Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing (9Marks)

As there are already several excellent longer reviews I will be brief. Excellent book, well written and comprehensive. The real life examples of bad leadership and use of authority are gut-wrenching. Leeman never comes across as smug or as if he has all the answers. He humbly reviews his own faults and failures. So if you are a pastor, elder, deacon, husband or wife, parent, employer, child, congregant or any one else in or under authority, take up and read.

"Authority" by Jonathan Leeman is a great and timely read on a very important and controversial topic, especially in the church with the recent news of abuses of authority in the Southern Baptist Convention that I am a member of. Indeed, with the now widely-publicized abuse of authority in religion, politics, business, and homes (many times, but not always, an abusive father or husband), this is a title that must be addressed in a biblically sound way. While we need authority in our society, it must be abused for the benefit of a few and cause suffering for many and those who lack power. Around 260 pages, the title addresses many important topics on the subject, including:- The purpose of good authority that benefits others and glorifies God.- The effects of good and bad authority.- Characteristics of abusive authority.- Jesus Christ as the central person of authority in the Bible.- Limits to submitting to authority (when it commands us to sin, contradicts God's ways, overreaches, etc.). I've been in those situations and have had to refuse to submit to authority when it tempted me to do one or more of the above.- What to do when submitting to authority becomes complex and is not always cut dried.- Authority by command and counsel and suggestions for using both appropriately.- Limits of various kinds of authority.- And yes, the limits of church authority.After completing the book, here's what I liked:- Not a defensive rant justifying all kinds and uses of authority nor a rant against all kinds of authority. I've read and heard some "Christian" writers and pastors justify using too strong a version of authority and attempt to misquote the Bible to justify their behavior. In other words, an emphasis on obeying authority while ignoring or minimizing the responsibility of those who have authority.- Very well written and organized.- Shows many examples of good and bad authority in the Bible, the world, and in people's lives.- Excellent scriptural and general index for further study.- Devotes enough space on the need for good authority in people's lives. We certainly don't need the "Book Of Judges" mentality where everyone does what is "right in their own eyes".- Book is easy to read and understand.- Good balanced approach.Overall, an excellent read and one of the best books I've read on authority. Highly recommended, will be read again, and will be a very handy resource and future reference.

What an excellent book on authority. Leeman does a thorough and Biblical job of explaining the role of authority, its benefits, and its limits. His examples helped solidify the concepts in my mind. The only ‘drawback’ I found was how much information he placed in the chapter on the husband’s authority—all helpful, but the aspect of the dominion/creation mandate could have been developed more. I deeply appreciated Leeman’s distinction between authority of counsel and authority of command, the authority of husbands and elders being the former. Rather than presenting information as theory, Leeman helps us see how to use authority in a Christ-like way for the glory of God. I highly recommend this book.

It is interesting that there are more commandments for a Christian that while is listed for the Jewish nation in the Old Testament. For those that understand authority, they are submissive to God's authority. In the case of a Christian Community, this is so important as we live out our lives deferring to leadership within a Christian community. Authority is critically important when we think about our theology. Sadly, for a Roman Catholic, the authority is the Pope and Church and have lost a Biblical understanding of the centrality of Scripture; whereas for the Protestant, thanks to the Reformation, our authority is accurate and appropriately God's Word. I'm glad there is a treatise on this topic and would encourage every reader to explore this all important topic.

Buy this book!A couple things that make this book particularly helpful:1. Leeman's personal reflections throughout the book expose his own shortcomings and growth. I found myself saying, "I've definitely done this." or "Man, I feel that tension too."2. The book leaves space for nuance. While Leeman gives principles to help guide our use of authority, he also avoids over-principalized rigid Pharisaism. Often wisdom is less like a rulebook and more like a compass. This book gives a good directive "North" without providing turn-by-turn directions.3. Leeman puts human authority in relation to God's authority towards us. That's how we know that "Good human authority is never absolute. Good authority is always accountable. Good authority drives inside the lines that God has painted on the road. In fact, good authority is always submissive!" (pg. 11).This book was a salve on wounds, challenged my pride, and encouraged my soul. Highly recommend.