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A Note on Authority
by L Cruz III2007
In this short article, I will not be referring to the word authority in a way that could be used in the sentence, “Little Jimmy is running from the authorities; run Jimmy, run!” (Nor would I suggest running from such authorities. Ha ha!)
Instead, I am referring to the type of authority that can be described as a testimony or witnessing; as if to say, “No, I wasn’t there myself but I read an article about the event. I have chosen to believe it on authority.”
Almost every single piece of historic information we hold to be true, we actually believe on authority. Because so-and-so said so; and he or she seems to be educated.
But, how far can authority really take us, and how is the Bible's authority different from any other?
Exploring a Hypothetical Book.
Let us pretend that someone wrote a historical book that describes a man who drove a red car over a brown bridge. If we were present when the event occurred, we could easily confirm the truthfulness of that part of the author’s testimony. The author’s right to call himself an “authority” on that particular matter would be strengthened in our eyes.
But, what if we weren't there? What could we do then? Well, we could question the actual man who supposedly drove the car, the author of the book or any possible witnesses. Or we could do a "C. S. I." on the red car, the bridge and various roads to give us a better idea of the likelihood that the event occurred. But, the fact remains that without experiential proof, we have no way of truly knowing.
Yes, authority can be limited.
Exploring the Real Book…The Bible!
The Bible, however, is entirely different. While at first glance it may appear to be nothing more than a book of historicity - a book whose authority we could either choose to accept or reject - it is really a book of a much different sort. It packs a special punch; an experiential left hook.
For example, one could hardly expect that one day, while ordering French fries at the local drive thru, one could suddenly experientially know that the man had driven his red car over the brown bridge.
However, when it comes to the Bible, such experiences are extremely possible. You could quite literally be sitting at the drive thru when suddenly - Bam! - the Holy Spirit graces you with an understanding of a spiritual truth, mentioned in the Bible, that is so profound that your perspective on life completely changes. Then, not only do you experience the truth for yourself, you gain the added experience of looking around and seeing the confusion in the lives of those who do not understand what has just been proven to you. You come to realize that the concept isn’t true because it works, but rather it works because it’s true.
That, my friend, is the power of God and the Bible. Reading the Bible with an open heart affords one the profound opportunity of enjoying an interactive dance with God. Through experiential wonder, the Holy Spirit transforms simple words on a page to experiential understandings that transcend the patterns of this world.
No, the Bible is no ordinary book.
All feedback is welcome.