In the Light of Scripture, How/Where does "Covering Theology" Fit?
Question/Comment:
----- Original Message -----From: Name WithheldTo: Paul StringiniSent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 12:46 PMSubject: "Covering Theology?"Paul,In the light of scripture, how/where does 'covering theology/ fit?Looking forward to your response.Thank You!
----- Original Message -----From: Paul StringiniTo: Name WithheldSent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 7:38 PMSubject: Re: "Covering Theology?"Hi Name Withheld,I had never heard of that one before. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. At first I thought you meant "covering theology" as in, "Open your bibles and let's cover some theology." But, after a quick search, I see that you are asking about "Covering Theology," a particular brand of theology. I can see why you would ask me about this, especially if you have listened to anything I have taught. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing on the subject.I read the following list of the main ideas behind "Covering Theology," on http://coveringandauthority.com/covering-theology-101/ And I'll just go point by point and tell you my thoughts in light of what I have learned from the scriptures.1.) Sin is disobedience to God’s authority - “Sin reveals its true definition in the parable of the wedding supper as disobedience to God’s authority (Bevere 28)."That is one way to condense the idea of sin. But that is not how I would choose to define sin. I think the "covering theology" definition of sin is too narrow. The Apostle John defined sin as "transgression of the Law." (1 John 3) The idea that sin is defined as disobedience to God's Authority would leave no place for sins of ignorance. Sin is not merely disobedience, it is also transgression. There is a distinction.Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;When a small child lies, he knows he is doing wrong, but he is not being disobedient to God, he is violating his own conscience. And one could argue that God gave him the conscience. But that misses the point. If we do not know we are disobeying God, then it is a different sort of sin. No less punishable, but distinct nonetheless. Transgression.Also, the fact that they reference a parable whose subject is not sin (Matt 22), as revealing the true nature of sin, is an exhibition of the common error where one reads one's own philosophy into a text in order to prove his philosophy.There are really several points to that parable, but to say it somehow especially teaches us that "sin is disobedience to authority," is really missing the primary points, all of them.Matthew 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:In the parable, the subjects of the King, do not really disobey so much as DISRESPECT. Why did they disrespect Christ? Unbelief. The parable is about unbelief, not about disobedience, I don't see any disobedience here. The problem is that they are looking at the parable and trying to interpret it literally instead of discerning what Christ was really talking about. The king is calling people to a wedding, that is not exactly the same as commanding people to participate in a draft. You don't command guests to a wedding because they are supposed to WANT to come.
Christ was God's Divine Son and Messiah and He sent Him as a gift into the world, but instead of being excited and wanting to partake of this great gift they rejected Him. You do not command people to wear wedding garments, because when you get invited to a wedding you naturally WANT to come in the appropriate attire. The guy who gets cast out, got cast out because he did not belong at the wedding, he had no heart for it as evidenced by the fact that he did not dress for it, he still came for some reason which is not given, but he is showing the same DISRESPECT that the earlier subjects showed, so this is evidence of UNBELIEF. Those who have no heart for the kingdom of God, but have attached themselves to it, will be cast out... This parable is about unbelief and the state of our hearts. It is not about disobedience to Authority. So the Covering Theology perspective on this parable is completely wrong.2.) Salvation is only available to those who confess and do the will of God -“We have taught and believed that all you have to do is confess a ‘sinner’s prayer’ and you are ensured a secure place in heaven. We have neglected or placed no emphasis on keeping His commands. This counterfeit grace leads many astray, causing them to make light of obedience. Jesus said those who will be in heaven are those who confess and do the will of God, thus keeping the commands of God (Bevere 31).”:Obedience is important. We must obey God. As the scriptures make it clear that the disobedient will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the assertion that "Salvation is only available to those that confess and do the will of God" is wrong. The term "available" is highly objectionable. God saves us while we are yet sinners. To make salvation contingent on our obedience is to return to the Law. This is legalism. It does not matter how sinful we are, God saves us based on his grace not based on our obedience.Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.In Christ we are saved because of his power and sacrifice, not because of our ability to obey. He - saves - us. If it was a question of obedience, then we would be saving ourselves based on the Laws.Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.In Christ we do not look to ourselves to obey, but rather trust that Christ is working and acting in us and on our behalf to bring us into full obedience. Our obedience is EVIDENCE of our salvation, not a prerequisite. Obviously, if someone claims to have been a Christian for 50 years and shows NO EVIDENCE of their salvation, one might rightly warn that person to examine himself more carefully, whether he is truly in the faith.2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:I am making my calling and election sure to convince myself, not to convince God, he knows whether he saved me or not. The fact remains: People who disobey God fall. Their disobedience is evidence of their fallen nature. But obedience is not what brings us salvation, obedience is an effect of salvation, a sign of the ongoing work of salvation in our lives.1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. So long as I commit any sin, this work is ongoing. I cannot be a child of the devil and be saved, yet I do the works of a child of the devil and believe in Christ, so something has to give, because that contradiction cannot continue forever, I will be one or the other. This is HIS work. I am HIS work. My salvation and righteousness are completely dependent on Christ's continual work in me. I place my complete trust in him for that work because I cannot of my own will change my sinful nature so that I might live sinlessly in complete obedience to God.This work is not instantaneous, but takes place according to the goodness and longsuffering of God. In due time we obtain the promises. That is why the Apostles wrote that we should restore a brother who is discovered to be at fault.Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;God is patient with us. From God's perspective, salvation accomplished before we are born. Because salvation is completely dependant on God's grace, through God's grace, it can never fail. Some people may "seem" to be saved to the human understanding, and others may "seem" lost. But only God knows his work from start to finish, so we ought to be cautious about judging one another or exalting people who "seem" to be "somewhat." And also remember that God is suffering long with us, even if we THINK we live in total obedience to him.Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.I am not a fan of the "sinner's prayer" either, I think that is also a form of legalism. People should be exhorted to continue in the faith, not be assured that everything was accomplished by the repetition of a few sentences. I love to say "we need to ADD to our faith." Which is the opposite of a lot of the popular 16th century scholarship.On the website "coveringandauthority.com" I read the following, for example, against Covering Theology:We are saved by grace through faith.Eph 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.Right.If we add something to faith we fall from that graceGal 5:4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!
Gal 5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness.Wrong. The idea of adding "something" to faith is not what Galatians is talking about. Galatians is talking about returning to the law and seeking to be justified by our own actions and obedience rather than having faith in Christ. If we think that we are saved by the action of saying the sinners prayer and by the action of "placing our faith in Christ" we are adding legalistic works to the Grace of God. We are not saved by our actions, but by God's actions.
We believe in him, that proves we are his, because he drew us into faith. We do not become righteous by commandments and laws which depend on our actions, but by grace through which all the blessings of God flow. Adding to our faith is not an action we take to earn salvation. Adding to the initial work of faith is the natural progression from faith to faith.The Apostles clearly taught that we should look to add "something" to our faith, not in order to obtain salvation, but rather as being a natural outgrowth of a redeemed life.2 Peter 2:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2 Peter 2:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.We partake of the promises of the new covenant by faith in Christ. Among these these promises is the promise that the law of god would be written in our hearts and minds, so that we could obey God from the heart and not from fear of the Law and the obedience of commandments and authorities.Add to your faith. Not the works of the law. But add the objects of the great and precious promises of FAITH.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:We want to add to our faith. We must add to our faith; we add the gifts of God, and the works of the Spirit. These are not prerequisites of salvation, there are the beginning of the fulfillment of the promises of God that we might be partakers of the divine nature and become like Christ.Jesus said those who will be in heaven are those who confess and do the will of GodJesus never spoke of "those who will be in heaven" nor did any of His Apostles. It is a popular misunderstanding.But the point about who will be saved is true. Yes, those who enter inherit the Kingdom of God are doers of the word of God. But they do not get there by virtue of those works. Those works are like the wedding garments of the parable. You MUST wear a wedding garment to the wedding. But you do not need to be wearing a wedding garment to get INVITED to the wedding. And I suppose that the "Covering Theology" people would agree with me that far.
