There is an author who has been getting a lot of attention lately in light of some of the political and social events in the world. Timothy Snyder is a History Professor at Yale University. In 2017 a book/pamphlet (it’s 100 pages and quick to read) that he wrote was published. It is called, “On Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the 20th Century”. I recommend reading it or listening to it in audio format.
I’ll likely refer to it in future editions of “Evangelically Departed”.
Snyder’s 20 lessons are a warning against falling into tyranny in general and fascism in particular. He outlines each lesson and gives some historical examples. One of the things that is fascinating to me about the work is that it was released in 2017, but is just now getting a great deal of attention. Many people who are talking about it are doing so in the context of American politics, conveying the sense that they feel they dodged a bullet with the failed insurrection of January 6, and the failed re-election campaign of Donald Trump. A lot is being written about that, but my interest for today’s newsletter is to consider Snyder’s first lesson and how it may relate to much of what has happened in religious communities in general and evangelical religious communities in particular.
Lesson #1 is this:
”Do not obey in advance.”
Snyder calls this “anticipatory obedience” and mentions that virtually every totalitarian dictator requires some form of this. He is speaking politically, but it led me to consider what “obedience” has meant within religious systems that I have known from the inside and from observation.
Those of us who are familiar with Christian Scripture and its interpretation know that obedience is a term that comes up repeatedly. It shows up in the text itself and then it often shows up in religious hierarchies. The hierarchy could be a church, a family, an organization or, at its most basic, the relationship between God and humanity. In each case obedience is often mentioned as part of the relationship. At its best obedience is spoken about in the context of a loving, nurturing relationship. At its worst obedience is spoken of in the harsh “Because I said so!” kind of way that I think betrays the weakness of the one who was demanding obedience.
Unhealthy concepts of obedience are consistently used within harmful, abusive communities and relationships. Among the worst of these distortions is anticipatory obedience.
I have seen, in evangelicalism, a lazy approach to Biblical interpretation that has turned anticipatory obedience into a virtue rather than a problem. This has set up weak leaders who lead with the “because I say so” or “the Bible says” as key weapons. As a Pastor, virtually every time I heard someone say, “because the Bible says so” as a means to attempt to win an argument, it demonstrated some kind of lack of understanding or interest. I suspect that it may have even demonstrated a lack of faith. These weapons are used to dominate other people and to cover over weakness, insecurity, fear and sometimes hate on the part of leaders who depend on them. I see nothing at all that is Christ-like in this manner of leadership or interpretation.
Sometimes people in a church can say that they are to be obeyed simply owing to their place in the hierarchy. They may even maintain that this obedience should be anticipatory. This would mean that obedience is the assumed proper outcome before the issue is considered or the direction given.
Don’t obey in such a manner.
Jesus did not lead like this. Jesus did not love like this. Jesus did not demand obedience in this way.
For Snyder, the amazing thing seems to be that so many people are willing to obey in advance. He mentions that dictators in history are repeatedly surprised at how easy it is to get people to sign up for such things.
In religious communities a pastor or leader who depends on fealty and this kind of obedience is a fraud. They are not to be trusted.
When I was a minister I found myself actually pushing against people’s willingness to simply obey. I would say things like, “Don’t do this just because I think you should”, or “I think this way about this issue, but you don’t have to, and there are other opinions.” This might well be characterized as weak leadership, but it was my hope that at its best it came from a trust in God. I did not need to take the reins from God on any project or over any life. Also, if I had a faith that was real enough, if I actually believed in God’s presence and love, then I did not need to dominate anyone in order to feed my own ego. There are very many weaknesses and mistakes present in my life (don’t ask me, ask those who know me) and character, but I think that I did tend to push against anticipatory obedience.
Wrong views of obedience are, like so many other problems in evangelicalism rooted in distorted, selfish interpretations of the Bible. I think that some of this is deliberate.
Jesus did speak about obedience, but here is how:
He said, speaking to his followers, “If you love me, you will do what I command.” This sounds a lot like, “If you love me, you will obey me.” In fact, it is pretty much that. However, there are a couple of things to note here. Firstly, Jesus directly says what his command is. It is not a list of a thousand things, it is one thing - “love one another”. The one thing sums up everything else. This command is dynamic and open and always asks more of us in how we relate to other people. It cannot be superseded with arbitrary do’s and don’ts. Secondly, notice that Jesus first says, “If you love me”. There is a sense here that the kind of obedience Jesus speaks about comes from love and that if love is there, the obedience will follow. It is never forced. Jesus is not an insecure pastor, but a lot of weak, insecure pastors have co-opted His name and distorted His message to assuage their own weakness, fear and guilt and disdain for other people. Thomas Merton spoke about such people when he said that some people feel that they are not appreciated enough and their attempt to condemn others is their way of getting even.
Departing from the excesses of evangelicalism includes departing from the idea that such leaders are to be admired, emulated or obeyed.
From Timothy Snyder:
Lesson #1 - Do not obey in advance.
AMEN!
Such a great read.
Love this topic.
Obedience.
Sadly, the evangelical church has made anticipatory obedience a virtue. In my opinion giving up one’s free will in order to be compliant is dangerous.
Silent submission is crippling. Frightening.
The topic of obedience led me right to our current situation. Right at the beginning of this pandemic I began to feel uneasy as authoritarian voices began to steal their way into our democratic way of life. As fear began to creep into our society, alarm bells started to ring for me.
My quiet voice spoke...Do not obey in advance.
In what circumstance do we submit to authority....what does it mean “for the good of humanity”?
Daily we were told in a subtle way...the freedoms you have taken for granted may be in jeopardy.
I was alarmed to watch how quickly our democracy that we so highly valued could be fractured.
Obedience took on power as our population became compliant.
I did not obey in advance. I still hang on to my free will while all around me I see a whole population bowing to authority. How easy it is to sign up.
I struggle with obedience.