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Up with Authority: Why We Need Authority to Flourish as Human Beings
Authority is something we experience every day, but is it necessary? Many think that it is not, and that it exists only as a remedy for some defect in us. Victor Lee Austin sets about exploring the higher and nobler functions of authority, and in doing so reveals its human importance as more than simply a provision for human inadequacies.
A significant contribution to Christian anthropology, the book illuminates an indispensable feature of human sociality: the need for, and the good provided by, authority. In enabling us to do more complex activities, to gain and communicate understanding of the world around us and to flourish in political communities, authority ultimately leads us to enjoy God.
Victor Lee Austin makes a unique contribution to political theology by deliberating the ways that authority functions both socially and epistemologically. The field of ecclesiology is also enriched by the book's discussion of authority as at once necessary and fallible. Those interested in the work of Michael Polanyi, Yves Simon, or Oliver O'Donovan will find these authors brought into the broader conversation about authority in an engaging way.
A significant contribution to Christian anthropology, the book illuminates an indispensable feature of human sociality: the need for, and the good provided by, authority. In enabling us to do more complex activities, to gain and communicate understanding of the world around us and to flourish in political communities, authority ultimately leads us to enjoy God.
Victor Lee Austin makes a unique contribution to political theology by deliberating the ways that authority functions both socially and epistemologically. The field of ecclesiology is also enriched by the book's discussion of authority as at once necessary and fallible. Those interested in the work of Michael Polanyi, Yves Simon, or Oliver O'Donovan will find these authors brought into the broader conversation about authority in an engaging way.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 18, 2019
This is one of those books that vividly portrays what is obvious about life in community. For those who cry, “down with the patriarchy” or something along those lines, this book beautifully sings “up with authority” in all eight tones. I would give this book five stars all day long, every day, 365 days a year, if I could. This might be one of the best common sense books I have ever read. I devoured it. I will likely devour it again every few years just to be get my bearings realigned again. But a copy. Read it. Gift it to someone. Repeat.
August 1, 2011
I won't say a lot about this here, other than that I enjoyed the read. I'll be submitting a review of this book to Books & Culture shortly.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews