| Ministerial Authority
Why do Christians blindly believe what their pastors or famous TV or radio evangelists tell them? I have found that most Christians that I have talked to base their own belief system on what they were told by a minister that they perceive as having authority over them. The validity of these ministers’ statements and teachings are not established. Instead, Christians reckon that what they are told is true or from God. I have also noticed that many TV evangelists make statements that add a false sense of authority to those who don’t know the truth.
What are the consequences of such practices in the Christian community? What are the consequences of ignorance? First of all the Bible implies that ignorance leads to destruction (Hosea 4:6). We are also admonished to obtain knowledge and told of the importance of knowledge (Proverbs). The following are some practical consequences of the "believe what you are told" theology.
- The truth is never obtained as a matter of fact. It is only relative to the assertion of someone else.
- The word of God cannot be completely secured in the heart and mind because His word is not definitely known.
- Confusion results when another minister in authority teaches a different message. The confusion results from the basic question "who should I believe?"
- Unfulfilled life due to living someone else’s doctrine and not seeking God’s word and purpose for you for yourself.
- Relationships damaged or severed because one party comes with facts and the other argues with only what he/she was told and not the facts.
- Ineffective witness to those outside of your church realm.
The above demonstrates the importance of knowing the word of God for yourself in addition to having a personal relationship with Christ.
Click here to read the entire article | 
