Crkva i Biblija u kontekstu korelativnih odnosa vlasti i autoriteta
The church and the Bible in the context of the corelative relations of government and authority

Summary/Abstract: Often we use the words “authority” and “power” (or “government”) synonymously or interchangably. Working on the presupposition that the two are distinct, the author shows that “authority” and “power” are not fully synonymous. On the contrary, they sometimes oppose each other. He investigates correlations between the Church and the Bible, in the areas of Church history and the theology of authority of the Scriptures. It has been shown more than once in history that the Church”s authority in spiritual realm has often been accompanied by the temptation to assume power over subjects in temporal matters, often with a serious lack of genuine authority. In the second part the author examines the traditional, monarchical model of Church government as an explanation for the tendency to bear two swords of power (temporal and spiritual). Through many epochs of history there has been a continuous struggle for and with these swords, from a well-meaning historical attempt by Pope Gelasius in the 5th century, to divorce the temporal and spiritual, dividing it into auctoritas sacrata pontificum and regalis potestas; through stormy centuries of the Concilliar and Gallican movements, to the not so distant Josephinism. There has always been a great temptation for the Church to hold both swords. But struggles have not only been between the Church and State. Many turmoils have actually been within the Church itself. As opposed to exercising power and government “over” subjects; the Bible represents a genuine authority, not over its subjects. This authority stems from the ultimate author of the Scripture and should serve as a compass to the Church to accomplish its prophetic task and calling by being salt and light to the world.

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