Tenet 7

7. The authority of fathers is limited by the law of God and the lawful authority of church and state. Christian fathers cannot escape the jurisdiction of church and state and must be subject to both. (Rom. 13:1ff.; Eph. 5:21; 6:4; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13ff.)

Rom. 13:1 – Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

If every soul should be subject to them, why does this tenet only mention fathers?

Eph. 5:21 – submitting to one another in the fear of God.

This don’t relate to authorities, but to how believers – including husbands and wives – have to treat each other.

Eph. 6:4 – And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Is this part of jurisdiction a father must be subject to? If the father's behavior makes a child angry (provokes him to wrath), is the child's wrath jurisdiction that must limit the father's behavior? Why is this text included here?

Heb. 13:17 – Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

This verse, in its context, refers to church jurisdiction. But once again, it speaks not only of fathers - everyone is under church jurisdiction.

1 Pet. 2:13 – Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme.

This verse, in its context, refers to state jurisdiction, but there is still no mention of fathers.

7a) The authority of fathers

See 5a); 5e) and 6a); perhaps also discussions of Tenet 3 and 4.

b) is limited by the law of God

Yes, God's law limits authority.

c) and the lawful authority of church; Christian fathers cannot escape the jurisdiction of church

Yes, the church should certainly believe that human authority ought to be limited.
d) and the lawful authority of state. Christian fathers cannot escape the jurisdiction of state

Yes, Christians - that include parents - should respect the law.

e) and must be subject to both.

Not an extra point, but a repetition of c) and d).

Other ways Christians understand this:

(No extra notes this time)

Summing it up

How reliable is this tenet? Here is the color code:

The color code:

      This is adequately Biblically defended

     This is defended biblically, but another view could also be defended biblically
      This is not Biblically defended


7. The authority of fathers is limited by the law of God and the lawful authority of church and state. Christian fathers cannot escape the jurisdiction of church and state and must be subject to both.