Theology
A Theology of Authority Rethinking Leadership in the Church Christa L. McKirland
Is authority reserved for those with a specific calling to leadership? Who holds power in the church? Does authority have limits? Are teaching and preaching the most important practices of authority? Our understanding—and misunderstanding—of authority has significant implications for our individual and corporate flourish - ing. In A Theology of Authority , Christa McKirland challenges our assumptions about authority, power, and leadership. With a focus on low-church traditions, she examines authority through the lens of analytic philosophy and biblical theology to offer a theological definition of authority. She also tackles questions related to divine and human authority, Scripture, and practices typically related to ordination: preaching, teaching, serving communion, baptizing, church discipline, and vision casting. A Theology of Authority expands our understanding of authority, recognizing the Spirit’s enablement of each member to fulfil their calling to spiritual maturity. Readers will gain a deeper understand- ing of the nuances of authority and power and how we relate to one another as siblings in Christ. “Contemporary Christianity needs serious theological reflection on the very notion of authority, and this is exactly what McKirland offers in A Theology of Authority . The virtues of good theological inquiry are all over this book: It is winsome, wise, gentle, and char - itable while also straightforward, unflinching, and bold. A wonder - ful combination of biblical, analytic, and practical theology, it will be a blessing both to those who celebrate it and to those who are challenged by it.” —Thomas H. McCall, Asbury Theological Seminary “Are church leaders supposed to exercise authority? Yes and no. Pairing methodological clarity with practical implications, McKir - land disentangles various types of authority to discern how, when, and by whom the exercise of authority is legitimate according to the Scriptures. This book is a gift to the church today.” —Carmen Joy Imes, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University “An inspiring treatise that helps put the insights of analytic theology to work in constructing a theological account of author - ity. McKirland’s characteristically brilliant work challenges us to position the community of faith around Christ’s authority, wherein every member ought to strive to become authoritative witnesses to the gospel through the power of the Spirit.” —Daniel Lee Hill, Baylor University
NOVEMBER 2025 • 288 pages • $32.99 • paper • 9781540968166
Christa L. McKirland (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is dean of faculty and lecturer in systematic theology at Carey Baptist College in Aotearoa New Zealand. She focuses especially on theological anthropology and is the author of God’s Provision, Humanity’s Need: The Gift of Our Dependence . She is also the executive director of Logia International, an organization that seeks to encourage women to pursue postgraduate theological study for the sake of the academy and church.
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR GOD’S PROVISION, HUMANITY’S NEED $38.00p • 9781540962799
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