BASIC BIBLE STUDIES
# 006
The Authority in Religion
(Part 1)
In today's study we address one of the most fundamentally important matters
necessary to a right relationship with God--one that lies at the heart of
establishing and maintaining such a relationship--and yet, ironically, one
of the most controversial and emotionally charged subjects that could be
discussed--that of religious authority.
If you do not think this is an emotionally charged subject, check out your
own feelings when these two words--"religious/religion" and "authority"--are
used together. See what I mean? The very idea that anything smacking of
"authority" should be connected with "religion" is felt to be completely out
of place. We live in an age when the concept of there being anything
normative and regulative about religious beliefs and practices is almost
totally rejected.
Yet, in spite of the different notions people have regarding this subject,
and in spite of the emotions that frequently get in the way of a rational
discussion of the subject, it is necessary that such a discussion take
place. In every field of study and in every realm of human activity the
question of authority must be addressed and resolved. Society cannot
function effectively without the recognition of certain standards and the
necessity of complying with those standards. The area of religion is no
different.
In the field of human government we recognize the importance of authority.
In the United States we have a Constitution, and executive, legislative, and
judicial branches of government working together to insure that our citizens
are able to live free and productive lives. We have officers of the law to
protect the innocent and to punish the guilty. God authorized the function
of human government (Romans 13:1-7).
In the area of trade and commerce we understand the need for authority.
Business cannot be transacted without such. What constitutes a standard
foot, yard, gallon, and pound? Each merchant is not left to determine this
for himself, is he? Our government has a Bureau of Weights and Measurements
that guarantees that correct standards are followed.
Operating a motor vehicle on the streets and highways requires the
recognition of certain rules. Every driver is not free to operate her motor
vehicle in whatever manner may suit her.
Even athletic contests require rules and regulations (a standard of
authority) by which the contest will be played. Imagine the confusion that
would result if there were no rules regulating a football, baseball, or
basketball game, and no one with the authority to see that the rules were
followed. (You heard about the fellow who attended a fight, and a Hockey
game broke out, didn't you?) Even the apostle Paul used athletic contests
to illustrate the importance of "playing by the rules" when he wrote: "And
if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes
according to the rules" (II Timothy 2:5, New King James Version).
When it comes to the all-important matter of religion and one's relationship
with God, the necessity of a standard of authority is all the more
important. Yet, strangely, many people do not seem to understand this.
Think for a moment: why is there so much religious and moral confusion in
the world today? Is it not because the correct standard of authority in
religion is not recognized and followed? To better appreciate the right
standard of religious authority, perhaps we need to take a look at some of
the wrong standards of religious authority.
1. Each person is not his own authority. One of the saddest statements in
the Old Testament is found in Judges 21:25: "In those days there was no king
in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." A study of the
moral and religious conditions of Israel will reveal that those were some of
the most corrupt times in their history. Later, the prophet Jeremiah cried
out: "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who
walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). We are in need of a
higher power than ourselves to live as we should.
2. The creeds and catechisms of men are not the authority. None of these
bears the imprint of divine inspiration. At best they are but the
collective wisdom of men at a given point in time. The Scriptures declare
that "the world by wisdom did not know God" (I Corinthians 1:21). In spite
of this, many people put their trust in the edicts of men rather than in the
word of God. They
have left their religious beliefs and practices up to the decisions of
church councils, conclaves, and synods. They are willing to take the word
of church officials as to what they are to believe and practice. Christ
warned: "This people draws near to Me with their mouth, and honors Me with
their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8-9).
3. Family members and family religious traditions are not the authority.
One of the quickest ways to make a person angry is to question his or her
family's religious beliefs. But becoming angry should never be the reaction
of one who wants to discover and do the will of the Heavenly Father. Jesus
said: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And
he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew
10:37).
4. The conscience of a person is not the authority. It is commonly held by
many wonderful and sincere people that it really does not matter what one's
specific religious beliefs and practices may be as long as he/she is
conscientious in those beliefs and practices. Yet, before he became a
Christian, Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul) persecuted
Christians, even consenting to the death of Stephen, the first Christian
martyr (Acts 7:58 - 8:3). In spite of these heinous acts, Paul--following
his conversion--could nevertheless affirm: "...I have lived in all good
conscience before God until this day" (Acts 23:1). Thus, though he had a
good conscience when he persecuted the saints of God, his good conscience
did not make his actions right. Similarly, today, one may sincerely believe
and practice things in religion that are not approved of God. Conscience
can only approve of what one thinks is right, not that which
necessarily is right.
With these erroneous concepts of religious authority removed, we will, in
our next study, examine the correct standard of authority in religion.
If this essay has blessed you, feel free to forward it to others who may
benefit from it.
Hugh Fulford