The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 9: “Because I’m the Pastor, That’s Why!”
We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here.
The previous chapter concluded part 1 of the book, which focused on the victims. Part 2 (chapters 9-16) looks at the leaders in spiritually abusive systems. In part 1, we saw that the victims are spiritually hungry people who were drawn to something. The main component of spiritually abusive systems is power that is postured rather than true spiritual authority. “Without a strong, central figure or figures who claim to have authoritative knowledge of God, an abusive system cannot attract followers who are hungering for the Life of God.” The leaders who have fallen into this may well have done so innocently and with good intentions. Perhaps they never experienced the grace of Jesus personally or have lost sight of it. This section is not a screed against these mistaken leaders, it is an appeal to move away from the burden of works and heavy weights, and turn to the grace and rest offered by Jesus.
Chapter 9 speaks to authority. Is the authority of spiritual leaders intrinsic?
False Authority and the Chair of Moses
Those of us who have been in authoritarian systems are very familiar with Hebrews 13:17 and Romans 13:1-2. We know what it is like to assume that we need to submit and obey even when it does not make sense. But this is often a symptom of having experienced false authority. If you have ever struggled with these two passages, I believe you may be well rewarded by the material in these next two sections; by the time you read the recap of the “Authenticity” section, you may have a new and healthier perspective.
There is a difference between authority that is grasped and authority that arises from speaking words that are wise, discerning, and true. Jesus confronted the false spiritual authority of his day by saying that the Pharisees had “seated themselves in the chair of Moses” (Matthew 23:1). Even today, we use the term “chair” to symbolize authority. Someone might be appointed chairperson of a committee, or chair of a college department. The Greek word for chair was cathedra, leading to the term “ex-cathedra”: when someone speaks from a place of authority. When a leader declares “because I’m the pastor, that’s why” or warns “touch not the Lord’s anointed” he is speaking ex-cathedra, from the chair of authority. The Pharisees did this. They ruled ex-cathedra, believing their words were authoritative simply because they had uttered them. This was authority that was grasped, not given.
A convenient fringe benefit for leaders who rule ex-cathedra is that they are allowed to be spiritual experts with outward holiness without having to be vulnerable about what is in their heart or what happens behind closed doors in their family. (Think of Jesus’ reference to the “outside of the cup.”)
Question for discussion: Is this discussion about the chair of Moses new to you? Have you had any experiences with leadership that seemed to rule “ex-cathedra”? Is there ever a time when a Protestant pastor or leader might be reasonably expected to rule ex-cathedra?
A Maddening Attitude
Consider a few examples of people with true spiritual authority in Scripture. Moses was recognized, not only in his own time, but also by both Jesus and the Pharisees, as one with spiritual authority. Where did his authority come from? Was it intrinsic to him as a person or simply because his name was Moses? Moses’ authority stemmed from the fact that he spoke as God directed him. He had to speak the truth to speak with authority.
Timothy was a young pastor, mentored by Paul. What advice did Paul write to his protege? He did not say, “they can smell fear, better let them know who is in charge” or “be bold: tell them you are the pastor, that’s why!” Instead, he told Timothy to spend time and effort learning to handle the Word of Truth well: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Timothy would be authoritative as he applied the inspired, authoritative Word of God. If he were to deviate from the Word of Truth, he would cease to speak with authority.
Continue this thought through to Paul himself. Paul spoke as an apostle of Jesus Christ, one who had a rare position of authority in the Church. I like the way that The Message translates what Paul wrote to the Galatians: “Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I’ll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed” (Galatians 1:8).
Moses, Timothy, and Paul: they spoke with authority because they spoke in accordance with God’s truth. When Jesus spoke, the people responded to his authority. They recognized that he had authority, in direct contrast to the Scribes and Pharisees, who grasped after authority and sat themselves in the seat of Moses. This is the contrast of true spiritual authority to power-posturing. It is a maddening attitude in the kingdom of Jesus when someone thinks they speak with authority simply because they hold an office or a title.
Authenticity
These four examples of authority give us a good context for viewing passages like Hebrews 13:17 and Romans 13:1-2. A person with true spiritual authority is one who authenticates with the fabric of their life the fact that their authority stems from their obedience to God. If a person rejects authentic authority that stems from a life submitted to God, they are rejecting God’s governance. This is not the same thing as a leader who attempts to rule ex-cathedra and claims that their office or title gives them the privilege to rule over others and that anyone who refuses to submit to them is in rebellion.
