authority & totalitarian ideology

As the philosopher Slavoj ŽiŽek suggests, there is on the “mere authoritarian lust for power“, but there is also a “totalitarian ideology“.*

We would be best to resist the manifestation of these in the church.

It would not be in the church’s or the member’s best interest to allow the lust for power to be expressed in the church. Not only could we say it is it contrary to the spirit of Jesus, but contrary to what is best for people or the institutions they populate. But I have seen very little that discourages this authoritarian lust for power and very little to correct it when it is expressed. In fact, when we do see it, we call it “strong” or “charismatic” or “focused” leadership.

We would also be wise, in my opinion, not to allow totalitarian ideology to find its way into church life. However, it has found full acceptance. ŽiŽek describes totalitarian ideology as “the will to impose on reality a theoretically developed vision of a better world“. In other words, we endorse and fund authoritarian pastors and their leaders to theoretically envision a better and even perfect church in their minds and to impose this vision upon the church-as-it-is, the people under their care. Even with mutual consent with the people, we must agree that this is disastrous.

Is it possible for the church to be released from these two related scourges?

*(Living in the End Times)