Biblical View on Issues

Front Page Article
"The Lenses of Reformation Concerning Biblical Use of Power"
by Dr. Patti Amsden

Authority is the right to act while power is the force by which an action can be accomplished. Authority is official in nature and is, therefore, legitimate. Power may not always be legitimately exercised. A man carrying a gun may not be licensed or trained to use a gun, therefore he may not have authority. The nature of a gun is a power weapon and, therefore, the man carrying has access to power. The unauthorized gun carrier may not have the authority to control the actions of another, but he has the power to so. Elected officials possess delegated authority that is derived from the populace and from the office to which they have been elected. Each office also has designated power assigned by the constitution and job description.
Reformation lens #1 – Authority, which is the right to control, and power, which is the ability to enforce both authority and control, must work in legitimate cooperation one with another.

Both authority and power must be service based. According to scripture, those empowered over others must use their actions to bring benefit, prosperity, freedom, and blessings to those who are under the influence of the one in power (Mt. 20:26-28; 23:11). Parents are to govern, guide, and provide for their children so as to release them into their full potential and adulthood. The five-fold ministry leaders are to equip and mature believers for the kingdom work into which the Christian has been called. Business leaders are to provide a platform for their employees to exercise their talents and training and from which to obtains financial and earthly rewards.
Reformation lens #2 – The concept of governing is based upon serving others and empowering others rather than using those under one’s authority for personal advantage.

Authority and power must be motivated by love. Love recognizes the image of God in others and treats each person with the dignity and value God has placed upon them. Although authority, power, or position my vary from person to person, the non-biased treatment of all persons is outlined within the commandments and must be observed. Love is concerned with the universal rights and welfare of others. Love does not promote self-interest at the expense of another nor does it unrighteously use power or authority to usurp the rights of those being ruled. Reformation lens #3 – Love makes power safe.

As Reformers, we must understand that God is not afraid to distribute His power. God has an infinite source of power and is never diminished when He gives it away. He does not maintain His control by hoarding His power. He calls people, gives them gifts, sets them in positions, and shares His authority with them. Scripture admonishes man to do likewise. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:3-8, NIV).

Everyone has some power and some authority. Everyone can rule over someone and seek to advance his or her position at the expense of another or can choose to train, teach, assist, and empower the other person into becoming more or attaining more. This axiomatic truth is applicable at every level of society, and it is especially important when applied to those in positions of authority in the civil realm. When a civil servant ceases to be a servant and, instead, operates in self-serving lordship over the populace, that civil magistrate deserves to be divested of both authority and power by being voted out of office.