Question for discussion: Does the discussion about intrinsic authority make sense to you? Do you agree or disagree with their conclusions? How important is authenticity in a spiritual leader?
Off to See the Wizard
The chapter concludes with a recap of the Wizard of Oz. The Wizard’s authority rested in empty promises, smoke, noise, and threats. Even when the curtain is pulled back and he is exposed, he roars the famous line, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” The Wizard is a power abuser who has ruled with postured power. When Dorothy and company point out this problem, he makes them the problem. Eventually, Dorothy and her friends realize that they already have what they were after all along. And so today with spiritual leaders who rule over people with postured power, and who make you the problem when you notice the problem: those laboring underneath them are laboring for something they already have — God’s approval is already theirs based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A side note: Anyone who has read A Matter of Basic Principles (reviewed here) will recognize this allusion as being a key metaphor to that book as well.
Personal Interaction
I think there is good wisdom in the idea that abusive systems depend on power that is grasped and postured. Many people tell tragic tales of what happened in their families when the hammer and chisel became the pattern the family followed. With regard to Gothard himself, I am reminded of a warning penned over 30 years ago:
Still, Bill Gothard makes me nervous. He has an almost fascistic view of power, and he comes on the scene at a time when people are searching for an answer man, a man with authority and power. My fear is that, without intending to do so, Gothard will make people so rigid and assured of their own rightness that they will be unable to understand, much less to sympathize with, those of their fellow human beings who hold other views. History tells us what happens when well-meaning, deeply committed religious people substitute law for gospel — and what it tells us is not pleasant. (Bockelman, W., 1974. Pros and cons of Bill Gothard. Christian Century, 91(32), 877-880.)
Good Quotes
We are going to have to speak the truth to have authority. (p. 114)
We submit to authority when it demonstrates authenticity (p. 116)
If a person’s spiritual authority rests on the sole fact that ‘I am the pastor,’ there is good chance they have taken that posture because they have no real authority. (p. 116)
(Click here to go on to Chapter 10)
btw, I found this discussion of the seat of Moses to be very interesting, and quite a striking image. A friend was kind enough to point out that the real thing exists, and sent me a picture. I googled for other images of it and here is one result: http://www.egrc.net/images/Israel_Summer_2004/Notley/MosesSeat.jpg (from http://www.egrc.net/images/Israel_Summer_2004/Notley/Israel_Notley_2004.html )
ex cathedra is a latin phrase which means "from the chair". Jesus in Matthew 23"2-3 spoke of the chair of Moses which means the teaching authority of the OT magisterium which would have been the pharisees. Jesus stated that they are not practicing what they preach and not to follow their examples. This isn't used in Protestantism but used in the Catholic Church to refer to the teaching authority of the Pope in union with the bishops often referred to as the magisterium of the Catholic Church. In Catholic teaching when the Pope rules ex cathedra is it with reference to when the Pope rules in his official teaching capacity as universal shepherd of the Church on matters of faith and morals. It has only been used actually twice since defined in Vatican i counsel. Not to make this a discussion about Catholic vs Protestant, your question was can a Protestant Pastor rule "ex cathedra" as a pastor? Well, can a pastor make definitive rulings or have authority to do so on faith and morals? No, a protestant pastor does not have that kind of authority at all unless he thinks so. But in reference to Bill Gothard, he isn't a pastor and he isn't even a church but a para-church teaching type ministry which had no over site from anyone else. Not only did BG try to teach authoritatively on faith and morals he expanded that definition of ex cathedra to include micro management of people's lives, looks, tastes, family relationships, music, education etc and so on. The narrow faith and morals which is more about doctrine than trying to micro manage peoples family life and lives. That is illegitimate authority not authentic authority. Yes this is abuse of authority. Individual pastors is the same thing.
Thank you for sharing. Spiritual authority is a big issue. Specifically when speaking of ATI this book seems like it could be a big help.
