What, in the end, does it mean to have authority? Using a spatial metaphor, we could say that the Scriptures have been internalized. The individual with authority is able to rise from the community, which remains present within her, and speak and do what needs to be done ”” whatever we expect to see among Christian people ”” in the particulars of the situation at hand.
She may be praising God, giving a personal account of what God has done for her; or be performing evangelism: the proclamation in word or deed of what God has done in creating and redeeming the world, offering promise for the ultimate meaningfulness of human life. She may serve as a corporate executive, creating opportunities for the increase of wealth and goods in society; or in some other mini-society: medical, educational, cultural, familial, and so forth. We will not expect to see her as an “authority” within any of these societies (although she may be one), and in particular we will not expect to see her as an “authority” in the Church. For what we have learned from the Church is that the necessary structures of authority, and the necessary persons who exercise authority, ultimately serve the authorization of the individual believer who bears the society within her.
Scripture read in public, in sequence, with twice-daily frequency, without accompanying interpretation, presents us with a plain fact: that the truly authorized person (and since authority is personal, the true authority) can only be the one who is listening. She is now but a member of the chorus who, following the recitation of Scripture, will stand to join in the Benedictus or Magnificat or other prescribed canticle. But the hope of the universe is that she is being prepared to sing her aria. And when she does, we will rejoice in her authority.
The use of “she”, “the individual”, “the truly authorized person” is disconcerting. Is the author trying deliberately to show how the use of inclusive language is idiotic and can be taken too far by using it [b]himself[/b]? Or was he really speaking to a primarily female audience?