Lesson 2: A Biblical Perspective on Power

Let’s take a preliminary look at what the Bible says about unconditional power being a human problem that could destroy the world. It’s an idea found from beginning to end in the scriptures. Hopefully, we can find some guidance for handling the present threat.

The danger is usually personified. Way back in Genesis 4, Lamech, the father of Noah, brags that he has killed a man for wounding him and a young man for simply striking him. This becomes the illustration of violence used to explain why God devastated creation with the great flood.

The story goes on to say that when the flood did not work, God tried regulating unconditional power with the law. The Egyptian Pharaoh now represents the threat. Just as Lamech welcomed the birth of Noah because his son would do his work, so the Pharaoh used the Hebrews to labor for him. Just as Lamech kills anyone who offends him, so too does the Pharaoh murder if he feels threatened.

In many places throughout the law, the Hebrews are inspired to care for the weak by remembering what it was like when they were slaves under the Pharaoh. They are to restrict the power of the strong to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth rather than Lamech’s unconditional retribution or Pharaoh’s genocide.

In the second half of the Old Testament, the prophets make Nebuchadnezzar, the emperor of Babylon who tears people from their homes, embody danger. They claim powerful nations and people who reject the law by oppressing the weak are self-destructive.

In the New Testament, Herod, who commits genocide, and Pilate, who mocks truth, share the bad guy role. The threat is carried to the extreme limit when political and religious authorities use their power in an attempt to kill God.

People find different versions of hope in the resurrection. On one end, a tradition promises when unconditional power in the person of the Antichrist does destroy the world, God will create a new one where love is practiced. On the other a tradition proclaims Jesus’ responding to unconditional power with unconditional love provides us now with the tools to build a world that cares for all.

I’m afraid I came away mostly alerted to how much the characteristics of those who threatened the ancients resemble our present-day politicians who think a democratic vote gives them the right to use unchecked power.

And I was embarrassed that many Christians have misread the resurrection in ways that have helped to create these modern day Lamechs. One group backs those advocating violence thinking this will jump start God’s destruction of this world and creation of the next. Another supports politicians they think will enable them to impose their understanding of Christian morality on everyone else.

As we go on, I’ll try to be more positive.

Tags: Biblical Account of Unconditional Power, Christian Concept of Power, Christian Use of Power, Modern Unchecked Political Power, Unconditional Power Destroys World