One of the realiziations that I have run across when I was discussing the concepts in the posts on Structures of Authority with “egalitarians” is the implicit notion that authority is bad and equality is good.

If we implicitly hold “equality” to be an ideal, then this necessarily assumes that authority is bad. You can’t have it any other way.

Unfortunately, this is obviously proved incorrect.

  • The triune God — Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit — exists as 3 in 1 and has a clearly defined authority structure within Himself — Father > Son > Holy Spirit.
  • God is good.
  • God, who is perfect, cannot contradict Himself.
  • Therefore, authority which is of God and in God is good.

Prior to the fall, we know that God gave man authority over three different aspects of creation which was good:

  1. Man (humans) > animals
  2. Man (humans) > earth
  3. Husbands > wives

Ironically, the only one treated as “bad” is that of husbands > wives.

Post fall, we know that there are multiple structures that God delegates to earthly authorities in the Scriptures that are good.

  • God > Earthly authotiries > Christians
  • Father sends Jesus to die for our sins
  • Jesus delegates/sends Holy Spirit to believers
  • Holy Spirit > husbands > wives
  • Husbands > wives > children, and also parents > children
  • God > God inspired Scripture > Pastors (elders/overseers) > church (or flock)

Arguing with anyone with implicitly wrong assumptions will always result in failure. If they assume that “equality” is what is inherently good and thus by the same measure that “authority” is inherently bad, then they will never understand the nature of God. If they don’t understand the nature of God, then they will be prone to rebellion irregardless of logic.

I believe the reason why “equality” is held as the gold standard, aside from the insidious creep of feminism, is that “equality” is meant to be as an equivalent to “unity.” God definitely desires unity between all Christians, and desires that all may be saved that they may also enter into unity with Him.

However, unity and equality are not the same thing. We know that the triune God, perfect in His 3 in 1 unity, is also perfect in His authority (Father > Son > Holy Spirit), and by that nature He is also perfect in love and goodness.

Therefore, we base our assumptions not on equality but on authority. We base our hopes not on equality but unity. And we know that which brings together unity and authority is God whose banner is love and goodness.

This is the paradigm shift that is needed to truly understand Christianity. I will be exploring the different paradigms in upcoming posts.