Here's some of the characteristics of organizations that foster spiritual abuse:
1a. Undue Loyalty to Leaders – The leadership is held to be anointed by God and followers taught they should submit in anything it requires. This authority supposedly comes from the position they occupy. Many names are used but in the abusive system this is a position of power, not moral authority. The assumption is that God operates among His people through a hierarchy, or "chain of command." In this abusive system unconditional submission is often called a "covering," or "umbrella of protection" which will provide some spiritual blessing to those who fully submit. Followers may be told that God will bless their submission even if the leadership is wrong. It is not their place to judge or correct the leadership - God will see to that.
1b. Biblical Response: In John 9 the Pharisees "cast out" the man born blind simply because the truth he told about his healing exposed their own corruption. In Acts 7:51-56, Stephen called the Jewish leaders to account over their spiritual abuse. His testimony of Christ vindicated Jesus, whom they had abused, and condemned them. The legalistic Jews were so angry they stoned Stephen to death. In Galatians Paul addressed a performance based Christianity which leads to the abuse of legalism.
2a. Authoritarian – The system is characterized by rules and a power structure that is unaccountable to those who follow. Because the religious system is not based on the truth it cannot allow questions, dissent, or open discussions about issues. The person who dissents becomes the problem rather than the issue he raised. The truth about any issue is settled and handed down from the top of the hierarchy. Questioning anything is considered a challenge to authority. Thinking for oneself is suppressed by pointing out that it leads to doubts. This is portrayed as unbelief in God and His anointed leaders. Thus the follower controls his own thoughts by fear of doubting God. An authoritarian leader will seek to be unaccountable for his actions, or inactions, this side of heaven.
2b. Biblical Response: As God in human flesh, Jesus had legitimate spiritual authority. But He did not exercise it to gain power for Himself, or to abuse and control others with rules and regulations. He said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). The Greek word for "heavy laden" is phortizo which means here "to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety)" (Strong's Concordance #5412). Jesus gave a balanced perspective on positional authority when he said, "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matthew 23:8). He gave another key to discernment when He taught, "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory..." (John 7:18a).
3a. Appearance is Everything – The abusive religious system is scrupulous to maintain an image of righteousness. Impossibly high legalistic standards of thought and behavior may be imposed on the members. Their failure to live up to these standards is a constant reminder of the follower's inferiority to his leaders, and the necessity of submission to them. Abusive religion is, at heart, legalism. Abusive religion is also paranoid. Because the truth about the abusive religious system would be quickly rejected if recognized, outsiders are shown only a positive image of the group.
3b. Biblical Response: Jesus was not "image conscious." He was willing to associate with wine drinkers, cheating tax collectors and even prostitutes. He accused the legalistic Pharisees of "teaching for doctrine the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9) and likened their showy, hypocritical outward righteousness to "whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27).
4a. Perfectionism - Works are necessary for salvation, to keep one's salvation, or to keep God's blessing. A most natural assumption is that a person does not get something for nothing. Failure is strongly condemned so there is only one alternative, perfection. So long as he thinks he is succeeding in his observation of the rules, the follower typically exhibits pride, elitism, and arrogance. However, when reality and failure eventually set in, the result is the person experiences spiritual burnout, or even shipwreck of his faith. Those who fail in their efforts are labeled as apostates, weak, or some other such term so that they can be discarded by the system.
4b. Biblical Response: Jesus upheld the high standard of the Law, yet He clearly placed the legitimate needs of people before any rules or regulations (Matthew 12:1-13; Mark 2:23-3:5). The scriptures make it clear that no one will cease to sin in this life (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8). Jesus made it plain, however, that one can know in this life that one has eternal life (John 5:24; 6:37-40), a theme developed by Paul throughout his epistles, and by John (1 John 5:10-13).
5a. Unbalanced View – The imbalanced spiritual hobby-horse thus produced represents unique knowledge or practices which seem to validate the group's claim to special status with God.
5b. Biblical Response: Jesus illustrated the balance between the spirit and the letter when dealing with the woman taken in adultery. (John 8:1-11) The Pharisees, quintessential spiritually abusive leaders, were quite unbalanced in their perception of what mattered most to God. Jesus said they, "...pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, - judgment, mercy, and faith...." (Matthew 23:23).
For full articles by David Henke see: http://www.watchman.org/articles/cults-alternative-religions/spiritual_abuse-in-the-bible/
and http://www.watchman.org/profile/abusepro.htm
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