Where I disagree is with the idea that you have to be wearing a wedding garment constantly in all the days leading up to the wedding. Not that we ought to delay to put on righteousness till the last possible moment. Not at all. God forbid. But sin happens. I don't like it, I do not accept it in myself, or encourage it in others. I do not expect my first day in the kingdom to be the first righteous day of my life. But committing sin in this life does not automatically disqualify you from the kingdom.This is what Christ died to save us from: Sin. But we ought to take care and not be slack or careless, because while committing a sin does not automatically disqualify us, committing sin is exactly what will disqualify everyone who is disqualified. Sin is what defines the children of the Devil.Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.Sin is what disqualifies them, and it can also disqualify us if the grace of God is not leading us to righteousness. That is why I continually look to God and I look for righteousness as Peter said to "make your calling and election sure." God is sure about my salvation, but I am not (unless I deceive myself). When I see the righteousness of God coming to fruit in me, I feel assured by God that my salvation is of him. And when I see sin, I place my trust in him to deliver me from the temptation and to change my heart that I might obey him perfectly. I trust that when the wedding day comes my garment will be clean and fitted and that I will be well-accustomed to wearing it. That is my faith, God will save me from this body of death through Christ our Lord.3). Our level faith is directly proportional to our submission to authority“The authority in which we walk is directly proportional to our submission to authority. The great our level of submission, the greater our faith (Bevere 214).”
That is an interesting Philosophy, I do not know where they obtained it. It is a loaded assertion. What Authority? Just "any" Authority?This is what happens when men that are void of the Spirit try to handle the word of God. They always try to kill you with the letter.Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.When one is void of the Spirit it becomes difficult to deal with things like subjection and so forth. They want it to be all or nothing.Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.There is a time to quietly submit to authority and a time to cast off the bindings of the oppressors ...and there is faith in both. Your faith is also directly proportional to your willingness to cast off the oppression of falsely instituted authorities which God having once instituted has now, by his spirit, marked for extinction.Did not God give the Mormons into the hand of Joseph Smith? Did not God give him power over them? Do they not obey him? But they ought not obey him.Submission is very important, but it is not this absolute thing in every circumstance. We are slaves, but we are also sons. There is a spiritual authority that goes beyond earthly rulers, sometimes the authority of the will of the people outweighs the will of the rulers, sometimes it is the opposite. We need to be attuned to God's Spirit so that when uncertain times come we know when to lay down our swords, and also when to take them up according to the will of God, I'm speaking spiritually primarily but not exclusively. There is a time to kill. Christ himself shall wash his garments in the blood of his enemies. And his servants, in the last days, will smite the earth with plagues.I submitted myself to the authority of Church elders until God stirred me up to rebuke them. God judge between me and them. I am content, they are not.4). Grace is the power of God to obey him“True grace has been given to empower us to obey what He demands of us. The writer of Hebrews said it best: “Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably” (Heb 12:28). Grace empowers us to serve God in an acceptable manner, which is in accordance with His will (Bevere 31).No. That is only one aspect of Grace, one of the gifts of God according to the promise of the new covenant. "I will write my laws in their hearts" that does not mean they will memorize them, it means that righteousness will become natural to them. But that is not the definition of Grace. I agree with the idea that God, by his grace, empowers us to do his will, but grace is God's favor towards us, and his grace is manifest in many ways.
The Grace of God is mainfest in his forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The Grace of God is manifest in the life of Christ:
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
The Grace of God precedes obedience:
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
When Paul was made a minister is was "according to the gift of the grace of God." given by God's power. Grace, in this case is definitely not obedience, but rather the election of God.
Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
The Grace of God teaches us to obey, it is not merely the ability to obey.Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
If Grace is the ability to obey, then the following becomes circular. The works of righteousness which we do get shifted down to verse 7 "being justified by the works of righteousness which we do by his grace..."
