Practice of Deputy Authority in the Bible

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Nell

Good question.

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

It seems to me that if Christian leaders concern themselves with deputy authority, especially to the extent that Nee did, then Lee, then the LSM/LC, this could be among the first indications that something is not right. Something is fundamentally wrong. I experienced it first-hand.

First off, sorry to hear about what happened to you. Such a blatant abuse of authority can be utterly devastating. It really goes to show how ugly the abuse of authority can get.

My perspective on why so many want to adhere to the teaching on deputy authority is because they have been convinced that it’s a solution to a problem, or a protection from a problem. Quite often I heard brothers talk about how “rebellious” our nature is, or how fallen we are. I never though much of them saying these things, but in retrospect, it was them establishing a problem of humans having a particularly rebellious nature.

While people are naturally rebellious to a certain extent, I think the LC teaching blew it out of proportion, making it into a much bigger problem that it actually was. As a result, it lead to the notion that everyone needs to be under an authority. Thus, the door was opened for leaders to start exerting authority with little to no resistance by members.

When you look at LC members, I don’t see many at all who have a problem with authority. So where is the big problem? Why do they need to be under such a teaching on authority? Since the problem isn’t there to begin with, so the whole system works off of members with misconceived notions about authority.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

When you look at LC members, I don’t see many at all who have a problem with authority. So where is the big problem? Why do they need to be under such a teaching on authority? Since the problem isn’t there to begin with, so the whole system works off of members with misconceived notions about authority.

The "problem" existed because LSM leadership was corrupt, and had much to hide, needing to preempt anyone who might call out for righteousness.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

The "problem" existed because LSM leadership was corrupt, and had much to hide, needing to preempt anyone who might call out for righteousness.

Or seeks to learn the other side of the coin; the side they want kept hidden. Otherwise it would be very exposing to their reputations. Image is everything.
As a result anyone who seeks to know the other side of the turmoils is put out of their fellowship.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Freedom

My perspective on why so many want to adhere to the teaching on deputy authority is because they have been convinced that it’s a solution to a problem, or a protection from a problem. Quite often I heard brothers talk about how “rebellious” our nature is, or how fallen we are. I never though much of them saying these things, but in retrospect, it was them establishing a problem of humans having a particularly rebellious nature.

Thank you.

I believe deputy authority is a faithless teaching. A teaching manufactured by fallen men who don't have enough faith in our living Lord Jesus to let him be the Lord of our lives, or their own lives. It's not their job.

Hebrews 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Nell

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Nell

Thank you.

I believe deputy authority is a faithless teaching. A teaching manufactured by fallen men who don't have enough faith in our living Lord Jesus to let him be the Lord of our lives, or their own lives. It's not their job.

Nell

Great point, proven by the number of lawsuits Lee and LSM have filed.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Nell

I believe deputy authority is a faithless teaching. A teaching manufactured by fallen men who don't have enough faith in our living Lord Jesus to let him be the Lord of our lives, or their own lives. It's not their job.

I sense two complimentary sources for the deputy authority teaching. First is that, even though we crave freedom, we also want structure and security. We don't trust ourselves and want someone to tell us what to do. So all the hippies who fled the "square" denominations in the 1960s were like moths to the candle, for charmers like Lee. They soaked up his mantra of "poor, poor, Christianity" and how they were now out of the sheep pen and into the Good Land, into the pastures of plenty. Just call on Jesus and be one, and everything's fine. No more rules or regulations, just the Normal Christian Church Life.

The unholy twin of this desire to be led by the nose is the person who wakes up each morning convinced that the world would be a better place if everybody would just listen to them, and give them what they want. They're the leech who cries, "give, give!" and is never satisfied (Prov 30:15). Look at any HWFMR outline: full of phrases like "we should" and "we must" and "we have to" and "we need to". An unending stream of requirements which never can be satisfied.

I think Lee fit this profile to a "t". And voila! the teaching of deputy authority was born. The Deputy God - just do exactly what they say and everything will be fine. And in spite of their attempts to masquerade as being "God's humble little servant", if you hang around with them for long enough someone like RG (to Bill Mallon) will make it plain: "We do what we're told." Or MP (to awareness): "When I say 'blow your nose', you only ask me which nostril."

