Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, Jan. 1, 2025 By AimanAbir18plus – Own work, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia
In Chapter 1: Find a Leader, the author presents a view on leadership that relies heavily on divine appointment, succession lines, and the necessity of following a leader appointed by God through specific traditions and practices. However, this teaching is not consistent with Christian doctrine and misinterprets both Scripture and the role of leadership in the Church. Below is a Christian response, highlighting the biblical stance on leadership and exposing the flaws in the arguments presented.
1. The Role of Leadership in Scripture
The text asserts that leadership is vital for any movement or society and that without a divinely appointed leader, any revolution or people’s cause is destined to fail. This may seem compelling at first glance, but it overlooks the broader biblical understanding of leadership.
- Leadership in the New Testament: The New Testament does indeed teach the importance of godly leadership, but it emphasizes servant leadership over authoritarian rule. In Mark 10:42–45, Jesus rebukes the disciples for desiring power, saying, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” This teaching counters the concept of a single authoritarian ruler and calls for leadership that is humble, servant-hearted, and grounded in Christ’s example.
- Jesus as the Ultimate Leader: Jesus Christ is the supreme leader in the Christian faith, and His leadership is marked by humility, self-sacrifice, and servanthood (Philippians 2:5-8). Christians are called to follow Christ and His example, not a single human figurehead who claims divine appointment. The idea that a “leader” must be appointed through a succession line contradicts the New Testament teaching that all believers are equal before God (Galatians 3:28).
2. Misapplication of Old Testament Examples
The author uses Old Testament examples, such as the Israelites’ demand for a king in 1 Samuel 8, to argue that the people’s choice of leaders is inherently flawed and that they are better off following leaders divinely appointed by God. However, the author misrepresents this passage.
- 1 Samuel 8 and the Request for a King: In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites request a king to rule over them, “like all the other nations.” God, in His sovereignty, allows the people to choose a king, but He warns them of the consequences of rejecting His rule. The key issue in this passage is not that human leaders are inherently flawed, but that the people were rejecting God’s direct rule over them in favor of a human monarch. God did not prohibit human leadership; He showed that a monarchy could be a legitimate form of government if it operated under God’s authority. The problem was the desire for a king like the nations, not the concept of leadership itself.
- The King as God’s Appointed Leader: God does appoint kings in the Old Testament, but this is not a blanket argument for the hereditary succession of leaders. Even in the case of King David, God selected him based on his heart, not merely his lineage (1 Samuel 16:7). This undermines the idea of a rigid, predetermined line of succession and points to God’s freedom in choosing leaders based on godliness and character, not just family ties.
3. The New Testament’s Focus on the Church’s Leadership Structure
The author attempts to connect divine appointment with a succession of leaders, using the example of the Prophet Muhammad’s claim of a succession line through the Imams. However, this argument disregards the New Testament’s teachings on church leadership.
- The Church’s Leadership is Not Based on Succession Lines: The New Testament describes the leadership of the Church as being based on spiritual gifts, qualifications, and calling. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9, the qualifications for church leaders (elders and deacons) are outlined, focusing on character, integrity, and faithfulness rather than hereditary succession. Church leaders are not appointed based on a family line but on their faithfulness to God’s word and their ability to serve His people.
- Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church: The New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ, not any human leader, is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). This central truth eliminates the need for a divinely appointed human successor or a rigid leadership line. The Church’s leadership is designed to reflect Christ’s servant leadership and is not a power structure resembling earthly kingdoms (Matthew 20:25-28).
4. The Error of Excessive Focus on Human Authority
The emphasis on human leaders who claim divine appointment through succession lines risks replacing the central role of Christ in the Church and promoting authoritarianism. The Bible does not teach that Christians must follow an individual who claims divine succession; rather, it teaches that the Church is to follow Christ, who works through godly leaders who serve His people.
- The Danger of Idolatry of Human Leaders: In the New Testament, Paul warns against elevating human leaders above their proper role in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:4-9). To view any human leader as the key to salvation or truth, especially in a succession line, risks idolatry, where trust is placed in man rather than in Christ alone.
- Divine Appointment and Human Responsibility: While God appoints leaders (Romans 13:1-7), these leaders are still held accountable to God and the people they lead. No leader is exempt from scrutiny or accountability, and no leader is above Christ’s authority. This contrasts with the teaching in Chapter 1, which implies a dangerous absolutism in following a leader based on divine succession, irrespective of their actions or doctrine.
5. Conclusion: Christ as the True Leader
The biblical model for leadership is radically different from the idea presented in Chapter 1: Find a Leader. While leadership is important in any society, Christian leadership is fundamentally servant leadership, grounded in the example of Christ. The New Testament does not support the idea of human leaders who must be followed based on divine appointment or succession lines but emphasizes that Christ alone is the true leader of His people.
In refuting this false teaching, we affirm that Christians are called to follow Christ first and foremost. Church leadership should be based on spiritual qualifications and godliness, not on a predetermined line of succession. The Bible teaches that all believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church, and that leadership in the Church must reflect His character of humility, love, and service.