Definition
Religious Authority refers to the claim that an institution, doctrine, or leader speaks for God and possesses binding spiritual jurisdiction over individuals.
Context
Historically, religious authority has operated through claims of divine mandate. These claims are often reinforced through sacraments, ordination, doctrinal boundaries, and disciplinary structures. Within the Yeshuan Model, such authority is understood as belonging to the covenantal age that has ended.
Authority may exist socially or organizationally, but it does not carry divine mediation.
Implications
Removing divine authority from institutions decentralizes spiritual control. Individuals cannot rely on collective validation to secure spiritual standing. Responsibility becomes personal.
This shift also alters how scripture and tradition are approached. They function as resources for study rather than as mechanisms of control.
Common Misunderstanding
Critiquing religious authority is sometimes perceived as hostility toward leadership. The Yeshuan Model distinguishes between leadership and divine mediation.