A fundamental misunderstanding of the meaning of "authority" in the Biblical Narrative by many people who participate in a variety of churches makes them vulnerable to the rise of Fascism. They tend to see traits of an authoritarian person as signs of divine endorsement.
The Biblical Narrative categorically denounces not only authoritarianism but also notions of "authority" that have been embraced by the Church (and churches) for millennia. My professional colleagues in ministry (who have been well-trained, who are well-read, and who remain in conversation with the living tradition of the church) know this the way a physician knows how to take someone's temperature or their blood pressure.
"Authority" is a value of the Roman Empire. The Hebrew prophetic imagination does not kneel to authority they way Romans do.
Israel was born (in the book of Exodus) in an act of defiance against the authority of the State. Israel was constituted as a people at Mt. Sinai in an act of covenant-making. This put real and concrete limits on the exercise of power. The Ten Words serve of the original constitution. That many think of them as "Ten Commandments" is a testament to how thoroughly the Roman concept of authority has invaded biblical thinking.
The Decalogue calls the people of Israel to see every person as having eternal value and worth, to honor personal autonomy, to embrace commitment, to seek truth, and to acknowledge the value of the lessons of history. More than any other document in history, the Decalogue serves as the foundation of constitutional democracy.
Emperor Constantine, while valuing the unitive influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, could not abide its emphasis on personal freedom and the power of covenant community. With Constantine, the notion of 'authority" began to creep into biblical consciousness.
The Emperor Theodosius left a lasting impact on biblical thinking when he used his Roman authority to impose uniformity of thought on the diversity of expressions of faith alive in the Roman world at the time. Every Sunday we recite the Nicene Creed I am reminded not only of the transcendent value of the concept of the Trinity but also of the very earthy imposition (by the threat of death) of uniformity of thought demanded by Rome.
That legacy remains with us. It is expressed in the American Evangelical elevation of the notion of "obedience" as a spiritual practice and of course by the Roman Church with its elevation of the Bishop of Rome and Curia as speaking authoritatively for God.
A culture that embraces the Roman notion of "authority" is vulnerable to the rise of Fascism, as we see in our own contemporary moment.
I leave you with this reminder of the biblical narrative. Defiance, more than obedience, is the more biblical virtue. Remember Moses. Remember Nathan. Remember Jeroboam. Remember all the prophets. Remember Jesus, who was nailed to the cross for his willingness to violate social norms and religious expectations in service to the most vulnerable of his generation.