Paula

Actually, we do have an Authority… it just isn’t human. 😉

We have the NT which is “the teachings of the apostles”, and we have the Spirit. While many believe anarchy would be the result of doing away with all hierarchy in the church, I would disagree. As noted, Paul served, as did Jesus of course. They laid down the rules: the “one anothers”. In this there is no anarchy.

There are those who are gifted to protect from false teachings, and the writer of Hebrews tells us it is wise to follow their advice. And we are to emulate the examples lived out by the apostles and those who are like them, copying their lives and learning from their wisdom. This is not leadership by decree but by example, and there is no need for authority.

I would ask: what exactly would this “anarchy” look like anyway? What would people be doing without authorities over them? My guess is that instead of anarchy, what many leaders fear is loss of control over others– that were never theirs in the first place.

In a message board someone was listing the abuses of the obvious hucksters selling the “gospel” for profit. But I added:

Sadly, though, and truth to tell, most churches and pastors are only different by degree. They elevate one gift of the Spirit and turn it into an office of authority. They think themselves “the priesthood” even though we all are. They call their temples “the storehouse” even though Gentiles never had such a thing. They demand a “tithe” even though the NT never commands such a thing. They make up rules about dress, magical coverings, flesh-based “ministry”, and a host of other ever-changing rules that would make the Pharisees green with envy. They turn the Body into the Business and completely ignore “not so among you”.

It’s time for not a reform or revival but a revolution! Back to “your body is the temple”, “not so among you”, “submit to one another”, back to scripture and not the doctrines of people or demons, back to family and community instead of religious ritual. Let us be the community we were meant to be, and interact in each other’s lives instead of visiting near strangers once a week as if we’re visiting a relative in a nursing home. Let us sink our teeth into the meat of the Word instead of nibbling on the crumbs of philosophy and pet theological systems, pre-digested for us by “clergy”. Let us learn to recognize those who both have mastered the scriptures and live its precepts, and follow their examples.

We say Christianity isn’t a religion but we don’t practice what we preach. We act like every other religion: buildings, clergy/laity, rituals. For the first 200 years of Christianity there were no temples, no props, no liturgical calendars, no elevated priests. And the Assembly was pure; it “turned the world upside down”– without committees, without boards of oversight, without fundraisers, without advertising, without youth programs, without nurseries, and without any of the other trappings of religion.

A salvation that cannot stand alone but must leach its life from others is not the victorious living promised to those who have accepted reconciliation with God through the shed blood of the crucified and risen Lord. We should get together and build each other up, but then go out and be salt and light. Salt is not all poured out in one spot, nor do we take our food to it and dip it (i.e., bring the lost to “church” and hope they catch something). Salt is shaken, it is spread out, and each grain is to season and preserve wherever it is sent. We need to return to that.

Let’s get out of our safe little monasteries and change the world!