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Introduction
Theology proper allows the systematic scrutiny of God and His nature. In theology proper, scholars examine Gods existence, definition, and attributes, and works. Based on biblical teachings, scholars can comprehend the key features that make God what He is and relates them to day-to-day life. The following paper analyses the study of God from a leadership perspective. The paper considers Gods individual traits and what modern leaders can learn and implement in leadership roles by focusing on metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, purpose, the role of the leader, role of the follower, leadership methodology, and setting. Findings show that leaders can focus on and emulate the love of God, the trustworthiness of God, and the strength of God to infirm and form their leadership roles.
Biblical Metaphysics and the Strength of God
The relationship between religion and philosophy is multifaceted and seeks to ascertain reality, truth, and good. In metaphysics, philosophers are concerned with the study of existence and reality. The main metaphysical queries are related to the nature of reality, the reality of mans existence, the natural world, and the presence of the supernatural. For example, metaphysicians focus on identifying how man was created or came into being. Ideally, philosophy should explain how things exist, why they exist, and why they are complex.
In biblical terms, God is considered infinite and eternal. Philosophy acknowledges God as a dynamic being that causes things to happen and that created the world as it is. This assumption of God aligns with the pantheist notion that God is the universe, nature, and reality. From this definition, it can be deduced that God represents all that it, including the entire universe and reality as people view it. God encompasses all objects that exist, their relations, and the rules for interaction that they represent. Therefore, God is the most significant imaginable reality, which is the entire existence.
The metaphysical assumptions of God as infinite and eternal show the strength of God, which should guide all leaders. In the Bible, God states, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8 KJV). The scripture shows that God is both infinite and eternal, and this reality should be aware to the biblical leader. Leaders should know that God is all-powerful and that His strength and presence are never-ending. In this regard, the metaphysics of God should help form the leaders initial awareness of Gods infinite and eternal nature and inform them that God always has and will always solve earthly challenges.
Biblical Epistemology and the Strength of God
The second significant branch of philosophy is epistemology, which critically examines human knowledge. Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that looks at how people know that a thing is accurate or not. It is vital to add that epistemology emanates from the Greek terms episteme (scientific knowledge) and logia (ordered knowledge). Hence, the precise meaning of epistemology is the knowledge of knowing. For human beings, epistemology seeks to identify the methodology of making critical examination and the process of identifying whether said examination produces accurate knowledge. For instance, if humans, as created by God, were in charge of their own mental and rational processes, or if they birthed the will to examine the value of knowledge, then there would be no foundation to regulate the criteria. The presence of this oxymoron would eliminate the discussion altogether, causing endless dilemmas and leading to an absence of knowledge.
For biblical leaders, the challenge, therefore, is knowing what is true and what is false. This conundrum can be countered by identifying that God made man rational. An awareness of biblical epistemology requires an initial understanding of three key issues. First, God made man in His own image to possess accurate and actual knowledge. Second, that man reason from the deduction (and hence makes excellent and self-conscious decisions). Third, that man already knows about the nature and power of God. In alluding to God, the Bible states that For in him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28 KJV). Therefore, a Godly leader should know that truth is absolute. The absoluteness of Gods truth means that it is always valid, irrespective of constraints or context. For the Biblical leader, knowing implies being aware of what God is presently doing in their lives or in the lives of others. Knowing also means being aware of what God intends to do for all of His people. Therefore, biblical epistemology should form leaders anchored in absolute truth and make them aware that Gods strength makes Him all-powerful and all-knowing.
Axiology and the Trustworthiness of God
The third essential part of philosophy is axiology. Axiology examines mans ethics and aesthetics. Ethics represents the moral principles that guide people towards what is good for them and society. People often wonder what they should do during ethical dilemmas, implying several possibilities but only one correct choice. In biblical studies, Christian axiology focuses on Christian ethics, a moral protocol derived from sacred scripture and the experiences of Jesus Christ. Although there may be variances between different subsections of Christianity, such as Protestantism and Catholicism, some shared ethical and moral doctrines occur in the Bible. Ideally, Christian axiology covers the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and Jesus command that people love their neighbors.
