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Authority - The Imperative for Christian Leaders

Authority: The Imperative for Christian Leaders
By Charles Sibthorpe
Highland Books. 191 pages. £4.99
ISBN 1 896913 26 5

Charles Sibthorpe rightly identifies the need for the Christian's proper understanding of true spiritual authority, especially the need to submit to God's Word. In dealing with the need to submit to others, however, nowhere does he warn of the inherent dangers of uncritical submission.
The tone of sincerity and compassion Mr. Sibthorpe sets in his book cannot, however, cover up for its glaringly unbiblical inadequacies. Mr. Sibthorpe's ministry has apparently fallen prey to the twin plagues of contemporary neo-evangelism: the focusing on the sensuous 'impression-led' belief and practice and the leaning towards formulaic belief, laced with anti-intellectualism. 'The more of God's life, presence and authority there is in your life, the more of His power and authority will be released, through you, into the life of others' (p. 29), and: 'Authority will not come through diligent study, but through a fresh meeting with God' (p. 14). Thus getting 'zapped' gives spiritual authority; knowledge of God's Word comes a poor second.
There are some stunningly unbiblical statements. The most glaring is: 'If no one is responding to you, then you have no spiritual authority and are not a leader.' I can only presume Mr. Sibthorpe is not familiar with the lonely and largely unresponsive furrow ploughed by all of the Old Testament prophets, by the apostles, by Jesus himself, by Martin Luther ... need I go on? Elsewhere, he states that tongues 'is a key that opens the door to other gifts' (p. 172). Such a statement is directly opposed by 1 Corinthians 12.29-30 which says: 'Are all apostles? Are all prophets? ... Do all speak in tongues?' Paul is stating simple truths: 'No, they are not ... no, they do not.' Brought into the light of Scripture, such statements are shown up for what they are - manmade, spiritual-sounding wisdom.
There is much jargon i.e. 'heart principles'. There is the suggestion that a true believer can be possessed (p. 128) and that the writing down of impressions 'given to him (i.e. Sibthorpe)' are 'similar to prophecy' (p. 144).
Mr. Sibthorpe is clearly a nice man. Sadly, his book is very much in tune with the experiential, anti-intellectual and unbiblical climate in the contemporary evangelical church. It will probably be a best-seller.

Peter Glover