"Thinking Eternally, Acting Locally." - Neal August
One of the truths of life is that an organization
generally reflects the character, mentality, and motivations of its leadership.
This is true in governments, businesses, and churches. Why this is the case is
uncertain and the subject of debate among psychologists, theologians, and those
who study organizational leadership, but practical experience nevertheless
bears this truth out. A probable explanation may be found in the Hebrew
conception of the individual. The ancient Hebrew’s believed a person’s personality
could extend throughout his household and have subtle and indirect influence
upon it. A strong solidarity then could exist through the household so that it
could be conceived as a psychical whole. Therefore, an oscillation existed
between individuals and the whole. This concept of corporate solidarity and
oscillation could extend beyond the individual and household to institutions,
nations, and the world itself. Biblical examples of this would be the penal
solidarity that existed between Achan and his household (Josh 7:16-26), the
similar solidarity that existed between King David and his people (2 Sam 24),
and that which exists between Jesus as Christ and his Church (1 Cor 6:13-20;
10:14-22; 11:17-34; 12:12-27; Eph 1:22-23; 2:4-16; 3:6; 4:4, 11-16; 5:23, 30;
Col 1:1, 24; 2:16-19; 3:15; Rom 12:3-8). But such representation and corporate
solidarity is not irrespective of the behavior of the individual. While God may
visit the sins of the parents upon the children (Exod 20:5; 34:7; Num 14:18;
and Deut 5:9), the children (or the parents) are never punished because of
another’s sins (Deut 5:9; 24:16, Ezek 18:20). This isn’t a discrepancy. Rather,
it is evidence of the spiritual influence the head of a household has upon
shaping the mentality and behavior of that household, both for the good and the
bad.[1] This
is why the Bible stresses the importance of raising a child in the ways of the
Lord.[2]
Indeed, the shaping effect can be profound. Both consciously and unconsciously
we pick up the habits, temperament, and even the sins of our parents. Those
born in a swamp, raised in a swamp, and live their whole lives never leaving a
swamp, often never learn there is something better than living in a swamp. The
influence of leading a household can transfer to general leadership in leading
a church or other institution. This is one reason the pastorals see good
household management as a prerequisite for church leadership (1 Tim 3:4-5;
Titus 1:6). Nevertheless, the influence of the leadership is not absolutely
determinate for the behavior of the followers. These are generalities that can
allow for particulars. Good parents can have bad children, and bad parents can
have good children. We are all judged based on our own behavior. Even in
Christ, while we are justified by faith in the present, future justification is
based upon our Spirit-enabled works (Rom 2:13, 15-16, 26-29; 14:10-12; Phil
1:10-11; 2:12; 3:12-16; 1 Cor 3:15; 4:4-5; 5:5; 2 Cor 5:10; Eph 6:8; 2 Thes
1:11; Ps 62:12; Jas 1:22-25; 2:20; Matt 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke
18:18-23). It is the Spirit’s influence that is working through our freedom,
sanctifying us in Christ (Phil 1:6, 2:13; 4:13; 1 Cor 15:10; Col 1:10, 29; Rom
8:2-27; Gal 5:22-23; 6:8; 2 Cor 3; Deut 30; Jer 31:33-34; Joel 2:28-29; Jas
1:21; Matt 19:23-30; Mark 10:23-31; Luke 18:24-30).[3]
We can think of headship in terms influence, having
either positive or negative effect upon followers and the general environment.
The head influences the body. If Christ is head of the Church (his body), then
those in him are influenced by him and his Spirit. Thus, Paul can make the
comparison between those in Christ and those who are in Adam (Rom 5:12-21) in
which the latter figure’s sin caused a ripple effect throughout humanity,
influencing others to sin and gradually multiplying and deepening the problem
throughout history. More and more individuals becoming fallen heads and
spiritually influencing others into sinful depravity. Leaders and influencers
from parents, to pastors, to bosses, to politicians, all influencing and
defining the character, mentality, and motivations of the organizations and
institutions under them. Whether it is from family, culture, nation, work
environment, or church, we continually adopt the thinking of our surroundings
and being influenced into particular behavior. We unconsciously breathe in the
air of the spirit of our age (see chapter 16). Headship of such collective
bodies then becomes a determining factor in the psychology, culture, and
Zeitgeist of the institution. An Achan or an Eli will corrupt his family. A
David or a Solomon will corrupt the nation. A Josiah might have a positive
effect, but an Ahab is more common. A Sam Cathy would bless; a Miranda Priestly
would curse. You might get a Billy Graham, or you might get a Pat Peterson.
Regardless, because everyone sins, everyone is a negative influence, though
some are obviously worse than others. Nevertheless, a little bit leavens the
whole lump (1 Cor 5).
Importantly, headship and leadership are not
synonymous, but they frequently overlap because leaders generally have
significant influence. A notable exception would be the Christian wife of an
unbelieving husband (1 Cor 7:13-16). She as a Spirit-filled believer has
spiritual influence upon the household, sanctifying the unbelieving husband and
children. Such sanctification does not mean salvation upon unbelieving family
members; it simply means that she has a positive influence upon them to the
point where it influences their behavior in a positive direction. Similarly,
while individual Christians may or may not be in positions of direct
leadership, we are nevertheless called to be the light of the world, the salt
of the earth, and vessels of the Spirit of God’s sanctifying influence upon
creation. Because we are the body of Christ, in Christ, and his Spirit
influences and sanctifies us, conforming us to his image, we are to be his
positive influence in the world through love, forgiveness, peace, and truth, in
engaging the Powers by Kingdom methods. Our behavior influences those around
us, both positively and negatively. When we behave in a Christlike manner - his
Spirit working in us and through us - we become headship sources of sanctifying
influence in this world, extending beyond our personalities, into our families,
businesses, churches, governments, and cultures. In this way, we are the
Spirit-directed tools of Christ, sanctifying the world into obedient corporate
solidarity with the King of Kings, so that God will be all in all (1 Cor 15:28;
Rom 8; Hab 2:14; Num 14:20-21).
[1]
There is difficulty in identifying what the spirit or the spiritual is. The
Biblical imagery is that of breath or wind, but it seems to be the connection
between the biological/physical (Gen 2:7; 7:22; 1 Sam 30:12; Job 12:10; Psa
104:29; Mark 9:17-25; Luke 8:55; 23:46; John 6:63; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor 14:14;
15:45; Jas 2:26; Rev 11:11), the psychological/mental (Num 5:14, 30; Deut 2:30;
1 Sam 16:23; 18:10; 19:9; Job 7:11; Psa 77:6; Mark 9:17-25; John 11:33; Acts
17:16; 2 Cor 7:13), the social (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39; Rom
8:16; 1 Cor 2:12; 5:3; 6:17; 2 Cor 4:13; 12:18; Col 2:5), and undefinable or
ineffable. While the subject is beyond the scope of this book, this connection
would explain the reach and nature of its influence.
[2]
See the Proverbs, particularly 22:6.
[3]
Note: This is not earning salvation through a Pelagian-based merit system but
seeking it through a patient, Spirit-enabled living, freeing us to do the good
works for which we were created (Rom 2:6-7, 10).
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