A Crisis in Authority – "All the King's Horses and All the King's Men Couldn't Put Humpty Together Again"

Perhaps you are familiar with the famous English nursery rhyme about Humpty Dumpty:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

The second line of this stanza communicates the direction in which our post-Christian, post-modern, secularized American society is headed. We are living amidst a crisis of authority. If we continue to head in this direction, we will no longer be able to “put Humpty (America) back together again.” Leaders from Law Enforcement Today exclaim that “respect for authority in America is dead today.”* On the other hand, people’s level of confidence in government and its entities continue to plummet.**

CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) in Seattle is an example of the crisis of authority in America in our time. Reminiscent of a scene straight out of Batman’s Dark Knight, a group of individuals occupied several street blocks and formed their own governance in defiance of authorities. Furthermore, to worsen the situation, state and local government authorities have allowed the group’s anarchist behavior to go unchallenged for weeks. Though some claim the movement is peaceful, only certain people are allowed to enter the zone, police are not welcome, journalists have been injured trying to report on the situation, and leaders from within vie for control. On June 20th, 2020, there was a reported shooting and death of a 19 year-old man inside CHAZ***. Will such zones take root around the country? Only time will tell. Regardless, respect for authority is at an all time low.

A few examples of failures from our different spheres of authority:

Government = is not able to fix racism, continues to fail to guide communities well amidst a pandemic, is more concerned with party politics, and is seen as a tool of oppression.
Family = is no longer the nucleus of society. Children are increasingly more disrespectful, marriages are shattered, and single parenting is at an all time high. There is no longer a dominant family form in America (https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2015/12/17/1-the-american-family-today/).
Church = is perceived as just another institution whose authority hinders people’s freedom.
Society = school teachers are often disrespected. Coaches have to deal with obstinate kids and youth. In the workplace, companies struggle to manage their employees who feel entitled to things while failing to perform.

Of course, these examples are only a few examples among society where authority is being defaced. Recent violent protests within Seattle’s CHAZ, the burning of police stations, and the degradation of public property, are a vidid demonstration of the lack of respect for authority in America. Further, 2020 is an election year where parties and political candidates will fight for authority as people head to the polls. This year political authority will be challenged, fought for, and contested. But one thing is for sure … all authority must submit under God’s authority. All authority is established by God. And, as Christians we would be wise to ground ourselves under God’s authority.

The Bible and Authority

First, the Bible is the ultimate source of authority for Christ followers. It is not only the revelation of God to his people and mankind, but it is also our source of authority. But, make no mistake, the Bible’s authority does not remain unchallenged, even among Christians. Dr. Ken Keathley in his book Biblical Authority: Critical Issues for the Body of Christ, writes, “The key issue among all Christian people today is the matter of authority. Where does genuine authority come from? Who or what is the source of our authority? Is there a standard, a ‘rule’ which will be authoritative for God’s people today? Daily the church faces ongoing issues that demand answers. Inevitably, the answers or lack of answers relate to authority. It has become the critical issue of our times.” This critical issue cannot be ignored. The authority of God’s Word is under attack, and we must be on the alert.

Second, the Bible commands us to respect government authority. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” The whole chapter actually encourages obedience to government authorities. Keep in mind that Christians were often times unjustly persecuted for their faith during those times. But yet, the Holy Spirit still encouraged Paul to tell the church, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). Ultimately, Christians must submit under God’s authority. So, when government is unjust we must oppose it. When cops, judges, politicians, and other leaders act unjustly, or force us to compromise on gospel values, we must stand in opposition.

The apostle Peter gave the church some sobering words, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:18-20). Peter encouraged believers to be exemplary citizens. But notice, that Christians have a title, “servants of the Lord.” We are commanded to “fear God” first, then submit ourselves under those appointed by God to rule. (A lot more can be said here, but I will reserve further elaboration to keep this article short).

Third, the Bible teaches us that without God’s authority, anything goes. We have an epistemological problem. We no longer know what truth is because truth is defined intrinsically by the individual. In other words, for the late-modern man truth is not given it is created. Traditionally, Christians believe truth is defined by God as our creator. In fact, truth is mostly revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. He himself claimed, “I am the truth, the way, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Late-modernity’s message, however, is “Jesus is a way, a truth, and way of life, and you’re free to add him onto your epistemological (reality) framework as long as you don’t bother me.”

We live amidst a secularized society which preaches that the individual person is the ultimate locus of authority. Post-modern man believes, in what Charles Taylor calls “the sovereign-self.” Meaning, you are free to rule yourself and others as you wish. If authority is not attributed by someone outside of yourself, then you are free to become your own authority. The problem is that eventually this mentality leads to moral insignificance. Os Guinness writes,

Truth, goodness, and authority are irrelevant to the central act and main event: you are the sovereign chooser, and you are free to exercise your sovereign right to choose and choose and choose again in whatever way you like – untill all choices seem the same and each one shrivels into insignificance. – Impossible People

Conclusion

All authority is God-given. However, our world refuses to fully submit to God’s authority. As Christians, we must show the world that living under God’s authority is not only the best way, it is the only way to a fully abundant life. Further, though like Humpty Dumpty, our society is fractured, there is hope. Christ can heal our country and world, and mend our failures by his grace and love.

Written by Daniel Messina