Trust and Submission to Authority

Rachael Clinton Chen and Dr. Dan Allender continue their
conversation about authority, this week diving into who we’re
meant to trust and submit to in a healthy, biblical way that
leads to our flourishing. 


To begin the episode, Dan reads from Romans 13, a passage often
referenced in conjunction with the topic of authority. Both
Rachael and Dan acknowledge they are in complex waters and that
the words “submission” and “obedience” can be triggering for many
listeners due to the misuse and violence done by those in
positions of authority. 


What authority, then, are we to submit to? The phrase Paul uses
implies a “quality superior,” not all authority, Dan notes, but
someone who bears a kind of qualitative goodness—a likeness to
the goodness of God. Jesus authorizes others for the sake of
addressing the brokenness in the world, extending a sense of
empowerment, dignity, and call to life. People who are authorized
by God typically do not have to tell others they have authority,
Rachael says, as it is gained through respect, participation,
service, and honor. 


The series will conclude next week as Dan and Rachael will
address the questions: What is submission, what does it mean to
interact with those in authority? 


 


Listener Resources:


If you are interested in learning more about the topics mentioned
in this podcast:


Listen to our most recent series about Attachment and
Relationships

Listen to a podcast episode about Suspicion and Loyalty in
Spiritual Abuse

Listen to our podcast series featuring Cathy Loerzel on
Complexities in Leadership