point I made about Christ being the paradigm shifter in regards to authority. Here's my thesis:
Humans need structures of authority, even delegated authority, UNLESS, they have access to and follow Christs direct demands.
Your examples raise the question of where the SOURCE of the authority comes. A group can delegate its collective authority and the. Choose to submit to it in a pre-defined sphere, such as care of a meeting hall or ushers in meeting. But this is a practical arrangement or "contract" for the sake outward stability.
"Delegated Authority" when it comes to interpreting the word or the spiritual health of individuals, marriages, gospel work, etc... Is VERY different.
Thoughts?
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My point is that if you have access to Christ's direct demands and follow them then you have acted as a delegated authority.
For example, I remember a story of a man in China, he was a believer. The Lord began bothering him tremendously till he had no choice but to signal time for the miners to come up at the end of the shift, even though the shift didn't end for another hour. When they came up they were outraged, he was fired on the spot, and then the mine exploded. He had saved everyone alive. He had acted as a "delegated authority" which he had trumped his human authority.
However, had the Lord not spoken to him and he had done that he would have been fired and maybe sent to the gulag.
Even though the Lord tells us to "leave our parents" the NT also teaches us to honor our parents, including the example set by Jesus.