GOD AND THE LEADERS'POWER IN AFRICA

 Does all authority come from God? What are we to understand by this? Some leaders often rely on this part of the text Rom 13:1- 7:"For all authority comes from God" to affirm that it is God who granted them with power and people have to owe them blind obedience. What does it really mean? Can we say for real that the Word of God praises political or religious power without any other form of trial? By saying that "there is authority only by God and those that exist are established by him" (Rom 13:1), does the apostle defend the idea that all powers come from God? Does he call Christians to obey any authority? Does Jesus see things as Paul says? What was his attitude towards the civil and religious authorities of his time? These questions lead me to three axes: First, it is essential to see the historical context in which the Apostle Paul wrote this text. Second, what authority Paul wants to speak about it. Third, the Bible teaches us that all authority comes from God. So, do all even the most despotic authorities come from God?

This study helps us to understand why most of African political and religious leaders maintain a stronghold on power and long-serving leadership across the continent.  It  seems also important to examine the perception of leadership by the masses. In Africa, if we think that the politician is the only one obsessed with power, it is a mistake. The religious leader is no less. The accession to the leadership of a Christian community is a daily obsession of some pastors. The thirst for power does not only concern pastors; the laity are not left out.  Having a position in the hierarchy of the Church or a theological institution is not only social mobility, but also an ascent to glory and honor. 

Finally, ecclesial weight cannot be established according to the depth of faith or spiritual maturity, but rather according to the title one bears. 

But, Paul's verse to the Romans is a real explosive. "All power comes from God" must be understood: "No power is based on itself". Where political power is in the illusion of a self-foundation, sacralizes itself and finally comes to idolize itself, the Christian opposes an "absolute transcendence": God. All power rests on an authority that transcends, precedes and founds it. Without this (divine) authority, (political or religious) power is nothing.

Prof. Jimi ZACKA