The Biblical Use of Authority in Church Leadership
What was authority intended to look like among the followers of Christ, and how does that differ from what we see today? This thesis seeks to uncover a Scriptural understanding of authority in the church. We will look into the use of the Greek word exousia (“authority”) in the New Testament, and especially in 2 Corinthians 10:8, 13:10. These passages are part of a series of letters between Paul and a church that had been rather on and off in its submission to his guidance and authority—being swayed by other leaders to criticize his actions. Paul’s description of authority—especially within the context of the situations between him and the Corinthian church—will shed a lot of light on the broader questions I have about the use of authority in the church.
The hope is to uncover how exactly Paul used his apostolic position of authority in relation to the churches under his care, and how this sets an example for all others who find themselves in positions of church authority. This is most relevant to those in leadership positions who, like myself, want to best serve the church and avoid causing the type of damage we see all too often with mishandled authority, but it also holds importance for those under authority—that they might be able to discern healthy uses of authority from unhealthy and hold their leaders accountable.
CM 499, Senior Capstone
David Reed
L203
11:30 AM – Noon