In the course I am teaching for Rockbridge Seminary, one of points of study is the idea of a minister as a slave. One of the students made a comment about authority, saying that post-moderns (post-modrnism describes how many in today's society think) bring with them a rejection of authority--both to propositional truths and to individuals in authority.
When I was in seminary, we had a leader in the community who worked with inner-city youth address our class. One sentence stood out to me. He said, "We try to teach these young people the importance of obedience (or submission) to legitimate authority." His point was that not everyone telling them to do something was in a position of legitimate authority. (This idea is also good to teach children that they do not always have to obey their elders. Then they can be instructed in ways that would protect them from child abuse.) On the other hand, there is such a thing as legitimate authority. The man who assured Jesus that he knew his child would be healed said that he knew that would happen because "I am a man under authority." He actually, however, was also a man who commanded many people under him.
Post-moderns would do well to learn that propositional truths expressed in Scripture are legitimate words of authority (their natural bent, hopefully would help them not to get caught up in this in leagalistic ways, however--or maybe we woud need to give instuction as to how to approach Scripture as an authoritative word without falling into legalism.)
Post-moderns would also do well to realize it is good to submit to proper authority in their lives. To be a servant is a good thing when it is not done in a cultic fashion. Figuring out what or who is legitimate authority is sometimes a challenge for all of us. Yet, who would have had a greater opportunity to struggle with this than Jesus, Himself, when he was on this earth? One of the most profound statements in Scripture is found where it says (after Joseph and Mary found him as a young boy in the temple talking with the teachers of the Law) that he went back to Nazareth and was subject unto them! He was subject unto them even though He knew more than they did! He was subject unto them even though they were sinful and He was not (imagine that challenge)!
Christ's example shows us that when we are under legitimate authority, we should be subject to that legitimate authority even if we know more than they do. (Jesus had all knowledge.) Further, His example shows us that when we are under legitmate authority, we should be subject to that legitimate authority even if we are farther along spiritually than the one over us us. (Jesus was sinless.) (Disclaimer: this does not eliminate the chance to appeal to the authority over you, nor does it mean to follow someone who would lead you in direct opposition to God and His Word.) The balance is to follow where you can and when you can.
(Hey, there's a message in there somewhere--I've given you two points. A third I used when I gave a message on this subject was that we all need to be subject to the Lord when we respond to Him in the area of salvation. Feel free to take these ieas and run with them :).)
The class's comments just got me to thinking about post-moderns and our discussion of the minister as slave.
Do you have any insights about how to balance our need to be in subjection to earthly authorities and our need to not be led astray?
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