"Your authority is not your own. It is on loan from God."

If you’ve been given authority—at home, at work, or in the church—how are you supposed to use it?

In this episode of Word and Flesh, we move from talking about authority to actually using it. What does it look like to lead well without becoming controlling, harsh, or passive?

We cover a practical, biblical framework for using authority rightly:

• Authority is received—not self-created
• Authority exists to serve, not dominate
• Why your personal walk with God matters more than your position
• The difference between transformation and mere compliance
• How to correct with patience and shepherd people well
• Why Scripture—not preference—must set your boundaries
• What it looks like to repent when you misuse authority
• Why the Gospel—not your authority—is the center

Whether you’re a parent, a pastor, a business owner, or just someone trying to lead faithfully in your sphere, this episode will help you think clearly about how to use authority in a way that actually leads to flourishing.

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Episode art:

Christ Washing the Feet of the Disciples -- by Jacopo Tintoretto, Public Domain

• (00:00:17) - Wonders and Flesh
• (00:00:57) - Understanding the Root of the Word Authority
• (00:05:24) - How to Use Authority
• (00:09:13) - 7 Rules for Living With Your Wife
• (00:14:16) - Philippians 2: A Matter of Authority
• (00:15:32) - How Do I Use My Authority?
• (00:20:24) - Leading With Authority
• (00:25:18) - All authority in the church
• (00:27:52) - 7 Rules for Using Your Authority
• (00:32:27) - One More Word on Authority

What should Christians think about politics—and how involved should they be?

In this episode of Word and Flesh, we wrap up our discussion on authority by turning to one of the most debated topics today: government and political engagement.

We explore:

• What the Bible says about government (Romans 13, Jeremiah 29)
• The difference between the “City of God” and the “City of Man”
• Whether Christians should seek political power
• The danger of placing hope in government
• How Christians should respond to leaders they disagree with
• Common mistakes Christians make in political engagement

We also wrestle with a key question:
Can politics actually bring about the kind of change Christians hope for?

Ultimately, this conversation points us back to where real transformation happens—not in national elections, but in faithful obedience, gospel proclamation, and everyday discipleship.

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Episode Art: Paradise from De Civitate Dei (City of God) 15th Century

• (00:00:17) - St. Augustine: The City of God and Its Government
• (00:01:15) - WORD AND FILLED
• (00:01:48) - Conclusion on Government Authority
• (00:02:33) - Government and St. Augustine
• (00:09:39) - Government and the Christian faith
• (00:12:38) - Government in the Kingdom
• (00:17:48) - Ryan on Politics and the Auginian View
• (00:23:54) - Ryan on How We Should Respond to Government
• (00:28:58) - Paul on the Issues of Election
• (00:32:29) - Common Mistakes Christians Make When Relating to the Government
• (00:37:35) - Prayer for Christians:
• (00:40:12) - How do we make America a Christian nation?
• (00:44:23) - Press in for the kingdom

What role should the church actually play in your life?

In this episode of Word and Flesh, we continue our conversation on authority by focusing on the local church—its role, its authority, and why it matters more than most people think.

In a culture where church is often treated as optional, personal, or even unnecessary, we ask:

• Where does pastoral authority come from?
• Why does the Bible call believers to obey their leaders?
• Why is local church commitment essential—not optional?
• What’s the danger of outsourcing spiritual authority to online voices?
• What does real church involvement actually look like?

We also talk about the difference between attending church and actually being part of it—living in meaningful relationships, submitting to biblical teaching, and growing together as the body of Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Do I really need the church?”
• “Can I just follow Jesus on my own?”
• “Why does church commitment matter so much?”

This episode will challenge and clarify how you think about the church. Also we use the word "ticklish" a lot.

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Episode Art: "Supper at Emmaus", by Caravaggio, Oil on Canvas, 1601

• (00:00:00) - WORD AND FLEE: Authority
• (00:00:58) - The Role and Authority of the Church in a Christian's Life
• (00:02:52) - Perpetual Authority
• (00:04:02) - Obedoing Your Leaders
• (00:06:33) - Submit to Your Leaders
• (00:11:43) - I want to make another comment on the Hebrews 13 passage
• (00:13:33) - Where Does Authority Come From in the Church?
• (00:14:38) - Elder-Led Congregationalism
• (00:16:39) - What Does it Look Like to Be Committed to the Local Church
• (00:21:42) - The Real Value of the Church
• (00:24:23) - A Common Prayer for Sunday
• (00:25:29) - WORD AND FLEE

What is authority—and who actually has it in your life?

