What is Spiritual Authority?

Exploring the transcendent dimension of power

This page is dedicated to an exploration of the sociological dimension of spiritual authority. My exploration ties together both theoretical and practical concerns over the existence and use of spiritual authority in the modern world.

The launching point for my thinking on spiritual authority begins with a discussion of terms leading to a preliminary definition of spiritual authority. Other thoughts continue from that point. My thinking focuses on an evangelical context. A brief note on the use of the word God can be found by clicking on the term wherever it is found in these pages.

You can read here about my personal background to understand what motivates me to study this subject.

Your comments, book/article references, suggestions, personal experiences, questions, etc., are all welcome. Please email me at the address below. Or use the form provided in the guest book registry below.

A Brief Treatise on Spiritual Authority

(a work in progress -- updated frequently)

1. Introduction
   • Context in which spiritual authority is exercised today.
2. Definition of Terms
   • Introductory discussion of terms.
   • Preliminary definition of spiritual authority.
3. Historical Background
   • The unfortunate and unintended legacy of the Reformation.
   • The optimistic rationalism of the Enlightenment.
   • Reviewing the erosion of spiritual authority.
   • The French Revolution and the decline of the monarchy.
   • Revolt against reason: pietism, methodism and romanticism.
   • The impact of Charles Finney and revivialism on spiritual authority.
   • Capitalism, the division of labor and the Industrial Revolution.
   • Biblical criticism in the 19th & 20th centuries.
   • The contribution of TV Quiz shows, Watergate and the PTL scandal.
4. Sociological Background
   • Modernity: change in the social glue and the weakening of religion.
   • Divided loyalties: negotiating between multiple moralities.
   • The rise of moral apathy and incompatibility.
   • Defining morality.
   • Understanding authority and punishment.
   • Individualism as the sine qua non of modernity.
5. Statement of the Problem
   • The modern crisis of spiritual authority.
   • Qualitative analysis used to assess hypothesis regarding exercise of spiritual authority.
6. Contemporary Responses to Loss of Spiritual Authority.
   • "Negative fundamentalism:" rejecting new paradigms is a zealous overreaction to attack on spiritual authority.
   • Communalism: teaching corporate spirituality is a misplaced corrective.
   • Church growth methodology: rejection of need for a corrective.
   • Charismatic movement: shifting the locus of spiritual authority.
7. Pragmatic Issues
   • Suggestions for the practical practice of spiritual authority.
8. ??? Other topics as they emerge

Appendix

• Note on the sociological perspective.
• Note on what is evangelicalism.
• Note on God.

Related issues on Spiritual Authority

I have provided interesting links on the artificial creation of spiritual authority.

G U E S T S please take the opportunity to sign my guest book. Included is a form for your questions, comments or contributions. I'd like to hear what you think!

Please note: My thinking is sometimes slow, but always continues! Take a look at my love for reading at my other website book.net. Please come back again soon.

This page graciously recieved an Approved by Da Man Award on July 21, 1996.

accesses to this page.

http://geocities.datacellar.net/Athens/7067/
This page created on July 12, 1996.
Most recent revision was October 25, 1996.
Copyright © 1996 Gerardo Marti
For information regarding this site, please send email to gerardo@worldnet.att.net.

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