Weber And Weber And Religious Religious AuthorityAuthority

• TRADITIONALTRADITIONAL Authority AuthorityYour authority is transmitted from generation to Your authority is transmitted from generation to generation, by inheritance, or appointment by a generation, by inheritance, or appointment by a “higher power”“higher power”

• RATIONAL-LEGALRATIONAL-LEGAL Authority AuthorityYour authority is established via impersonal, rational Your authority is established via impersonal, rational rules that have been legally enacted . . often by some rules that have been legally enacted . . often by some kind of contractkind of contract

• CHARISMATICCHARISMATIC AuthorityAuthorityYour authority is based on your appeal to a set of Your authority is based on your appeal to a set of followers . . . “follow-ship” is critical to this kind of followers . . . “follow-ship” is critical to this kind of leadershipleadership

weber’s forms of authority.weber’s forms of authority.weber’s forms of authority.weber’s forms of authority.

““At the beginning of the 19th At the beginning of the 19th century, all intellectual callings century, all intellectual callings were becoming increasingly were becoming increasingly respectable and respectedrespectable and respected. . Only the clergy, medicine, and Only the clergy, medicine, and the law were, however, firmly the law were, however, firmly established as ‘learned’ established as ‘learned’ professions.” (Larson 1977:83)professions.” (Larson 1977:83)

““Professions are occupations Professions are occupations with special with special power and power and prestige prestige [resulting from] [resulting from] special competence in esoteric special competence in esoteric bodies of knowledge.” (Larson bodies of knowledge.” (Larson 1977:x)1977:x)

professional authority.professional authority.professional authority.professional authority.

A.A. A.A. Degrees Degrees Or Less?Or Less?

Where Does Their “Special Competence In Esoteric Bodies Of Knowledge” Come From?

Paula White

Joel Osteen

T. D. Jakes Bob Coy

Benny Hinn

religious professionals.religious professionals.religious professionals.religious professionals.

““A distinguishing quality of A distinguishing quality of the priest the priest . . is his professional . . is his professional equipment of special knowledge, fixed doctrine, and equipment of special knowledge, fixed doctrine, and vocational qualifications, which brings him into contrast vocational qualifications, which brings him into contrast with with sorcerers, prophets, and other types of religious sorcerers, prophets, and other types of religious functionaries functionaries who exert their influence by virtue of who exert their influence by virtue of personal gifts (charisma) made manifest in miracle and personal gifts (charisma) made manifest in miracle and revelation.” (Weber 1963:29)revelation.” (Weber 1963:29)

priests and prophets.priests and prophets.priests and prophets.priests and prophets.

ProphetProclaims gods’ messagesRegular interaction with followersWorks by himself but may have “staff”Claim to fame: Charisma!An organization builds around him/her“Supernatural” abilitiesEvidence of super powers: Critical

priests and prophets.priests and prophets.priests and prophets.priests and prophets.

PriestInfluences gods by worship

Regular interaction with believersOften has “staff”

Claim to fame: Keeping the role’s rules Associated with social organization

“Professional” abilitiesEvidence of super powers: Not Necessary

SorcererCoerces gods with magicOccasional interaction with clientsWorks by himselfClaim to fame: EffectivenessSelf-employed“Supernatural” abilitiesEvidence of super powers: Critical

“ . . . a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which one is ‘set apart’ from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.” (Weber 1947:358)

CHARISMA is . . . .

priests and prophets.priests and prophets.priests and prophets.priests and prophets.

MEN MEN Avg AgeAvg Age Yrs EdYrs Ed

Aspiring MinisterAspiring Minister 4646 1313

MinisterMinister 4141 1515

ElderElder 4747 1515

PastorPastor 6060 1616

WOMENWOMEN Avg AgeAvg Age Yrs Ed Yrs Ed

Aspiring MissionaryAspiring Missionary 4343 1515

Deaconess MissionaryDeaconess Missionary 4545 1515

Evangelist Missionary Evangelist Missionary 5858 1414

ChaplainChaplain 4848 1616Education background summary: 5Education background summary: 5 thth grade to M.D., with mean of 15 years grade to M.D., with mean of 15 years

29% 1229% 12thth grade or less grade or less43% BA or higher43% BA or higher

18% Seminary or bible college “trained” (only 7% completed)18% Seminary or bible college “trained” (only 7% completed)

credentials in the sample.credentials in the sample.credentials in the sample.credentials in the sample.

what the anointing is.what the anointing is.what the anointing is.what the anointing is.

