Tables and Illustrations
Series Preface
Prelude: A Prayer of Confession
Introduction: Our Angst about Authority
Part I: What Is Authority?
Chapter 1: Authority Is God’s Good Gift for Sharing His Rule and Glory
Chapter 2: Authority Is Satan’s Sinister Scheme for Supplanting God
Chapter 3: Authority Is Christ’s Claim to Rescue and Redeem
Part II: What Is Submission?
Chapter 4: Submission Is the Path to Growth, Authority, and Likeness to the God-Man
Chapter 5: Submission Is Never Absolute and Always Has Limits
Part III: How Does Good Authority Work? Five Principles
Chapter 6: It Is Not Unaccountable, but Submits to a Higher Authority
Chapter 7: It Doesn’t Steal Life, but Creates It
Chapter 8: It Is Not Unteachable, but Seeks Wisdom
Chapter 9: It Is Neither Permissive nor Authoritarian, but Administers Discipline
Chapter 10: It Is Not Self-Protective, but Bears the Costs
Part IV: What Does Authority Look Like in Action?
Chapter 11: Two Kinds of Authority: Command and Counsel
Chapter 12: The Husband (Counsel)
Chapter 13: The Parent (Command)
Chapter 14: The Government (Command)
Chapter 15: The Manager (Command)
Chapter 16: The Church (Command)
Chapter 17: The Elder (Counsel)
Conclusion: Equality, the Fear of God, and a Reward
Postlude: A Prayer of Praise
General Index
Scripture Index
Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing with Study Questions PB
| Product Details | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Crossway |
| Year | |
| ISBN | 9798874905613 |
Accessible Guide from 9Marks Equips Believers to Steward Their God-Given Authority
In every position of power—from executives and world leaders to church elders and parents—lies the potential for life-giving leadership or destructive corruption. Driven by sinful pride or opportunism, many people abuse their God-given authority, harming the ones they’re called to lead and contributing to a skeptical attitude toward leadership. The answer to bad authority, however, is not no authority, but good authority—the kind that, according to Scripture, causes those under it to flourish.
In this compelling guide from 9Marks, Jonathan Leeman shows that authority, done biblically, is not only good but essential to human flourishing. Through Scripture and many first-hand stories, he presents 5 attributes of positive authority and warns against sinfulness that corrupts leadership. Dozens of study questions throughout the book guide readers as they think through each chapter individually or with a group. Pointing to Jesus as the ultimate model of good authority, Leeman equips readers to pursue godly influence in their personal and professional lives.
Endorsement
“Authority is under attack today because it is deemed to be oppressive. This book is a refreshingly thoughtful study of this theme. It firmly rejects abuse while showing authority to be vital to the proper functioning of society, church, and family. When properly used, authority serves those who are led. This timely book is a sure guide to this contentious subject: biblically faithful, pastorally wise, comprehensive in scope, and full of practical examples.”
Sharon James, Social Policy Analyst, The Christian Institute
Table of Contents