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
They seem to be intent on defining things very narrowly based on personal opinions and not on the complete teachings of Christ and His Apostles.5). All authority is instituted by God“First, who are these ‘governing authorities’? In this specific text [Rom 13:1-7] Paul referred to civil or governmental authorities. However, these words of exhortation apply not only to governmental leaders but also encompass other areas of delegated authority. What we glean from this text should be applied to all areas of delegated authority (Bevere 87).”“Every soul is to be subject to authorities because God has appointed all governing authorities in our lives (Bevere 88).”All authority is instituted by God, true, but for different purposes. God make some vessels to honor and some to dishonor. So some authorities are instituted to be overthrown. Just as the potter makes one piece of clay into a beautiful vase and and other into a clay disc for me to shoot at with my shotgun. To say that God institutes all authorities is stating the obvious, but the statement is tainted with the presumption that God actually LIKES all these authorities or intends them to continue indefinitely.By this idea about authority can become absurd: it does not define "authority," so if I declare myself an Authority, then God has instituted me. What king did not become king but by violence and force? How much more shall I be a father to all Christians if I declare it so by Authority of God? And who are you to contradict me? The authority I give myself is also instituted by God, if all authority is instituted by God. ALL AUTHORITY. So I am now the Leader of all Christians, I have authority over all believers, to disobey me is to disobey the commandment of God himself, because I am an Authority instituted by God. The Prophet. That is how all denominations basically derive their authority, they declare themselves to be Authorities. They feel good about it because they are not alone.Isa 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.My submission to authority is dependant on the Spirit of God, if the spirit of God says "obey," I obey, if God says "refuse" I refuse. Tear them down and let the seats of their authority be burned to the ground. The spirit of God is the greatest Authority in the Earth.Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.The point of Romans 13 is not that we should blindly submit to every authority that claims to be an authority. There are conditions and reasons for us to submit. We submit to earthly authority only to the extent that it is congruent with our concept of GOOD and is profitable for the Gospel. When it came to burning incense to the Roman gods, the Christians refused, despite the fact that the Roman Government was a power instituted by God. Were they resisting God in that case? I think not. But God still instituted the Romans, but the purpose in this case was that they might be resisted. God did not Give them their power and Authority in order for them to force unjust customs on people. but rather, as Paul said, to be a "terror" to evil works, not to good. When Authorities become a terror to Good works, then the hand of God turns against them and we do not have to obey them when the would force us to disobey God..The only real evidence of God's institution is power. But when the authorities abuse that power, we cannot submit to that, lest we become accessories to their evil deeds. So that would exclude all church Authorities in America that I have ever encountered, I have found them all to be void of authority. When God gives an authority real power, that is a sign of proper institution, for good or for evil.6). God establishes his rule in the church through people he has delegated to be his authority“Since God has has appointed all authorities, we refuse the authority behind them if we dishonor or refuse to submit to them. Whether we know it or not, we resist the ordinance or the rule of God (Bevere 88)”Ah, Yes, I am the leader of all Christians, disobey me at your own peril ! Or maybe we should all get down on our knees and become Catholics. But really, what gives anyone on Earth authority from God? It seems to me that if you have a building and get enough people to support you, that makes you some sort of authority. Where is the scripture that authorizes that sort of authority? It is basically mob authority.Honestly, I think they confuse authority with respect of persons. True authority comes from God. Respect of persons is the result of being in a high position in the world of men. Being educated, having wealth, having nice clothes, these are the only real "authoritative" things I see (in Ed Young for instance), and these are not marks of authority, but rather he is causing people to obey him based on respect of persons rather than based on any god-given authority. What miracles have they done to claim authority in God? How has God testified of their authority? Or is this merely their own philosophy which they attempt to make people accept based on the force of their outward wealth and position? The latter.I think they are frauds.“This text should read [1Sam 10:21-22] “For rebellion is witchcraft.” This clarifies the context of this scripture. It is one thing to liken rebellion to witchcraft, but an entirely different issue to say it is actually witchcraft. Obviously a true Christian would never knowingly practice witchcraft. But how many are under its influence unknowingly because of the deception of rebellion?