““The anointing is a special impartation through the Holy Spirit to The anointing is a special impartation through the Holy Spirit to give you the give you the wisdomwisdom, the , the know-howknow-how, the , the revelationrevelation to do what it to do what it is you need to do from a spiritual perspective. The things that I is you need to do from a spiritual perspective. The things that I go forth to do, I know that me and my own ability wouldn’t come go forth to do, I know that me and my own ability wouldn’t come up with the ideas, the creativity, the understanding that I have. up with the ideas, the creativity, the understanding that I have. That doesn’t come from a natural ability.” (Darlene)That doesn’t come from a natural ability.” (Darlene)

““The anointing of God is when the Holy Ghost comes in and The anointing of God is when the Holy Ghost comes in and empowersempowers you to do certain aspects that He has called you to you to do certain aspects that He has called you to do. I couldn’t lay hands on the sick and they recover if I didn’t do. I couldn’t lay hands on the sick and they recover if I didn’t have the anointing of God.” (Art)have the anointing of God.” (Art)

Charisma: “ . . . a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which one is ‘set apart’ from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.” (Weber 1947:358)

““When the anointing hits, the understanding that I get are not When the anointing hits, the understanding that I get are not things that I can understand on my own. I’m hyperaware of my things that I can understand on my own. I’m hyperaware of my surroundings. I can hear things I couldn’t normally hear. I can see surroundings. I can hear things I couldn’t normally hear. I can see things that I couldn’t normally see. So that’s not me. I know that’s things that I couldn’t normally see. So that’s not me. I know that’s not me.” (Terri)not me.” (Terri)

““We have a model that you need to be ready when called. One time We have a model that you need to be ready when called. One time . . . I got up there and didn‘t have any idea what I was going to say. . . . I got up there and didn‘t have any idea what I was going to say. Even now I can’t tell you what I said. After-wards, I had to ask my Even now I can’t tell you what I said. After-wards, I had to ask my wife what I said because I was gone. I remember standing up wife what I said because I was gone. I remember standing up behind the podium and leaving the podium, but all that in behind the podium and leaving the podium, but all that in between? No clue, Doc.” (Walter)between? No clue, Doc.” (Walter)Charisma: “ . . . a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which one is ‘set apart’ from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.” (Weber 1947:358)

how the anointing how the anointing operates.operates.how the anointing how the anointing operates.operates.

PERSONAL HINDRANCESPERSONAL HINDRANCES““I had this experience recently where I could’ve did wrong, but there’s something in me that says I don’t want to lose my anointing. I don’t want to jeopardize that by doing something that I shouldn’t be doing.” (Doris)” (Doris)

““I think the anointing is something you can lose by sin in your life. I’ve heard I think the anointing is something you can lose by sin in your life. I’ve heard speakers who I know were anointed. And then you’ll hear them later or whatever, speakers who I know were anointed. And then you’ll hear them later or whatever, and you’ll think ‘that was nice’ but it doesn’t hit you anywhere. I say they’ve lost and you’ll think ‘that was nice’ but it doesn’t hit you anywhere. I say they’ve lost their anointing. “ (Carla)their anointing. “ (Carla)

““AUDIENCE” HINDRANCESAUDIENCE” HINDRANCES““God anoints the Word, but that Word has to land on good ground. People have to God anoints the Word, but that Word has to land on good ground. People have to be receptive to it and you can’t do something if they’re not. If they’re not open to be receptive to it and you can’t do something if they’re not. If they’re not open to the Word of God, you can have all the anointing in the world. It’s not going to the Word of God, you can have all the anointing in the world. It’s not going to change their situation.” (Anisha)change their situation.” (Anisha)

““We have all these ‘anointed people’ in this church and we laying on hands but We have all these ‘anointed people’ in this church and we laying on hands but nobody’s recovering from sickness. Something’s definitely wrong. I don’t think its nobody’s recovering from sickness. Something’s definitely wrong. I don’t think its necessarily that they’re not anointed as much as I think there’s some stuff that necessarily that they’re not anointed as much as I think there’s some stuff that hinders the anointing in this church.” (Andrea)hinders the anointing in this church.” (Andrea)

when the anointing fails.when the anointing fails.when the anointing fails.when the anointing fails.

““The anointing you received from Him remains in you, The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. His and you do not need anyone to teach you. His

anointing teaches you about all things.” (I John 2:27)anointing teaches you about all things.” (I John 2:27)

““Don’t go to school, don’t go to college, go to Jesus”Don’t go to school, don’t go to college, go to Jesus”

““Jesus chose common men, everyday men, men used to the Jesus chose common men, everyday men, men used to the sunshine, men used to the rain, not seminary men or college men.”sunshine, men used to the rain, not seminary men or college men.”

From Williams’ (1974) From Williams’ (1974) Community in a Black Pentecostal ChurchCommunity in a Black Pentecostal Church

““Ninety percent of African-American clergy persons are not Ninety percent of African-American clergy persons are not seminary trained. I cannot be a lawyer if I don’t go to law school. I seminary trained. I cannot be a lawyer if I don’t go to law school. I cannot be a doctor if I don’t go to med school. But all I got to do is cannot be a doctor if I don’t go to med school. But all I got to do is

turn around my collar and say ‘hallelujah, I got the anointing’ and I turn around my collar and say ‘hallelujah, I got the anointing’ and I got fifty thousand Negroes following me.”got fifty thousand Negroes following me.”

