Sermon: "Sources of Authority"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

One of the great issues of the day - and, perhaps, of any day - involves authority. Even if authority is not recognized as the issue of the day, it almost always is directly involved. Who has authority? Who claims it … or, demands it? Who is given it … and, by whom? Surely a significant question of any system is this: where does the authority lie? After all, authority relates to power, and power to control. Therefore, locating the source of authority in any institution or relationship can be quite revealing … and important. Indeed, authority is a subject that requires attention if we pretend to deal at any depth with life in our country, or in the world, or in the church today.

The Bible readings this morning address several sources of authority … or, examples of authority. Perhaps looking briefly at them will help us consider this issue which carries such significance in our lives.

First we heard from the book of Deuteronomy. "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet" (18:15). Prophets speak the word of the Lord. Indeed, prophets claim to speak for God. That is the source of their authority.

Such a circumstance is not a simple matter, however. For instance, in recent times, a couple of questionable examples of those claiming the authority of God's word come to mind. First, remember that Pat Robertson proclaimed that God had punished Ariel Sharon with a stroke for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, part of the Holy Land. It seems to me that Mr. Robertson has alienated himself more and more from mainstream Christianity by such prophetic claims. Secondly, that short-lived but controversial television show, "The Book of Daniel," raised all kinds of questions about authority, especially regarding those who claim to speak for God. Characters included a friendly Jesus-pal and several very unfortunate clergy. However, the reactions to the show were much more interesting than anything on the television. I began to wonder, for instance, about the ways that Jesus or the church exercise authority in people's lives, if indeed that TV show represented such a threat to them.

Going back to Deuteronomy, though, the prophetic authority comes from one who claims to speak the word of the Lord. The problem, obviously, is in proving that authority and in getting people to believe it. I suppose that is always the issue for the prophet - in Old Testament times and in ours.

The Second Reading offered another source of authority … indeed, a different kind of authority altogether. According to the author of First Corinthians, love appropriately is the basis for actions among people. When such love is authentic, it is also authoritative.

The example of the exercise of love from our reading involves eating food. While the reading itself becomes a bit obscure in dealing with customs two thousand years old, the underlying message still applies. That is, relationships among people - and especially, the exercise of concern for one another - are much more important than external rules and customs. This reading surely indicates the practical theology of St. Paul at its very best.

The Gospel reading provides an example of someone who speaks and acts and lives with authority - authority that is recognized by others. Two places in that reading testify that Jesus taught with authority - indeed, astonishing authority. The Gospel witness is that people were in awe in response to Jesus' teaching and his actions.

Notice that Jesus did not claim the authority. Rather, again, the authority's source was within him, and in this case, other people recognized it. This reading, then, presents us with still a different kind of authority - whose source is internal and whose validity is recognized by other people.

Therefore, the readings this morning all deal with authority. However, each example differs from the others. First, we heard of external authority that is claimed and grasped. It seems to me that this kind of authority is the one that we see most in our day. It involves the trappings of authority, the appearance of authority. Secondly, we noticed that love is an internal authority that is lived out. Such authority is authentic, and it provides a framework for life for the one who lives it. Finally, we heard the testimony about Jesus. He lived out his authentic authority, too, but in his case, other people recognized that inner authority and conveyed respect to him as a result.

Now, think with me for a moment about the kinds of authority in the context of this service today. As bishop, I will soon confirm our candidate for Confirmation. We also have a candidate for Reception today, but let's just think about Confirmation for the sake of this example. As a sign and symbol of our church's appreciation for the authority of tradition, I will lay hands on the candidate's head. It is with a degree of authority - external authority - that we engage in this traditional action and rite.

On the other hand, the person who comes forward to be confirmed does so with a certain inner conviction. Indeed, she herself will also perform an act of confirmation - for she will confirm the promises of her baptism. Thus, that authority is inner, from within.

In this case, each source of authority - external or internal - has validity. However, the external authority depends on the internal in a way that is not true in reverse. Indeed, external authority without any internal source for that authority can be hollow and, ultimately, meaningless.

Our world is enamored with external signs of authority. We easily can get carried away by appearances and displays. But, as we elevate such external signs of authority, do we risk losing something of great importance? Indeed, do we endanger losing our souls?

By way of concluding these rather random thoughts, then, let me suggest a way of life that seems to be recommended by the readings today. It has been noted by others that we either live from the outside in … or from the inside out. In the context of our observations this morning, the Bible encourages us to do the latter - live from the inside out. Sources of authority - like love - and examples of authority - like Jesus - do precisely that. Further, any external signs of authority that are valid depend on internal conviction. True affirmation for authority, therefore, comes from within a person.

Thus, to the ones being Confirmed and Received today - and to all of us who live the baptismal life of Jesus - may we know that true authority comes from within us, from that place where the Spirit of God lives. May we find comfort in that source of authority, and may we be bold about living from the inside out as well! Amen.

Copyright © 2006 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee