derkrash-at-yahoo-dot-com
I also posted this to a Oneness Pentecostal discussion board:
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I am a bit new here, so bear with me.
But, I think that the term “Authority” suggests an author. As in, what did he write? This assumes that he is a learned man who has studied and written an exit paper from a learned institution demonstrating his knowledge, i.e., his authority. Since graduates of serious colleges require written papers before granting a degree, I think that this pastoral authority should be “What has he written to demonstrate that his words are scholarly?” and “from what institution does he derive his authority?” I think that most religious bodies require serious study before granting ordination of certain offices – sometimes from four to eight years in seminary. And the written paper submitted for degree is the proof that the author has “authority” in the subject by defending his thesis or paper before a review board of scholars.
However, I am aware that many Pentecostal sects do not require anything serious in qualification, and thus, the “rebellion against authority” when the church members are less than supportive from a pastor’s lack of wisdom and knowledge.
Of course, I am not saying that full institutional requirements should be necessary for pastoral duties, but every pastor should submit at the very least a small book, or paper completely demonstrating competence, knowledge, and the ability to articulate, a body of knowledge, defended before a board of scholars over a period of time before any ordination. Anything less, or not as serious, to me demonstrates that such people have No Authority in the most serious sense of the term.
JP Istre
