Okay, so did Christian authoritarianism arise from the Matthew, Mark, Luke and/or John?

Question

Having read the books, I could not find a single instance of christians being told to exercise -any- power over others.

Could that be why the Fundamentalists insist on using the OT to justify their efforts to exercise power over others? Wouldn't it make sense for them to insist the whole bible is the literal truth because they can't find any way to exercise power in the NT, so they have to justify using the OT?

Answer 1

It was Paul. Remember, before his conversion he was KGB working for the Pharasies. The original Christians were communists. Paul the Leader ran into the problem that always produces and had to start making rules, such as "he who will not work, will not eat".

Paul took the original Judaism and transposed it to sell the ideas to the Gentiles. This involved setting a lot of standards and publishing what is and not acceptable and required.

Several hundred years later, what became the Catholic Church was getting organized, the dark ages were descending, civilization was stagnating and reverting to barbarism, and before you knew it, the Parish system welded you into Feudal Serfdom, which is slavery.

So that's my guess about the evolution of authoritarianism.

Gee, and I thought the original message was about Freedom and Transcendence. Something has gone wrong.

Answer 2

Why do you think that Christians exercise power over others? In fact, Jesus tells the Sons of Thunder to be meek in regards to non Christians(John 9:53-55). And foot washing is a practice by which a person is gently rebuked for their sin for their and the Church's edification.

Answer 3

There are a lot of reasons for the authoritarianism of Christianity. Thomas Aquinas, Calvin, and certain Popes all added fuel to that particular fire. Then of course there is the "I'm right therefore everyone else is wrong" mentality that springs up so easily in the human mind, particularly among people who are uneducated.

Answer 4

True Christian authority rests in the triune Godhead. God commands us to LOVE, not to exercise authority as a way to increase numbers or exercise controll. Yes, hardcore fundamentalists (as if there's any other kind!) twist scripture. Their legalism makes them the moder-day pharisees.

Answer 5

Jesus' disciples and almost everyone he had contact with were Jews. There are no Christians in the gospels. There were no Christians until Pentecost after the resurrection.
Acts 2 tells us of the beginnings of the church and the first Christians.

Answer 6

Once christians took over the government of Europe during late Roman times, they realized that the only way they could keep control would be to terrorize the populace and keep them ignorant. It had nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with keeping power.

Answer 7

Who is telling you that they have power over you? We christians get instructions form the New Testament. We get our authority to preach the Gospel, and to baptize.We have no authority to have others do anything. We can't even make you listen. We are however free to talk :) Jim

Answer 8

Christian authoritarianism??????
Honey, I'm a Christian and feel and am completely powerless over anybody else....

and "efforts" are just that....I don't see any Christians making any actual difference in the mass fornication, violence, and other travesties in our Society, so get your facts straight...you choose to listen or not....nobody but the repukes have any authority over you.

Answer 9

The whole Bible is the literal truth of God Almighty.

The power to do what?

Answer 10

you aren't making a lot of sense. Authority or power over who/what? He did give authority to heal the sick, cast out demons etc. Look in the gospels and also in Acts.