Three r's of delegated authority
posted Friday, August 5, 2005 :: 8:23 AM
According to the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, “authority” means:
legal
power, or a right to command or to act; as the authority of a prince
over subjects, and of parents over children. Power; rule; sway.
Thus what we have all known from childhood, that authorities have rights: the right to command, the right to be respected, and the right to be obeyed. But that is not all. Authorities also have responsibilities, and restrictions.
For all human authority is delegated authority from God
and is not absolute. Delegated authorities have a God-given purpose for
existing, and their purpose frames their responsibilities. The
responsibilities of delegated authority always involves service: for
delegated authorities exist to serve those under them, and not to be served by those under them.
Every
delegated authority also has restrictions placed on the extent of their
authority, that they may not trespass the rights of those they serve,
or the responsibilities of the other authorities. As we examine each of
the three human authorities delegated by God: familial, ecclesiastical,
and societal, and the Scriptures admonishing them of their rights,
responsibilities and restrictions -- the three r’s of delegated
authority -- the fact that responsibilities and restrictions exist will
become established.
to be continued ...
***
Update: continued in Leaving and cleaving: family authority, part one
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