Understanding the Purpose and Power of Authority

We often view authority as something oppressive, stifling, even fearful. And sometimes—perhaps too often—those impressions bear out in reality. We live in an era of overstepped boundaries and abuse in many fields of life, so that authority has become the enemy.

We may also have a limited idea of what authority means. Even with legitimate authority, we may believe that only people who reach a certain “level” in life can exercise leadership, not thinking we could ever be called to a place of authority ourselves.

In Understanding the Purpose and Power of Authority, best-selling author Dr. Myles Munroe offers a positive response to today's leadership crisis. He turns widely accepted but counterfeit concepts of authority upside down. Then, he reveals God’s original intent, showing us how to live in the freedom of our own personal authority, deal with negative authority, and respond positively to the inherent authority of others.

This culture-transforming book explains that we were all created for authority. It is what we’re authorized to do according to our inborn purposes. In various ways, we are also answerable to the authority of others. This is actually a benefit to us, freeing us to become who we were created to be and enabling us to function, grow, and prosper in life.

Dr. Munroe calls authority “the beautiful principle” because it is a means of providing the resources, protection, refreshment, growth, accomplishment, fulfillment, and satisfaction we all need in life. This book invites you to develop your own personal authority so you may fulfill your unique purpose for the betterment of our world.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Preface: The (Un)Reality Show
4. Introduction: Authority Turned Upside Down
5. Part 1: What Is Authority?
6. Chapter 1: Authority Is Within You
7. Chapter 2: Sharks and Other "Role Models" of Power
8. Chapter 3: The Source of Authority
9. Chapter 4: The Betrayal and the Restoration of Authority
10. Chapter 5: A Vital Principle of Authority
11. Chapter 6: Ten Primary Purposes of Authority
12. Part 2: What Is My Personal Authority?
13. Chapter 7: Manifesting Your Personal Authority
14. Chapter 8: Benefits to Living in Your Personal Authority
15. Chapter 9: Twelve Keys to Discovering Personal Authority
16. Chapter 10: Igniting Your Personal Authority
17. Chapter 11: The Interdependent Nature of Authority
18. Chapter 12: How to Thrive Under Authority (Both Positive and Negative)
19. Chapter 13: Twelve Principles of Authority in Relation to Your Calling
20. Part 3: Restoring True Authority in the World
21. Chapter 14: Keys to Reestablishing Legitimate Authority on Earth
22. Chapter 15: Four Basic Realms of Authority
23. Epilogue: Authority, the Beautiful Principle
24. Authority and a Word to the Third Word
25. Closing Credits