The priesthood of all believers is a core Protestant belief. But what does it actually mean?Uche Anizor and Hank Voss set the record straight in this concise treatment of a doctrine that lies at the center of church life and Christian spirituality. The authors look at the priesthood of all believers in terms of the biblical witness, the contribution of Martin Luther and the doctrine of the Trinity. They place this concept in the context of the canonical description of Israel and the church as a royal priesthood that responds to God in witness and service to the world.Representing Christ is much more than a piece of Reformation history. It shows that the priesthood of all believers is interwoven with the practical, spiritual and missional life of the church.
Table of Content
1. Exalted Clergy or Egalitarian Priests?
Potential Priesthood Problems
A Common Priesthood?
A Theological Vision for the Doctrine
A Brief Note on Authorship
2. A Royal Priesthood: Scripture?s Story
Royal Priesthood in the Garden Sanctuary: Adam the Priest-King
The Founding of a Priestly People: Exodus
Royal Priesthood Rooted in David?s Son: Psalm 110
Restoration Through the Priestly Servant: Isaiah 52-66
The Great High Priest: Christ?s Eschatological Priesthood
The Royal Priesthood of the Church: 1 Peter 2
The Service of the Gospel: Paul?s Letters
Priesthood and New Covenant Worship: Hebrews
A Suffering and Victorious Priesthood: Revelation
Conclusion: The Biblical Vision of a Royal Priesthood
3. Priesthood Reformed: Luther?s Burden
Setting the Stage: The Medieval Priesthood
Luther and the Sacrament of Ordination
The Biblical Doctrine of the Priesthood of Believers
Seven Ministries of the Priesthood
Luther?s Unique Contributions
4. Life in Communion: The Trinity and the Priesthood of All Believers
Does the Trinity Make Any Difference?
The Royal Priesthood Is Christocentric-Trinitarian
The Best of Songs: The Royal Priesthood Responds to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Three Inadequate Protestant Versions of the Priesthood of All Believers
Summary: Mystery and Maturity
5. Worship, Work and Witness: The Practices of the Royal Priesthood
How Do Members of the Royal Priesthood Respond to God?
What Is a ‘Central Practice’ of the Royal Priesthood?
The Seven Practices and Spiritual Sacrifices
Seven Practices of the Royal Priesthood
Conclusion: The Unity of Worship, Work and Witness
6. Representing Christ
Mature in Christ: The Great Priest-King
One Vision: Four Perspectives
So What?
Notes
Bibliography
Name and Subject Index
Scripture Index
About the author
Hank Voss (Ph D, Wheaton College) is national director of church planting at World Impact and senior national staff with The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI). He is the author of The Priesthood of All Believers and the missio Dei: A Canonical, Catholic, and Contextual Perspective. His ministry experience includes fifteen years in urban ministry focused on cross-cultural church planting and contextualized theological education. Voss is married to fellow World Impact missionary Johanna and they have four children.
More ebooks from the same author(s) / Editor
23,285 Ebooks in this category
