Do we need another Authority?
When discussing biblical authority, it’s important to ask some questions. If the Bible is authoritative, how does that work? How is it that books in the Bible like Joshua, Ruth or Song of Solomon can be authoritative in life? What does that look like for a story to be authoritative? Before answering these questions, there’s some even more basic questions to ask. First, does anyone want another authority in their life? Second, when the claim is made that scripture is authoritative do people hear that as good news or bad news? Perhaps the answer depends on an individual’s experience with authority figures in their life. Without a doubt all people have had mixed experiences at best. As a parent, I can a ffi rm I’m not a perfect parent...and I know I’m not alone. Parents are the first experience of authority in a person’s life and the very best parents are flawed. After parents most of us have teachers, coaches, police o ffi cers, politicians and pastors to name a few. These roles can b