Authority (with Study Questions)

How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing

Jonathan Leeman

• Publisher: Crossway
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9798874905637
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Accessible Guide from 9Marks Equips Believers to Steward Their God-Given Authority

In every position of power—from executives and world leaders to church elders and parents—lies the potential for life-giving leadership or destructive corruption. Driven by sinful pride or opportunism, many people abuse their God-given authority, harming the ones they're called to lead and contributing to a skeptical attitude toward leadership. The answer to bad authority, however, is not no authority, but good authority—the kind that, according to Scripture, causes those under it to flourish.
 
In this compelling guide from 9Marks, Jonathan Leeman shows that authority, done biblically, is not only good but essential to human flourishing. Through Scripture and many first-hand stories, he presents 5 attributes of positive authority and warns against sinfulness that corrupts leadership. Dozens of study questions throughout the book guide readers as they think through each chapter individually or with a group. Pointing to Jesus as the ultimate model of good authority, Leeman equips readers to pursue godly influence in their personal and professional lives. 

• Applicable: Challenges readers to identify weaknesses in their own leadership style and offers 5 attributes of godly authority
• Engaging: Filled with compelling stories that illustrate key points
• A Great Resource for Pastors, Employers, Officers, and Parents: Helps readers understand how to practice godly authority in church, at home, and in the workplace
• Created for Individual or Group Study: This edition features study questions in each chapter of the book, encouraging deeper reflection and discussion 

Table of contents

• Cover
• Newsletter Signup
• Endorsements
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Tables and Illustrations
• Series Preface
• Prelude A Prayer of Confession
• Introduction Our Angst about Authority
• Part I What Is Authority?
• 1 Authority Is God’s Good Creation Gift for Sharing His Rule and Glory
• 2 Authority Is Satan’s Sinister Scheme for Supplanting God
• 3 Authority Is Christ’s Claim to Rescue and Redeem
• Part II What Is Submission?
• 4 Submission Is the Path to Growth, Authority, and Likeness to the God-Man
• 5 Submission Is Never Absolute and Always Has Limits
• Part III How Does Good Authority Work? Five Principles
• 6 It Is Not Unaccountable, but Submits to a Higher Authority
• 7 It Doesn’t Steal Life, but Creates It
• 8 It Is Not Unteachable, but Seeks Wisdom
• 9 It Is Neither Permissive nor Authoritarian, but Administers Discipline
• 10 It Is Not Self-Protective, but Bears the Costs
• Part IV What Does Good Authority Look Like in Action?
• 11 Two Kinds of Authority: Command and Counsel
• 12 The Husband (Counsel)
• 13 The Parent (Command)
• 14 The Government ( Command)
• 15 The Manager ( Command)
• 16 The Church ( Command)
• 17 The Elder (Counsel)
• Conclusion Equality, the Fear of God, and a Reward
• Postlude A Prayer of Praise
• Study Questions
• General Index
• Scripture Index