Mao said that power emerges from the barrel of a gun.

The central task of theology is to demonstrate by reference to experience where authority can be found. The central task of political philosophy is to demonstrate by reference to experience where authority can be found.

Authority in the dimension of spirit — the dimension of life uniquely human, uniting power and meaning, and mattering to theology — is found residing in the heart of the believer and also the heart of the unbeliever. Authority in the conduct of politics — which occur inside the functions of culture that are inside the dimension of spirit, and matter to political philosophy — is found residing in the consent of the governed.

Authority discovered by political philosophy is the outward and visible embodiment of authority discovered by theology. It is the same authority in each case only in different phases of manifestation.

Power attached to the consent of the governed — MacArthur’s power — is legitimate, maintained by use of compassion, and lasting. Power detached from the consent of the governed — Mao’s power — is illegitimate, maintained by use of oppression, and fleeting.

In all cases, the actual puissance of power may be measured by its familiarity, its co-sanguinity with authority. Authority is the source, the substance, and the guarantor of power.

Authority is God, God is Love, He resides
in the heart of every creature.
The same He infusing every one.

Man’s vision should not be confined solely to external objects and worldly things, which are transient and perishable. Man has been given this vision so that he may see the pure, sacred Divine Consciousness abiding in his heart. The northward motion of the Sun (Uttarayana) is the appropriate occasion for developing this inward vision. This is the royal road for the spiritual aspirant to realise the Supreme. From this day, the Sun wears a peaceful and pleasing aspect. It is not enough, therefore, merely to recognise the northward movement of the Sun in this period. Every effort should be made to direct the vision inwards towards the pure, sacred Indwelling Self. This is the period for cherishing sacred thoughts and performing holy deeds. The sages and seers of ancient times used to wait for the arrival of the Uttarayana to embark on their sacred tasks.