Spiritual Authority

This book puts into perspective the authorities we all have in our lives, and the importance of respecting each of them as authorities placed by God. It breaks down very simply why, whether we agree with their practices why we are to obey them accordance with Godly principles. As all Nee books...GREAT! Michael Kramer is also an excellent narrator.

My husband and I listened to this book. It gave us a different perspective on Spiritual Authority. Some of the book was a little repetitive and the narrator was without much expression in his voice, which made the book a little boring to listen to at times. The ideas found in this book were very insightful. We would recommend this book.

Flawed and misleading. Samuel rebuked David. In speaking of David's authority Nee ignores the texts that explain why Solomon, not David, built the temple. And what of Peter's authority? How is it that Paul could confront him? Is not the ultimate authority the Word of God and the Holy Spirit demonstrating fruit, Christian character?

A few more flaws: In this audio book Nee says, “Loneliness is the mark of authority. It is not due to pride but for the sake of representing God’s authority.” What? Look at Jesus' life? Does not Paul mention his beloved friends? Nee asks, “What if the authority is wrong?” Nee says we must obey. What? So when I'm with Peter I require Gentiles to be circumcised; and when I'm with Paul I don't? Nonsense! Paul uses Scripture and a reasoned argument to show Peter the great spiritual leader was wrong. Then there is Nee's breaking the outer man. There's really nothing of that in Scripture. Nee's speaks of breaking the outer shell to release life. While the New Testament and one psalm speak of an inner self, the heart, the voice and true feelings inside our head, there's nothing about an outer shell or outer man. The only 'outer' is the words of our mouth and our physical actions. That should not be "broken" but transformed to conform to a renewed 'Spirit-filled' mind.

By his own standards, Nee is not a spiritual authority. In a sermon given on August 8, 1951, Nee says, “I was pushed to lie.” By then the Shanghai Local Church split in two between those who refused to join the Communist Three-Self Movement, and Nee and his local church group that did. The eyewitnesses I personally interviewed and books still in Chinese say that Nee did more than lie.

Great actors enrich themselves by memorizing and discoursing words of others that are not in keeping with the meditations of their hearts. So many of us prefer the 'dramatis personae,' the double-minded great evangelist, than Stephan the martyr or the humble, faithful small town pastor.