…Apparently, this person does not understand metaphor .It is one thing to liken rebellion to witchcraft, but an entirely different issue to say it is actually witchcraft.No..., if it is a metaphor, to say "the sun is like a great orange in the sky" may not really any different than saying "the sun is a great orange in the sky." Simile and Metaphor. Rebellion is not witchcraft, but metaphorically speaking, it is like witchcraft in the sight of God. Honestly, I learned about metaphor in the 3rd grade.Witchcraft directly opens one to the demonic realm. It’s goal is to control circumstances, situations, or people through various avenues, often without the participant’s understanding of what is happening in the spirit realm. There is a range from total ignorance of what one is doing to complete understanding and awareness of the powers of darkness involved. In essence witchcraft can be practiced either with total unawareness or with complete knowledge. Its goal is control, but inevitably the controller becomes the controlled due to the involvement with the demonic realm (Bevere 67-68)”.Basically, they are using fear to make people obey men, despite what the Spirit of God may be telling them in their hearts. Obey, because obedience is more important than any other consideration...It is dangerous. There will be spiritual abuse in these churches, guaranteed.7). People should live by the principle of obedience rather than reason“These men and women thought their insubordination was against Moses and not in any way connect to God. They thought they had successfully separated the two. They lived by reasoning instead of by the principle of obedience. Those who walk by the limited reasoning produced by sight and circumstances find themselves on the path of folly (Bevere 145).”Again, there is an "all or nothing" approach here. As though we are faced with an absolute choice between the two ideas. I live by obedience and by reason.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
The biblical term for sound reasoning would be discernment or understanding. In Christ we are not called to blind obedience to authority. Authority is a fear mechanic.Romans 13:3 ...Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?...2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.There is a great spiritual authority residing in me and in every man that hears my words, The Holy Spirit. I trust that the people of God know by what authority I speak. And I trust they know whom they ought to obey. The only authority the people of God are subject to is the voice of truth, and they obey. The example given here is not even clearly a "reason vs. obey" moment. They had faulty reasoning.I have been in authority for nearly twenty years, and I have never had to pull rank or assert myself when I was in the right. The only times I was ever tempted to do that was when my own mistakes caused those under me to begin to question my authority. In other words, if you are truly operating under God's authority, your authority will make its own way, you only need to artificially prop yourself up by demanding obedience to your "authority" when you start to stray from under the authority that put you in power in the first place. That is the voice of honest experience.
This whole doctrine sound like a bunch of men with evil consciences creating a system of belief under which their position is protected an un assailable. They are con-men of the worst sort.8). People should always obey authority unless they are clearly instructed to violate scripture“Whether the authority is civil, family, church, or social, God admonishes a submissive regard to be our attitude, and we are to obey in action, unless authority tell us us to do what is clearly seen in Scripture as sin. Let me emphasize the word clearly. In the cases noted the believers did not obey when commanded to deny Christ, murder, worship other gods, or directly subvert a command of Jesus. They were not gray areas or judgement calls (Bevere 141).”What complicates the affair is when the people who want to subject you to their authority are also the people who are interpreting the bible for you. If they muddy the waters of our understanding, how will we know whether they should be obeyed or not? I mean, this is not about paying our taxes or obeying American law. This is about church power, plain and simple. If a church starts teaching false doctrine they are already clearly violating the scriptures and negating their own authority, but they are telling those who have subjected themselves to them that it is the truth. It is insidious.9). The line of authority extends in the home where the father holds the highest authority“These commands, also found elsewhere in the New Testament set forth God’s authority structure in the home. Children are to obey their parents in all things, which includes every area of life (Bevere 195).”“Let’s turn our attention to divine order in marriage. Scripture tells us, wives are to submit to their husbands ‘in everything’ (Eph 5:24). this command applies not just to spiritual things, but to natural areas of life as well (Bevere 201).”Ok, so what? It is in the execution of that authority that all the problems arise. My wife has no problem with my authority. But if she disobeys me, it is not the end of the world. It creates conflict. A wise leader listens to his advisors and subordinates. I could write a book about married life, but really, they are saying little with this. Those in authority are under a greater judgment. I'll pit my husband and father authority which extends naturally from the gifts God has given me against all the fake authority which they, by craft and cunning, attempt to ram down the throats of those whom they would make subject to themselves.10). Spiritual authority and blessing flows to those who suffer under authority“Spiritual authority is promised to those who suffer like Christ. The greater hardship you endure, the greater the authority God entrusts to you. Again, you see that God sets you up for a blessing when you encounter unreasonable authority. But will you respond correct and receive the blessing, or will you become resentful and bitter? The choice is yours. Choose the way of the overcomer, which is life (Bevere 177)!”Yes, when we suffer we are rewarded, but most of the suffering under authority comes from our defiance of authority. If we submit, we generally do not suffer. If we suffer it means that the authority has found some fault with us. Right or wrong, the reasons we suffer persecution usually have nothing to do with submitting to authority. For example, Chinese Christians do not suffer when they go to state-run churches, that is submission to Authority, they suffer when they try to have church according to their conscience.11). God does not judge people on the fruit of their life but on how faithfully they followed authority“Our judgement will be relative to our submission, for authority if of God. To resist delegated authority is to resist God’s authority. We should not take upon ourselves the pressure to discern beforehand whether leaders are right nor not. Nor should we judge after the fact. This is not our burden, but God’s He alone knows and can change hearts as he so desires (Bevere 147)” .I like the way he says "we" as if he places himself in the same category as those who must submit. That is really cunning. Who is the top dog? It seriously begs the question. Who then is the man who answers to no one but God? It sure isn't me.But, "Wow!" they are really big on AUTHORITY. But I guess my mind goes back to the idea of Church authority. Who delegates the authority to the "Covering Theology" Churches to exist? How did they get this authority? Who made them rulers and leaders over us? They were certainly never made my leaders.If God really has this authoritarian ideal in mind for the church... then why when Paul became an Apostle did he not immediately go up to Jerusalem to those who were in authority before him?Galatians 1:16 ... immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Galatians 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
If God was keen on this sort of organizational authority, (and that is what it is: obey them that have organizations!) one would expect that Paul would be sent immediately to the elders at Jerusalem and be brought under their authority as an example to the rest of us.But Paul from the beginning is challenging the other Apostles over issues like circumcision and even rebuking Peter when he thought his behavior was Hypocritical. This is not to say that every man is an Apostle Paul, but the point is that if such ideas were truly at the core of Christian theology, we would see more of it in the doctrine of the Apostles.Also, if they really believed all this they would become Catholics immediately and cease the rebellion against that authority. But, of course, then they would not be in authority anymore, would they? No, they would have to submit to others. But they are a rebellious coven of witches. Hypocrites.12). Those outside the local church and the covering of its leaders are at serious risk of spiritual attackBalaam declared there was no sorcery or divination effective against the people of God! What an exciting and powerful statement! To bring this truth forward into today’s time frame, we would say, “There is no witchcraft that works against God’s people, nor any divination against His Church!’ (Num 23:23, author’s paraphrase)."The local church" that is a laugh. Which local church? The nearest one geographically? That would make the most sense. Whatever church building is nearest you geographically is the church you belong to, and you must submit to it's authority. Right? Ha! I looked at Ed Young's videos on YouTube and I bet people in his congregation drive past many MANY churches to attend his hip, modern church. What a farce!What these people fail to understand is that the Church is not the same as a church. I'm always in the Church. The so-called "local church" is just a cultural phenomena. In this age of communications the local church is an outdated cultural leftover from the dark-ages. The local church existed because we needed to gather together; for every 100 or so people there was PERHAPS a single copy of the bible, and how else could we edify one another but by coming together in a single physical location? But I find very little edification in churches these days. It is basically a lecture, I can get that on YouTube if I want. And if I want personal contact, Well I never found much of that in church either. And I get more Church benefits than fifty people in a traditional church. From the beginning the Church was Christ's body and has always been, he maintains it and saves it. The earthly authoritarian organizations we call "churches" are not the church. The church is God's people, the church is not the carrion birds that lodge in the branches of the kingdom and build their filthy nests in its boughs.
I would definitely consider the teachings of Covering Theology to be incorrect. I would also assert that this sort of doctrine will inevitably lead to abuse. This doctrine is a formula ripe for creating a socially cultic church congregation.Sincerely,Paul Stringini