Who’s the Boss?
I find it interesting that the same people who would probably question the authority of the Pope have set up for themselves authority structures that rival the Catholic Church—and are often just as lacking in accountability. Lately, this crowd has been castigating Charisma editor Lee Grady for questioning the “restoration” process of evangelist Todd Bentley.
Bentley left his wife and children last August amid admissions of alcohol abuse and infidelity, married the family’s nanny and is now on his way to reentering ministry under the restoration of prophetic minister Rick Joyner and associates. Lee questioned the speed and effectiveness of Bentley’s restoration, calling it “greasy grace” in one of his columns. Joyner fired back in an online video, suggesting that Lee was pharisaical and questioning what ministry a “journalist” like Lee had ever built that would give him the legitimacy to criticize Joyner.
Joyner’s defense consistently returned to the issue of authority—who has authority to correct, who has authority to restore, who has authority to question authority, etc. According to Joyner, only those who have big ministries and a following should have a voice in these matters–they’ve earned the right to speak. For Joyner, it is the clerical elite–although he calls them elders, apostles, prophets, etc.–who are in charge of the church.
I used to almost agree with this premise–that there were authorities in the church who had to be obeyed–pastors, teachers, other leaders. Now, I don’t. My study of the New Testament has led me to believe that the early church had essentially no authority but the Holy Spirit as he worked in the hearts of believers. The church was flat–in contrast to the hierarchical pagan religions of the Near East at that time, and in contrast to the church as it developed in later centuries. Paul advocated mutual submission, James called for corporate correction of the erring, and for Peter it was Jesus, no mere man, who was the head of the church.
How far we’ve come. Now, I hear pastors instruct their sheep to faithfully attend each service, to be sure to tithe, not to question the man with the vision. I dread to think that when Jesus returns it may be to rescue his Bride from the rapacious businessmen and hirelings who have usurped His position as head of the household.
[[UPDATE: For my revised perspective on this topic, click here.]]
