Date of Award
1-1965
Document Type
Master's Essay - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Theology
Abstract
If we go to the New Testament to look for the meaning of authority, we may be surprised to find that the Latin word "auctoritas" is never used by St. Jerome in his translation of the Greek words exousia or dynamis or of any New Testament concepts which denote authority or power in the Christian Community. Exousia plays an important role in the work and Person of Jesus (John 1:12; 10:18; Matt . 28:18). It is identical with His being, transcending any trace of domination or authority exercised by men. Christ holds supreme dominion with the Father over all creation (Matt . 11:27). He is with the Father the source of all creation, of all life (John 1:3). But the marvel of Christianity and true insight into the nature of authority exercised in Christianity, stems from the fact that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity became man, and though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave (Phil. 2:6).
Recommended Citation
Shekleton, M. Charline, "The Biblical Notion of Authority" (1965). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 5766.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/5766
Comments
An Essay Submitted to the Department of Theology Marquette University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Theology, Milwaukee, Wisconsin