Pastor Jeremiah Wright (2003) at Pastor Jeremiah Wright (2003) at State Of The Black ChurchState Of The Black Church

AProphet Attitude

APriestly Attitude

the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.

““I think there’s a danger in seminary; in how they teach you to I think there’s a danger in seminary; in how they teach you to think. The Bible says, ‘Lean not on your own understanding,’ and think. The Bible says, ‘Lean not on your own understanding,’ and I think seminary can really, I don’t know, can really take you I think seminary can really, I don’t know, can really take you away from that” (Darlene)away from that” (Darlene)

““I never prepare a whole lot because I’ve learned the hard way I never prepare a whole lot because I’ve learned the hard way that you’re never going to use that. That is one of the things you that you’re never going to use that. That is one of the things you see a lot with people who have been ‘trained.’ They try to plan out see a lot with people who have been ‘trained.’ They try to plan out their whole message. I think a lot of people who have been their whole message. I think a lot of people who have been taught in seminary are being taught how to do that and not taught in seminary are being taught how to do that and not relying on God to do it. The anointing’s coming if you are relying relying on God to do it. The anointing’s coming if you are relying on God to do it.” (Mike)on God to do it.” (Mike)

““PRIESTLY” TRAINING AS A HANDICAPPRIESTLY” TRAINING AS A HANDICAP

““Ministry can’t be like a vocation where you go to school and learn it like Ministry can’t be like a vocation where you go to school and learn it like a trade, like some skills. I know what I have comes from God. I can’t help a trade, like some skills. I know what I have comes from God. I can’t help wondering when some Dr. Such-and-Such preaches, what book he got wondering when some Dr. Such-and-Such preaches, what book he got that message from.” (Audrey)that message from.” (Audrey)

You have children. Say your children came to Sunday School, which teacher would You have children. Say your children came to Sunday School, which teacher would you rather have in the class: one who was anointed to teach or one who was you rather have in the class: one who was anointed to teach or one who was

anointed to teach and had also been trained in seminary?anointed to teach and had also been trained in seminary?

““We can learn the mechanics of something and go through the motions of We can learn the mechanics of something and go through the motions of doing it . You see that with a lot of seminary-trained preachers. They doing it . You see that with a lot of seminary-trained preachers. They learned how to do the technical work of ministry, how to talk, how to learned how to do the technical work of ministry, how to talk, how to make sure you have three points, but they don’t really have any impact make sure you have three points, but they don’t really have any impact because they’re not anointed.” (Cliff)because they’re not anointed.” (Cliff)

““I would say the one who is just anointed. Personally, I think if you need I would say the one who is just anointed. Personally, I think if you need to go to school to learn how to do ministry, that’s a crutch. You can tell to go to school to learn how to do ministry, that’s a crutch. You can tell the difference between someone who was schooled by man and someone the difference between someone who was schooled by man and someone who was schooled by the Holy Ghost.” (Darlene)who was schooled by the Holy Ghost.” (Darlene)

““PRIESTS” AS LESS AUTHENTICPRIESTS” AS LESS AUTHENTICthe school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.

Ultimately, these ministers present some problems for Ultimately, these ministers present some problems for our understanding of religious authority and religious our understanding of religious authority and religious professionals:professionals:

A.A.While they can hold the office of priest, they find their legitimacy in their While they can hold the office of priest, they find their legitimacy in their “prophet-ness.” If congregants are anything like these ministers, it is this “prophet-ness.” If congregants are anything like these ministers, it is this anointing that is the key to their religious authority. Without it, all they have is anointing that is the key to their religious authority. Without it, all they have is the “hierarchical (priestly) office.”the “hierarchical (priestly) office.”

B.B.The anointing, like charisma, is dependent on the responses of “followers.” The anointing, like charisma, is dependent on the responses of “followers.” Unlike with charisma, the anointed leader still believes she is anointed even when Unlike with charisma, the anointed leader still believes she is anointed even when the followers don’t follow.the followers don’t follow.

C.C.Instead of increasing the status of Pentecostal ministers, religious educational Instead of increasing the status of Pentecostal ministers, religious educational credentials actually DECREASE their status in the minds of other Pentecostal credentials actually DECREASE their status in the minds of other Pentecostal ministers and, possibly, congregants.ministers and, possibly, congregants.

D.D.These folks aren’t religion starters or even church (!) starters. They operate These folks aren’t religion starters or even church (!) starters. They operate like priests (i.e., embedded in an organization that precedes them) but they claim like priests (i.e., embedded in an organization that precedes them) but they claim to bring supernatural powers and revelation. Are they really prophets?to bring supernatural powers and revelation. Are they really prophets?

what else we can find here.what else we can find here.what else we can find here.what else we can find here.