[awareness]

Originally Posted by aron

I sense two complimentary sources for the deputy authority teaching. First is that, even though we crave freedom, we also want structure and security. We don't trust ourselves and want someone to tell us what to do. So all the hippies who fled the "square" denominations in the 1960s were like moths to the candle, for charmers like Lee. They soaked up his mantra of "poor, poor, Christianity" and how they were now out of the sheep pen and into the Good Land, into the pastures of plenty. Just call on Jesus and be one, and everything's fine. No more rules or regulations, just the Normal Christian Church Life.

The unholy twin of this desire to be led by the nose is the person who wakes up each morning convinced that the world would be a better place if everybody would just listen to them, and give them what they want. They're the leech who cries, "give, give!" and is never satisfied (Prov 30:15). Look at any HWFMR outline: full of phrases like "we should" and "we must" and "we have to" and "we need to". An unending stream of requirements which never can be satisfied.

I think Lee fit this profile to a "t". And voila! the teaching of deputy authority was born. The Deputy God - just do exactly what they say and everything will be fine. And in spite of their attempts to masquerade as being "God's humble little servant", if you hang around with them for long enough someone like RG (to Bill Mallon) will make it plain: "We do what we're told." Or MP (to awareness): "When I say 'blow your nose', you only ask me which nostril."

All the big corporations of the world are successful because they run from the top down. If you seek to build one you'll need to run your ship that way.

That is what Lee was doing; building a corporation. Yes he said it was organic, or an organism. That was the sales pitch. But make no mistake, to him, and LSM, it's a corporation (tax free). Don't support either one and you'll get fired. I got the boot over blowing my nose the wrong way.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by awareness

All the big corporations of the world are successful because they run from the top down. If you seek to build one you'll need to run your ship that way.

That is what Lee was doing; building a corporation. Yes he said it was organic, or an organism. That was the sales pitch. But make no mistake, to him, and LSM, it's a corporation (tax free). Don't support either one and you'll get fired. I got the boot over blowing my nose the wrong way.

It's too bad that Lee misrepresented what he was doing as being something "organic". Like you say, he was running a corporation, and it goes without saying that was interested in the success of his corporation.

I think that Lee was power hungry, and running a corporation provided fulfillment to him in that respect. That is just fine in the business world. There are plenty of power hungry people out there. Unfortunately for Lee, this is not what Jesus taught in regards to those who want power and authority.

Mark 10:41-44
And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Freedom

Unfortunately for Lee, this is not what Jesus taught in regards to those who want power and authority.

Jesus had power and authority over death, sin, Hades, sickness, pain, and suffering. None of these could withstand Him, but all gave way to the kingdom of God. Yet, interestingly, He didn't exercise authority over men. "Who made Me judge over you?", He asked when people requested His adjudication. See e.g. Luke 12:14.

It seems to me that people who lord it over others are trying to hide their inadequacies. So they want an earthly covering, instead of one which comes from above. Jesus said of such, "They have their reward. They seek the glory of men" See e.g. His extended homily in Matthew 6. Ultimately, WL got a gravestone more ornamental than his fellows, and got his testimony read into the Congressional Register (no doubt paid for by a fat donation to a Representative's re-election campaign). So WL got his reward, and he got what he was after.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by aron

Jesus had power and authority over death, sin, Hades, sickness, pain, and suffering. None of these could withstand Him, but all gave way to the kingdom of God. Yet, interestingly, He didn't exercise authority over men. "Who made Me judge over you?", He asked when people requested His adjudication. See e.g. Luke 12:14.

It seems to me that people who lord it over others are trying to hide their inadequacies. So they want an earthly covering, instead of one which comes from above. Jesus said of such, "They have their reward. They seek the glory of men" See e.g. His extended homily in Matthew 6. Ultimately, WL got a gravestone more ornamental than his fellows, and got his testimony read into the Congressional Register (no doubt paid for by a fat donation to a Representative's re-election campaign). So WL got his reward, and he got what he was after.

I think you bring up a good point. The authority that Jesus possessed was not expressed through controlling or domineering others. This is in contrast to how humans usually use authority. With Jesus, it was quite the opposite, yet people still recognized him as a man having authority (Matt 8:9).

I was considering the following passage in John 19:10-12 - Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

Between Jesus and Pilate, Jesus was the one who possessed far greater authority, however, he didn't see the need to make any particular display of that authority. In fact, he had remained silent to Pilate's questioning, and that bugged Pilate. Once Jesus did speak, I think that Pilate realized he was messing with something entirely out of his league. How did Pilate recognize Jesus' authority? It certainly wasn't because Jesus had been going around promoting himself as an authority figure.