LMB

Kay,

My heart is really with you. I’ve not been in any hierarchical system where I didn’t receive abuse of one kind or another. (Obviously I’m only talking about human hierarchies here.) But I’m still struggling because I think the hiers. would agree that Jesus has all authority, and then go on to claim that he delegates it to certain ones chosen by him (husbands, pastors, elders, etc) and that all the rest of us just have to submit or obey. They can appeal to verses like these:

Romans 13:1-5
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Titus 3:1
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.

And by Cheryl’s principle of two witnesses, if it’s in their twice it must be right. FWIW, those sermons of MacArthurs on the curse definitely seem to take this view.

So I’m still fighting cognitive dissonance. My first thought is that these are secular government authorities, not believers taking authority over each other.

Can anybody help me out on this one?