“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you …” (Luke 22:25b-26a, NKJV)
We are currently still discussing the historical establishing of the myth of the reverend/pastor as the ‘centre’ of the ecclesia.
Michael Grant, in his book on church history and the sociological influence it had on the immediate community, Early Christianity and Society, points out how since Constantine actually took over the world government at the beginning of the fourth century, he also had a direct influence on the church leadership. Because the government was nestled in a single person or despot, and hierarchically dwindled downwards from there on, it was easy to also build other structures in which the authority was settled in one single person. “The organization of the church adapted itself to the political and geographical divisions of the Empire.” (Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church). With time “the church became a full-fledged, top-down, hierarchically organized society” (Viola & Barna: Pagan Christianity).
In his book, Caeser and Christ, Will Durant makes it clear: “When Christianity conquered Rome the ecclesiastical structure of the pagan church, the title and vestments of the pontifex maximus … and the pageantry of immemorial ceremony, passed like maternal blood into the new religion, and captive Rome captured her conqueror.”
This state of affairs clearly went against the grain of what Jesus was trying to do. In relief to the political hierarchy Jesus presents the working of authority in the kingdom of God as a completely different system: “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” (Matt. 20:25-28).
It is important to note that Jesus (and also Paul, later) represent a new order of leadership. For the new Israel there is only one head, and that is Jesus (Col. 1:18). Within this Roman system the clergy (that have by now become an entire hierarchical system of workers) carried the same authority as the senior members of the Roman Empire. Priests and other spiritual leaders also enjoyed many other benefits. They did not for instance have to be involved in any service to the community; they could not be sued or have to appear in court; and they did not have to undergo any army training (Collins & Price: The Story of Christianity).
As recognition for their work, as well as in establishing their stature, Constantine was responsible for establishing one of the greatest evils of the Christian church – each of these learnered men received a ministerial salary every year. In 313 AC this salary then also became tax-free (Richard Hanson: The Christian Priesthood Examined).
- Selah: Can you recognize your contemporary church organisation within this historical overview?
- Read: 106-107.
- Memorise: 106:15 (also apply to this teaching).
- For a more in-depth understanding: Read any of the books mentioned above.