Christian axiology proposes value in man and society. Genesis 1 shows that God created value, saw value, and loves value. For example, God created Adam and loved what He had done. The Creator also evaluated value by repeatedly seeing what He had done and taking joy in it, meaning that reality in itself is valuable. Similarly, Genesis 1 also shows that God created goodness, which entailed the absence of evil. When God created the earth and all that is in it, there were no sicknesses, death, or suffering, implying that all was well according to His will. Therefore, it can be deduced that evil, as people experience it today, was not Gods doing.
Godly leaders can learn from Christian axiology about Gods trustworthy nature. The Bible shows that good objects and states of affairs are good because God wishes them to be. Examples can include living things like humans or non-living things like sound health, happiness, marriage, joy, and peace. In this regard, it can be seen that what is good will always remain good, and what is wrong will always be wrong. What is good or bad does not depend on what human beings think about it. Only Gods opinion matters as it is written in the Bible. Because God is the definitive source of righteousness, and because his goodness is anchored in his trustworthy nature, leaders should strive to emulate this character. For leaders, the Bible should act as a foundation for ethical and moral decision-making as covered in the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and Jesus command that people love their neighbors. As long as leaders stay faithful to the word, God will make them good for their benefit and societys benefit.
Purpose-Driven Leadership and the Love of God
Another area of consideration is purpose-driven leadership and how it reflects Gods love for the biblical leaders and the rest of society. Research shows that purpose-driven leadership focuses on people identifying their purpose, assisting other people in finding their purpose, and linking personal and administrative purpose. These three segments of purpose-driven leadership are enhancements to conventional leadership techniques that reveal the leadership talent of everyone. Purpose-driven leadership also provides genuineness and harmony in leadership. As such, all three targets are essential for the development of organizational purposes.
In Biblical teachings, attaining ones purpose as a leader demands an initial understanding of Gods purpose for His people. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV), the Bible notes that God has fundamentally instilled a longing for eternity in His peoples hearts. In Romans 2:68 (KJV), the Bible notes that God will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousnessindignation and wrath. The Bible teaches that God created people for His own glory, not vice versa. Hence, those who seek Him shall find eternal life, and those who seek eternal life for themselves shall lose it. Therefore, as long as man lives, they should glorify Gods name. The advantage of fulfilling Gods purpose for ones life is that God offers personal purpose, happiness, and meaning in return.
Fulfilling a purpose drive life requires an appreciation of Gods love for His people. Leaders should be aware that personal pursuits can bear no fruit, as stated in the Bible. Purpose-driven leadership should be formed by first identifying that all glory should go to God, for He is love. Secondly, leaders should focus on identifying their purpose, assisting other people in finding their purpose, and linking personal and administrative purpose. The love of God informs leaders of Gods will and purpose. Divine purpose also helps leaders experience absolute joy and contentment in the Lord more than they could ever fathom.
Servant Leadership and the Love of God
Servant leadership is the best leadership methodology that demonstrates Gods unending love for His children. It is vital to note that servant leadership is a division of relational leadership. Research shows that Robert Greenleaf first developed the servant leadership concept in 1970. The author defined servant leadership as emphasizing the priorities of others over ones own interests. The leadership methodology is motivated by the urge to lead after serving, where the leader is a non-principal with a lack of desire to exploit personal ambition. In the modern context, servant leadership is distinct due to the leaders desire to enhance followers personal development, eventually improving social well-being.
It is essential to note that servant leadership focuses on humility. Humility is the capacity to outdo oneself by remaining aware of personal accomplishments, abilities, and limitations. In the Bible, humility emanates from the life and character of Jesus. It can be said that Jesus was a servant leader because he focused on the needs of the people ahead of His. For example, in John 13 (KJV), Jesus the Savior shows that he was also a servant to all. During the Passover feast, Jesus disciples had forgotten to employ a servant to wash visitors feet at the door. Jesus subsequently took up this responsibility and began washing their feet after supper. Although the disciples were amazed by Jesus actions, the Savior demonstrated how all leaders should act.
Like Jesus, leaders should focus on servanthood, not skills. Servanthood should not be about what the leader wants, what they know regarding a particular area, or what they want from life. Instead, leadership should be about putting the needs of the people first. Like Jesus, leaders should tackle their followers burdens before their own. Research shows that servant leadership (also called doularchy) is an ideal model for countering the effects of modern kyriarchy. Kyriarchy can be defined as a leadership model centered around tyranny, domination, and submission. Kyriarchy is prevalent in modern society as it exposes the dominant debate and practice in social leadership.
