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I think we all know that “authority” is not a word we’re particularly fond of unless we are the ones that have it. As humans, our pride makes us want to have control, power, and authority, even though we often don’t want the burden of responsibility that comes with it. This culture exists as much within the Church as it does everywhere else. Godly men and women in leadership positions are led astray by their need to keep whatever control they think they have (I say it that way because almost all control is an illusion anyway). The consequences of this problem, including but not limited to major divisions in the Church, can extend for many years. It is sad that we must face this reality considering that the Apostle Paul clearly tells us that “Christ is the head (singular) of the church” (Ephesians 5:23).

Here’s the thing about any type of authority: It always belongs to the author! Did you ever think about the fact that “authority” obviously has the same origin as “author”? I’m guessing you haven’t because in our culture, the two words are used in different contexts. But in fact, they both originate from the Latin auctor meaning “creator” or “originator”. Therefore, authority belongs first and foremost to the creator of whatever it is we are talking about, and then secondarily to those who accurately carry out the design of the creator. Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball. People with present authority can tweak some of the rules, but no one except James Naismith would really have the authority to change the fundamentals of the game (i.e. shooting at a hoop, dribbling, defending). Founders/owners of businesses don’t have to ask anyone when they can take a vacation or how much they can charge, but I do because I work for an employer. The founding fathers of the United States established laws as they saw fit, and this is why it’s a shame to see anytime our present lawmakers are not consistent with our founding fathers, regardless of which political side it is.

While the preceding examples are not necessarily related to the Bible, the same concept is true with Biblical authority. God is not only the Creator of the Bible, but also of those whom He used to physically write it, and of those who read it! So, simply put, God has authority over the writing, reading, and applying of His Word. We have NO AUTHORITY to change it or tweak it, only to carry it out if we are consistent with the design of its original Creator. When we try to make it say something that it does not say in order to fit OUR design, we are usurping authority that is not given to us and we will suffer the consequences. Well-known examples of this would include justifying slavery, polygamy, abuse, homosexuality, and oppression.

God is not only the originator of the Bible, but also of the very faith that we have. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 [NIV]). As Christians, we must remember with humility the origin of not only our authority, but also the very faith that we profess. With this in mind, how can we ever be arrogant in our dealings with others? How can we not be compassionate, knowing that what we have was given to us out of love? How can we not speak truth, knowing that to tweak it to our liking removes all legitimate authority ever given to us by the One who wrote it? I challenge you to consider these questions as you think about your handling of the Bible.