What is the Basis for Authority?

Luke 20:1-8

Just the last few weeks, the FDA has decided that they need to review the levels of fluoride in drinking water. Amazingly, every other developed country has banned it completely because of serious health threats. About a thousand children a year die of fluoride poisoning after eating toothpaste. In addition, it interferes with thyroid function and is suspected of contributing to various problems including Alzheimer’s. The FDA’s recommended dosage is higher than the EPA considers safe in natural settings.

“Experts” had insisted that it needed to be added to water and toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay, although only two of more than three hundred studies indicated any beneficial effects. Research just completed indicates that rather than acidic foods dissolving tooth enamel, it may be the result of the fluoride, forcing the reexamination of the recommendations.

It seems the authorities who wrote the reports supporting the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing tooth decay faked the results of the studies. If true, many of the dental problems today may be the result of the treatments that was to prevent them. Interestingly, the two studies that claimed it beneficial were authorized and funded by the manufacturer. All of the studies that were not sponsored by the manufacturer found no benefit or serious problems.

It is worthwhile knowing what the source of authority is for any action or information. Vested interests may cause unintentional distortion of the truth by honest people, while dishonet ones deliberately lie to accomplish their purpose. It is well to ask what the basis is.

“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?” (Luke 20:1-2)

Jesus’ authority had already been established by John the Baptist, by the announcement of God, and by the miracles he did throughout Israel. Questioning it was kind of like some purported expert questioning Henry Ford’s ability to design a workable car twenty years after he began production of the Model T. His abilities were already pretty well established. In essence, Jesus asked them to establish their authority for doubting his authority.

“And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?( Luke 20;3-4)

Since John had proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, if John’s teaching was from God, they must accept what he said as valid, but if it wasn’t, then his claim for Jesus must also be false.

“And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.” (Luke 20:5-7)

Their answer? “We’re agnostic”, we don‘t know. In reality they had already decided, but they were not willing to pay the price of their decision. The word agnostic does not actually mean to ‘not know,’ but ‘opposed to knowing.’ Once people know, they are responsible for what they do. By refusing to know they hope to escape the consequences of their decision.

“And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” (Luke 20:8)

The old saying, “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still” is true. Since they have already made up their mind not to believe, regardless of the evidence, there is no point in Jesus trying to convince them otherwise. Jesus himself said we shouldn’t cast our pearls before swine. It’s like trying to convince some Democrats that a Republican has a good idea or Rush Limbaugh that a Democrat does. You’re wasting your time, since they refuse to even consider the possibility. Israel’s Rejection of God