Scriptural Authority vs Authoritarianism
A few years ago, in a Sunday morning sermon, I recalled a story told by one of our members in the Sunday Morning Forum class. She told of a person in her former church who asked if her husband was a new Christian. Of course, he had been a Christian for many years, but the question was prompted because on that Sunday he did not wear a suit to church. The assumption was that not to wear a suit was to show immaturity in the faith.
We were amused by the story and we wondered where people get such ideas. They believe they are more spiritual or better Christians than others because of what they wear or other things they do, and they judge others inferior if they don’t meet their standards. We needn’t look too far for the source of these erroneous teachings, for as they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The tree in this case is a pastor who teaches the church in ways that promote his power over them. This is termed spiritual abuse.
This definition of spiritual abuse was given in an article I read recently: “Spiritual abuse occurs when an oppressor establishes control and domination using scripture, doctrine, or their leadership role as a weapon.” This is the methodology of rules-oriented ministries. They misuse scripture and develop doctrines to enforce leadership positions. This enables them to maintain control over their congregation.
The spiritually abusive pastor over emphasizes authority. He is an authoritarian whose reach often penetrates the relationship between husbands and wives. In this way, the pastor rules the family. As he rules the family, so he rules the church. This authority is taken by virtue of the office he occupies such as when Jesus said the scribes and Pharisees “sit in Moses’ seat.”
In this amusing yet all too common story, the pastor establishes rules to keep the standard he wants to enforce. Not to obey the pastor is to be judged an inferior Christian. The worst forms of this are when people are convinced Christ loves them more or loves less depending upon their performance. They are taught God is pleased or displeased according to their ability to keep the rules. This is a terrible misuse of scripture, of sanctification, and of salvation itself. Yes, it is true God wants obedience and He surely blesses our lives because of it. No, it is not true these blessings are guaranteed by keeping the laws that are power plays by the preacher. Neither does God love them because they keep these laws or any others. God loves us because of Christ. He sees us in Christ, and nothing increases or diminishes His love for us. He loves us because of what Christ did, not what we do. This is fundamental to understanding salvation.
When spiritual abusers attack weak Christians by misusing scripture, it seems the attack comes from God. If the pastor sits in “Moses’ seat,” we respect his use of the word because we think it is the word of God. I remember a similar type story of spiritual abuse. When some members decided to leave the church, the pastor visited them and tried to convince them—even ordered them to stay. They were told they would be severely chastised for leaving and God’s judgment would be on them. After they refused to heed the pastor, he promptly went to the door and shuffled his feet on the doormat, telling them he was shaking off the dust of his feet against them. Does this sound like the pastor had heartfelt concern for their spiritual welfare, or was he angry because his authority was defied?
Intimidation is the method of cults. God forbid that Baptist churches would use the tactics of cults. Yet sadly, the cult of personality and authoritarianism is alive and well in many independent fundamental Baptist churches. I am sad to report they are seriously ethically challenged because of misuse of scripture and unbiblical authority.
Beware of these practices and understand your liberty in Christ. The church is a mutual body of fellowship. This involves the pastor’s respect for the members as well as their respect for the pastor.
Pastor V. Mark Smith