The Munus Triplex as a Paradigm for Preaching
John Calvin made much theologically of the three offices of Christ – prophet, priest, and king (the three main offices in the Israel of the Old Testament). I want to float another use of this Calvinistic distinctive in this post – as a paradigm for preaching. A lingering question for preaching, at least for me, is how it proclaims the gospel it is authorized to declare. I guess I’m really pushing toward a biblical rhetoric for preaching. Part of the issue is the overall theological perspective one brings to preaching. By this I mean the fundamental distinction Paul makes in 1 Corinthians between a “theology of glory” and a “theology of the cross.” We must, I think, side with Paul and work out of the “theology of the cross” he develops and practices throughout his ministry. Within that overall perspective, the munus triplex may offer a helpful way to move toward a rhetoric of preaching. It might look something like this: ...