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Law Chapel: Christian Leadership and Stealing the Glory that Belongs to God

This week Regent Law Chapel welcomed Dr. Corné Bekker, associate professor for the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship and Editor of the Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership (JBPL).

Addressing the topic of a Christian philosophy of leadership, Bekker contrasted the examples of 13th Century leader Agnus of Prague against the story of Herod in Acts 12, demonstrating the difference between the Christian idea of leadership and the world’s philosophy.

That difference is embodied in who receives the glory, Bekker said. “Leadership schools tend to draw the wrong kind of students – those who are trying to be great,” he said. He referred to the danger of the sin of human pride and the desire for personal recognition which steals glory that belongs to God alone. Quoting a friend he said, “We grow small trying to be great.”

In contrast, for the leader who is Christian, there must be a personal transformation that takes place by way of the Cross, a teaching Bekker said has nearly disappeared from most churches.

Bekker outlined five paradoxes of the Cross:

  1. Fulfillment is found in emptiness
  2. It is wrong to think about our “rights” – Phil. 2:6-7
  3. It is really something to be nothing – Phil. 2:7
  4. In self-evaluation, do not trust what you see, but learn to be sober-minded
  5. True humility produces Godly ambition, His ambition to purify a people for Himself.

Through the paradoxes, Bekker challenged students to allow the Cross to do its work in their lives so they would be truly qualified for their high leadership calling.

Bekker concluded his address with a 17th Century Puritan prayer which says, “Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to you. Convince me that I cannot be my own god, or that I can make myself happy, I cannot be my own Christ to restore my joy, nor my own Spirit to teach, guide and rule me. Take away my roving eye, my curious ear, my greedy appetite, my lustful heart. Show me that none of these things can heal a wounded conscience… take me to the Cross and leave me there.”


- By Kristy Morris

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