By Fr. Alexander Men
When discussing the authority left by the Lord to the Church, we must dismiss any notion of it resembling earthly authority. Forget that church authorities in the Middle Ages and other times sometimes resembled state power. This authority is fundamentally different and cannot be compared.
The Lord said: “Whoever desires to be first must serve all,” and “Do not be called leaders, teachers, or fathers—do not dominate others.” This indicates a rejection of the social authority of the Church. Even the Pope’s title as “servant of the servants of God” reflects this. Though ecclesiastical authority has historically been despotic, the ideal of servanthood remains. Any deviation is just a distortion, measured against the intended standard.
Peter’s appointment shows that not all apostles were people of high rank, chosen intentionally. People like Paul and educated figures followed, but initially, the Lord chose those outside the social elite. They were “unlearned and simple,” yet the Church was born through the Spirit of God, not human qualities.
Christ, unlike figures like Confucius, Buddha, or Plato, relied on no political base. His disciples were neither politically nor economically powerful, emphasizing God’s power working through ordinary people. This foundation reassures that faith isn’t limited to the elite.
Christ’s ordinary life contrasts with claims that His ways aren’t for everyone. The Church, evolving as a social entity, forms a community with distinct functions, similar to a body’s organs. But spreading the Gospel involves sharing the word of God, not just words, as it is “His” word: “Whoever listens to you, listens to Me.”
The Church’s structure isn’t divinely mandated but has evolved; Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants debate its organization. Christ left no concrete instructions but emphasized servanthood over hierarchy. Authority within the Church should be spiritual, not external, and new traditions shouldn’t overshadow the Gospel.
Khomyakov emphasized no external authority exists in the Church, only spiritual. Discipline within the Church isn’t divine but is necessary for unity. We freely accept the Gospel’s authority, seeking communal harmony. True authority isn’t imposed but willingly embraced.
A teacher questioned the Church’s history, like the Inquisition, seeking clarity. There remains a distinction between the genuine and the imaginary, reiterated by characters in “The Power and the Glory” reflecting on God’s enduring presence, not reliant on human figures.
Western theologians pondering Christianity’s future often miss that the Church remains beyond mere sociology. It’s both divine and human, sustained by a miracle and not just common interests. It unites us through the mystery of God’s presence among us.
Power is given conditionally, emphasizing servanthood. While the notion of a high priest is sociologically sensible, providing convenient church autonomy, it risks being misused. But it’s vital to distinguish between Christ’s true Church and its external manifestations.
Source in Russian: From the collection “World Spiritual Culture,” Conversations on Christ and the Church,
https://damian.center/men
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