The Abuse of Spiritual Authority in the Church
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- This lesson is the first session of the six-part video series: Experiencing and Recovery from Spiritual Abuse available in the course catalog by that name. This lesson examines the word translated as authority (exousia) in reference to leaders or believers having “authority over” one another in some way. Common proof texts used to justify believers “ruling over one another” are deconstructed as illegitimate interpretations and applications of the Biblical text. Jesus said the Gentiles rule over one another and it should not be so in the church. Well, how then does “authority” work in the church?
I found this info that goes along with what you said in video…..The term spiritual covering is usually used in the context of the Shepherding Movement, though it can have other meanings. In its primary context, having a spiritual covering means being submitted to the authority of another Christian believer. The concept is taken to mean that, for a person’s spiritual life and/or ministry to be valid in the eyes of God, the person or ministry must be under direct submission to a specific person. This might be an elder or pastor of a church, an older or more mature Christian, or some other authority figure. The idea that a “spiritual covering” is required was initially developed within the Charismatic movement. Today, it is sometimes associated with the New Apostolic Reformation and the Hebrew Roots movement.
According to the teaching of spiritual covering, Christians are not only accountable to God but also to their leaders and elders. For biblical backing, supporters of spiritual covering cite verses such as Ephesians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, and 1 Peter 5:5. In practice, the concept of spiritual covering makes an earthly authority figure an intercessor or a substitute for God in the life of the person or ministry that has the “covering.” This has led some Christians to consult their designated “shepherd” prior to making career or family decisions. In some cases, professing Christians have claimed that, given an apparent choice between obeying God or their shepherd, they would obey their earthly shepherd.
Naturally, this idea is not without controversy within Christianity. The teaching of spiritual covering has been the cause of various levels of authoritarian abuse. Several early proponents of the spiritual covering concept, such as Bob Mumford and Charles Simpson, have since distanced themselves from it and apologized for being involved. Of course, it is not wrong to submit to the authority of a pastor and follow his lead; however, with the “spiritual covering” concept, some groups have taken the basic structure of church authority and moved it far beyond biblical precepts.
I am very thankful for this teaching for I am currently recovering from spiritual abuse.
Glad it is a help to you
This is SO HELPFUL! THANK YOU!! My pastor-husband abused me for decades with the false doctrine of positional authority. He is deceased. I am free. God bless you!!
Thanks for the encouragement. Glad the material helps.
I’m 70 and have attended various churches in different denominations from a large cult that is looked on as a regular church to several Pentecostal & charismatic churches.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the way we ‘do church’ is damaging to almost every member.
I love God with all my heart and learnt to discern when God is leading me and to hear His ‘voice’ in most situations.
The damage occurs because most church members have learnt to sit, listen and obey the pastor rather than God. They have never been taught to have an intimate relationship with our Almighty God and don’t realise they haven’t been born again and cannot see the Kingdom.
John 3
So we have worshipped in home groups for the last 15 years, taking turns to host the gathering, and saw the Acts type church in action.
I have contracted a chronic illness that forces me to stay home but still we have three other folk visit every fortnight to worship and encourage each other.
Very good teaching. Thank yiu
Thank you
Thank you
So interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for viewing. The rest of the course is available at stephencrosby.soarlms.com if you are interested.
this is so real!!! It is so painful
Hope it helps. More resources are available here:stephencrosby.soarlms.com
This has been refreshing to think through...am working through a heavy handed background and appreciate you putting this "out there".
Thanks for viewing. The rest of the course is available at stephencrosby.soarlms.com if you are interested.
@@stephanosministries Thanks for your response Stephen and placing a link. Please double check the link as when I attempted to go there, the message was "site cannot be reached". Not sure if there's an error somewhere...would love to see the next installment. Thanks!
Windy Wind Hi, I clicked the link above and it worked fine for me.
@@stephanosministries Thanks Stephen....the link now worked...it seems that to do Part 2 (and the rest) I have to pay? If so I understand...my budget will not allow it and even being able to watch part 1 was helpful in my own thinking. If on the other hand, there's something i'm missing appreciate you letting me know. Thanks!
@@windywind6110 That is correct, parts 2-6 come with cost. Save a few dollars each week and by this time next year, you will be able to afford them!
Thank you for such well grounded teaching on this. Look forward to rest of the series. A lot to consider on not only what I've listened and submitted to but also on how I've acted out of deception towards others.
Thanks for the encouragement.
@@stephanosministries indeed look forward to the rest of the series
Very interesting and useful, thank you brother.
Good sound Biblical references for church government. Scriptural evidence for violation of church members. Must examine the Greek and
New Testament. Church members have freedom of choice to give authority to the church or not regarding the principles of submission.
@@deborahpayne3656 Thank you.
I've listened to this twice already. This is pretty interesting. Could you explain 1 Tim 2:12 about women not to teach and usurp authority.
It would take much too long to do so here. I have taught that subject elsewhere at length, and you can find resources at stevecrosby.org and stephencrosby.SOARlms.com.
@@stephanosministries Ok. Thanks. :)
my pastor is a narcissist and he is sinking our church.
Sad and common. time for a change.
Get out
Fz
Fz