And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, "All
authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Matthew 28:18
In this verse Jesus claims to be the possessor of all
authority. So from where does human authority derive? How is it that a human
authority can justly place any restrictions on us, if it is Jesus who has all
authority? The answer is, of course, through delegation.
A shop owner might be said to have all authority, over his
business. Yet, he might delegate certain authority to some employees. Perhaps
one is authorized to make up the work schedule for part time employees and to
approve of overtime when the owner is absent and the store is very busy.
However, this same employee is not given authority in other areas. For example,
he cannot hire someone new or hand out pay raises. When authority is delegated,
it is delegated within defined areas, and remains under the higher authority of
the one who delegates it.
This concept of clearly defined areas of delegation is
essential to determining the difference between just rule and tyranny. If a
ruler makes a claim to have authority over others in a certain area, he must
show how that authority has been derived.
The Scriptures do make some direct statements of authority
and responsibility. In Romans 13 there are statements affirming the right of
the civil government to wield the sword and compel taxes to accomplish their
work. Deuteronomy 6 places the responsibility to educate children with parents.
The pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus, and Jesus’ instructions in Matthew
18 directly give responsibility and authority to church leaders.
At other times, instruction is less direct. The civil laws
for Israel do
not necessarily apply directly to the laws of other nations at other times, but
the principles they teach do apply. For example, Deuteronomy 22:8 says that
when new houses are built, a parapet, or a fence must be built around it so
there might not be guilt brought upon the family if someone falls from it.
Certainly there is little need for American law to require fences around all our
roofs, as we have, in most cases, pitched roofs and we are not in the habit of
sleeping or dining on them. Even though the law does not apply directly in our
case, the principle behind it does. Civil governments wishing to impose laws
about deck railings, swimming pool fences, or barriers around construction
sites can point to this law and demonstrate that civil governments have the
authority to require property owners to protect people from hazards.
Applying the principles of delegated specific authority can
clarify many questions about the justice of laws and rules within church and
civil governments. The church has the authority to judge immoral behavior. Yet
if a church body requires a standard of behavior where the Scriptures give
freedom, they have become tyrannical on that point. Likewise, the civil
government has been charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and
property of the people. When it claims authority where it has not been
delegated, it, too, has become tyrannical on that point. Sometimes they do this
as they take responsibility for areas with which other governments are charged
(For example they may take education from the family and caring for the poor
from families and churches.), and in some cases they attempt to rule where God
has given no man authority over another, such as judging the thoughts in
so-called hate crimes.
By remembering the boundaries within which Jesus Christ has
delegated human authority, we can avoid capricious and sinful intrusion into
the lives, liberty and property of the people so they might be free to serve
God in the callings in which He has placed them.
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