Nevertheless, doularchy must be used as a source of good and not evil. Today, most leaders disguise their actions by making followers think they are servant leaders while propagating kyriarchy. The scenario is termed kyriarchic doularchy, which in itself contradicts Jesus teachings. Therefore, leaders should emulate the servant leadership of Jesus because it was anchored on Gods love. Jesus leadership style was relational, meaning that it taught people to always look out for the greater good. In turn, servant leadership can make the modern leader at par with Jesuss character, representing Gods love in His peoples lives.
Gods Trustworthiness and the Role of the Leader
The role of the Godly leader should be anchored on Gods trustworthiness towards His people. Based on the servant leadership model, it can be seen that leaders can only serve truthfully if their followers trust them. Trustworthiness is a developed trait that entails believing in ones behaviors, becoming open, respectful of ones followers, less controlling, contributing to the greater good, and sharing what one has with others. In Exodus 18 (KJV), Jethro meets Moses and then later tells him how the Israelites have defeated Amalek. Subsequently, Jethro decides to go to Gods Mountain to celebrate with Moses. After Moses tells Jethro what had happened, his father-in-law is impressed and begins trusting Moses. Jethro then makes a burnt offering to the Lord in respect of Mosess success.
The passage shows how Moses becomes a trusted leader in Gods eyes. By following Gods teachings, Moses successfully defeats Amalek, much to the delight of his father-in-law. At this point, Jethro has gained Mosess trust. From the bible teachings, it can be seen that leadership is about following Gods word to gain the trust of His people. If Moses had been disobedient to God, Jethro would not have trusted him as much. Psalms 19:7 (KJV) shows how Gods law is perfect and that it is wise and straightforward. Leaders should use this trustworthiness of God and Moses to becomes beacons of trust themselves. By becoming trustworthy, leaders actions can be accepted by God for His glory.
Gods Love and the Role of the Follower
The followers of Godly leaders should never forget that the law comes from God, which displays His strength. Followers must obey the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and Jesus command that people love their neighbors. In Mathew 23 (KJV), Jesus reminds listeners that followers should develop a respect for the teaching through Gods message because God has given them the power to deduce and enforce the same upon their lives. Followers should always emulate their leaders ways of life as long as they have been ordained to interpret Gods word to His people. For example, church leaders must teach Gods word to the congregation, and hence, their actions will always influence how their followers act. The Bible requires that followers copy what their leaders do and say for the glory of God. This God-given capacity of leaders should make them more representative of Gods love by speaking the truth over His people. By assuming this role, leaders are automatically given the power to speak life over Gods people.
The Daily Life of a Godly Leader
The daily life of a Godly leader should be anchored on servanthood and friendship. In John 15:15 (KJV), Jesus states to his disciples, I do not call you servants any longer&but I have called you friends. As John 15 progresses, the disciples begin seeing Jesus not as a servant but as a friend. The change from servanthood to friendship allows the modern church to become a society of friends. Although servanthood is the preferred leadership methodology for the modern leader, there is a need to differentiate the organizational and personal roles. The theology of friendship is called philiarchy. Philiarchy can be defined as the nature of Godly people showing compassion to their friends and allies. Through the trinitarian theology of friendship, leaders should build friendly interpersonal relationships within communal and social contexts. The critical areas to center efforts are unpredictability, vulnerability, reimagination, compassion, and propheticity. The advantage of Philiarchy is that it allows leaders to remain relevant outside the organizational settings every day.
For leaders, the trinitarian theology of friendship is a representation of Gods love towards His people. When leaders are vulnerable, compassionate, and prophetic, they demonstrate Godly nature. Therefore, it can be seen that Philiarchy makes leaders Godlier. The theology of Philiarchy also informs leaders about the need to differentiate administrative and personal relationships.
Conclusion
An analysis of theology proper with a focus on metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, purpose, the role of the leader, role of the follower, leadership methodology, and setting shows how leaders can focus on and emulate the love of God, the trustworthiness of God, and the strength of God to infirm and form their leadership roles. Metaphysics and epistemology show the strength of God, while axiology shows the trustworthiness of God. It is also recommended that leaders adopt purpose-driven, servant, and friendly leadership. Finally, leaders and followers should remain anchored on Hods word to benefit fully from His unending love.
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