Christian Authority

There seems to be some controversy over what spiritual authority Christians actually have. Some claim that Christians must be careful because angels are more powerful than humans so we should not overstep our authority. Often, two pieces of Scripture are used to support this tenant:

1.      Psalm 8:4-5 (NIV) – what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

2.      Jude 9 (NIV) – But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

So, is this correct, or are there arguments to these supporting Scriptures?

Well, yes, there are counter arguments. Yet, we also need to understand that Scripture does not contradict itself. So, how can we have a counter argument to this but still not contradict Scripture at the same time?

To look at this, there are several aspects we need to consider.

If we look at the Hebrew word for “angel” we find that it is almost always the word malak (which means messenger), except for Psalm 8:5 where the word is elohim (which everywhere else in Scripture this word is translated God or god). For this reason, there are some translations of Psalm 8:5 that have it read, “You have made him a little lower than God and crowned him with glory and honor” (G&H).

The reason for the “discrepancy” is how certain words are interpreted. Just as in English, a word can mean different things depending upon its context. If we look at these words more literally, we get something like this: What is a mere mortal that you think of him? Or the son of a man, that you care for him? For you have made him a little god and crowned him with glory and honor. The text then goes on to show the glory and honor given: all the animal kingdoms of the earth are under man.

That creates a new way of looking at this verse, doesn’t it? I think the main point here is that human beings are subservient to God and there is no real reason for God to have any concern for us, but contrary to how things look, God does care about us, and cares about us deeply.

Why did the biblical scholars translate the word elohim, which is almost always translated as God to be translated as angels in only this Old Testament verse? I can’t say for sure, but it may partly be due to how the writer of Hebrews used this verse. Yet, this writer modified the quote slightly. Hebrews 2:6-9 (NIV) says “But there is a place where someone has testified: ‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.’ In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

The New Testament is written in Greek, so the word for angel is not the same actual word as used in Psalms. The Greek word used here for “angels” is angelos and is the word used almost exclusively for a word meaning messengers and can therefore be talking about spiritual beings or humans depending upon their capacity and role as a messenger.

Is this a discrepancy between this passage in Psalms and Hebrews? Well, no. Why? When God created mankind, i.e., Adam and Eve, they were created lower than God, not necessarily lower than angels. It’s hard to compare rank when their roles are so different. Power and strength are not necessarily the same. For example, we say that a king is the most powerful person of a kingdom, but that does not mean he is so in actual strength. There are many under him who could easily defeat and overthrow him, but they are loyal to his leadership and commands. They are subservient to the king, although not necessarily weaker than the king. God was giving Adam the kingdom of the Earth. Yet, when Adam rebelled, his status changed because his actions turned his kingdom over to Satan.

This is the point the writer of Hebrews is making. Jesus Christ was not made lower than God because he is God (Jn 10:30). He was placed where Adam placed all his descendants: lower than the angels, and within Satan’s domain.

Why did Adam’s position change? What exactly did he do that resulted in such a drastic turn of events? He rebelled. Can eating a piece of fruit really be classified in the same category as a coup? To answer that, we need to understand the definition of rebellion. One of its simplest definitions is going against authority. What did Adam do? We went against God’s authority, against God’s will (see Are We Going Backwards?). In some ways, the position of Adam and Satan changed. Rather than humans being born in Adam’s kingdom, we are now all born into Satan’s kingdom. How do we know this? One way to know is understanding that when Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered Christ the kingdoms of this world (Mt 4:8-10). How did he obtain these kingdoms? From Adam (Lessons Moses and Elijah Give Us).

In addition, Jesus himself stated that he did not come into the world to condemn the world because we are already condemned (Jn 3:18). That is why we don’t need to do anything to be lost forever, because we already are! But we must make a decision to be transferred into God’s kingdom (Struggle for the World). Satan has cleverly made us believe that we must choose to be with him or be with God. Therefore, many people say, “Well I certainly don’t won’t to have anything to do with Satan, but I’m not sure I’m ready to turn my will over to God either,” like they are in their own domain and can decide to follow Satan, Christ, or themselves. Satan is the father of lies (Jn 8:44). You only have one choice. Remain in your current state which leads to destruction and forever separated from God and all those you love or yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. That’s when you are transferred into His kingdom and will be with him forever.

Before we go further, let’s look at the second verse provided above. We’ll do that next time. I hope you join me.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens