How Christians relate to power may be our truest test of character.

On the one hand, we reveal ourselves by how we utilize our own power. Are we careful stewards, who exercise power for good? Whether it’s as parents, bosses, teachers, coaches, customers or simply well-off middle-class Americans, does our use of power benefit others?

On the other hand, we demonstrate our virtue by how we relate to others who have power. Are we appropriately respectful? And, perhaps more importantly, do we hold powerful people accountable, even risking ourselves to protect those with little or no power?

Diana Garland and Vicki Marsh Kabat of the Baylor University School of Social Work have written an insightful, fascinating Bible study series, Power and the Christian.

The study grows out of their ground-breaking research on clergy sexual abuse. And while Power and the Christian explores that topic, it provides a much broader survey of types of power, uses of power and responses to power.

Garland and Kabat look at the stories of Jesus welcoming children; the young girl Esther, and the powerful men in her life; God’s call of Samuel and the boy’s relationship to his mentor, Eli; and King David’s abuse of power over Bathsheba and Uriah. They also focus on how Christians can please God in relationship to power.

You’ll find yourself thinking about your own response to power as you read these studies. Like just about everything that comes out of Baylor's School of Social work, these studies are first rate. They should be preached from pulpits and taught in Bible study groups far and wide.

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