John Calvin in the Institutes II.xv.1:
Therefore, in order that faith may find a firm basis for salvation in Christ, and thus rest in him, this principle must be laid down: the office enjoined upon Christ by the Father consists of three parts. For he was given to be prophet, king and priest.
This is the famous triplex munus, the 'threefold office' of Christ, which has been used by Reformed theologians ever since as a way of describing and classifying Christ's work. Like Calvin's three uses of the law, it has the status of a powerful description of the way scripture hangs together, though it does not arise from an explicitly scriptural use. And that is what makes it a useful piece of theological thinking, so long as its provisionality is recognised. As is quite common, Calvin himself was not the orginator of the triplex munus - but he is its most prominent exponent.
Richardson & Bowden comment:
This (ie, triplex munus) has the advantage of bringing together three important strands of the biblical tradition. It does, however, tend to break up the unity of soteriology, choosing three categories at the expense of others (e.g. shepherd, saviour and servant), and scarcely takes adequate account of the extent to which the OT categories are transformed through Christ – their fulfilment is also in an important respect their abolition.
– A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, ed. Alan Richardson, John Bowden
Abolition? Hmm...
7 comments:
prophet, king and priest?
It thought that was all about personality types in church leadership, not Jesus. ;)
Dear Michael
The prophet, priest, king roles (I believe) are written into what I call the 'Dominion' pattern, which is repeated throughout the Bible from beginning to end. The prophet (God's Word) initiates events, the priest obeys God's instructions resulting in 'local' dominion as king. This precedes a conquest in which the conquering king (a David) becomes accepted into God's council. As a 'transfigured' king (a Solomon), he then becomes the wise prophet who initiates the next cycle, the aim of which is greater or global dominion.
The roles of shepherd, saviour and servant are all under the role of priest (watchman). Adam failed as a priest, and his dominion was usurped.
In the Christian life, there is this same progression, from birth through the Word, through obedience, to maturity. It is a progression from bread to wine, at the end of which, like Paul, we are poured out for the next generation.
Well, it depends what status you give to this... sounds a little neat to me.
I traced this through the Bible and it's like the DNA. I know it sounds mad, but it plays out like clockwork from Genesis 1:1. Actually I would appreciate someone with your brain, training and theological background having a look at it and letting me know if I am actually mad. I can email or post a PDF.
Sounds interesting! Email is good - I am at my.name@moore.edu.au
(ie, put in my name).
Michael,
Hope you're enjoying live back in Zion!
On the Triplex Munus, worth reading too is Pannenberg who has doubts about its utility. Also, there is a very good article by Anna Maria Schwemer on the Jewish origins of the triplex. I have an appendix on it in a forthcoming book on the messianism of Jesus.
I agree with Mr Bull: contra messrs Richardson & Bowden, the categories of Prophet, Priest and King are qualitatively of a different and more fundamental order than others such as shepherd, servant, husband, owner, vine, or any other metaphor used to illustrate something of Christ's nature, character and office.
The basic differences stem from the fact that they are all offices of the Old Covenant, which together represent typologically the totality of God's dealing with humanity in Salvation. All of the other metaphors are subsumed under these roles, except perhaps 'saviour' which is not a metaphor but a broader umbrella term.
Under the Old Covenant the trifold office was a sort of separation of powers similar to that of the Westminster system with its Parliament, Executive and Judiciary. Each office kept checks and balances on the others, and when working properly ensured a godly commonwealth. Ungodly kings and priests were rebuked by godly prophets. Godly kings prosecuted false prophets and priests. And godly priests set an example to kings and prophets of fulfilling the Law. Whilst some in the Old Testament exercised at least one of the other roles on an occasional or temporary basis (cf Moses or Samuel), only Christ combines all three perfectly.
Rather than "breaking up the unity of soteriology," the trifold office provides the fundamental framework for that unity, and all the other descriptors are woven into that frame.
As prophet he is the ultimate revelation of God. The messenger is himself the message.
As priest he not only offers the perfect sacrifice, he is the sacrifice.
As King, he not only rules for God, He rules as God.
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