In this episode of Word and Flesh, we tackle one of the most foundational (and controversial) issues in the Christian life: authority. We all live under authority—but not everyone thinks carefully about where that authority comes from or how it shapes their life.

We explore:

• Why authority is unavoidable
• The difference between healthy and abusive authority
• How authority flows from God into the home, church, and government
• The danger of unknowingly giving authority to voices that don’t shepherd your soul
• What it looks like to exercise authority rightly in everyday life

From parenting and discipline to cultural confusion and personal autonomy, this conversation gets practical quickly.

If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like:

• “Why should I listen to anyone?”
• “When is authority good—and when is it harmful?”
• “Who should actually speak into my life?”

This episode will help you think more clearly—and live more faithfully.

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Episode Art:

Christ in front of Pilate, Mihály Munkácsy, oil on canvas, 1881

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Signoff:

"Further up, and further in." -- Aslan the Lion, The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis

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Music Credits:

Hallelujah chorus - Messiah
Performed by: Oratorio Chorus
Composed by: G.F. Handel
Record format: Edison Diamond Disc
Matrix number: 4433-A-1-1 (6-1)
Recording date: 1916

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Word & Flesh Theme - "Dominus me regit"
Created with Suno

Lyrics (in Latin):
Dominus me regit,
nihil deerit mihi;
in pascuis virentibus me ponit.
Super aquas quietis ducit me,
animam meam reficit;
in viis iustitiae me ducit.

Translation:
The Lord guides me;
I will lack nothing.
In green pastures He places me.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness.
*based on Ps. 23*

• (00:00:15) - Wonders of Authority
• (00:01:20) - The Problem of Authority
• (00:02:40) - The Problem of Authority
• (00:05:51) - Where Does Authority Come From?
• (00:10:26) - Why Did God Create Authority
• (00:15:24) - Matthew 28:18: All Authority, On Loan to Jesus
• (00:17:16) - What is God's Authority?
• (00:18:32) - What Does Good Authority Look Like in the Home?
• (00:21:45) - Proverbs 23:13
• (00:27:38) - Good Parenting: Authority in the Family
• (00:29:31) - Submit to God

Welcome to the very first episode of Word and Flesh, a podcast from the elders of Riverview Baptist Church.

Why another Christian podcast?

In this episode, the elders of Riverview explain the heart behind this new venture: helping our people think biblically about all of life—not just Sunday mornings. From the limits of the pulpit to the dangers of outsourcing wisdom to social media, we explore why embodied, local, pastoral guidance matters more than ever.

We also introduce the vision of “thick culture,” the meaning behind the name Word and Flesh, and why Christians are called to live rooted, thoughtful, and God-glorifying lives in every area.

This podcast exists to help you think well, live faithfully, and apply God’s Word to real life.

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Episode Art:

Word & Flesh logo, by Rebekah Wright

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Signoff:

"Further up, and further in." -- Aslan the Lion, The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis

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Music Credits:

Hallelujah chorus - Messiah
Performed by: Oratorio Chorus
Composed by: G.F. Handel
Record format: Edison Diamond Disc
Matrix number: 4433-A-1-1 (6-1)
Recording date: 1916

~

Word & Flesh Theme - "Dominus me regit"
Created with Suno

Lyrics (in Latin):
Dominus me regit,
nihil deerit mihi;
in pascuis virentibus me ponit.
Super aquas quietis ducit me,
animam meam reficit;
in viis iustitiae me ducit.

Translation:
The Lord guides me;
I will lack nothing.
In green pastures He places me.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness.
*based on Ps. 23*

• (00:00:15) - WORD AND FLESH
• (00:04:15) - Facebook and the Way of the Church
• (00:06:55) - The Thick Culture of Word & Flesh
• (00:11:27) - Wonders of the World: A Time to Think
• (00:14:11) - A Special Thank You To Ethan Demarce