There are only priests if there are also those who are not priests. If everyone is a priest, no one is a priest. "Universal priesthood" is then a self-contradictory term. -- Dr. Norman Nagel, CTM 61:4, p. 278.
1 Peter 2:9 "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." The emphasis is on the church as a corporate unity rather than an individualistic Christian. The Apostle Peter is conscious of the New Testament Church as a new corporate entity set apart by God to serve Him. Dr. Nagel would understand that we are all servants rather than priests in the Old Testament sense of the word.
Hi Karl: I thank Dr. Nagel is speaking against a CPH book by Oscar Feucht entitled "Everyone a Minister" published in the 1970's. Feucht was an editor at Concordia Publishing House and a very humble and scholarly man. Feucht was stressing the priesthood of all believers and some felt he took it too far. Martin Luther also believed in the priesthood of all believers. Feucht believed the laity were not being used enough in the local parish to carry out the ministry of Christ and His Church.
The article is *Luther and the Priesthood of All Believers.* At this point in the article he is noting that other peoples outside God's priestly people Israel, are by definition not priests, not those who draw near to God to do service for all the world.
Koenig drawing on Luther stated that the vocation of Christians is to be priests to the world of unbelievers. They act as priests as they pray the Lord's Prayer, especially the second petition. Short quotations sometime need the context in order to properly understand them.
1 Peter 2:9 "You are a chosen race,
ReplyDeletea royal priesthood, a holy nation..."
The emphasis is on the church as
a corporate unity rather than an
individualistic Christian. The
Apostle Peter is conscious of the
New Testament Church as a new
corporate entity set apart by God
to serve Him. Dr. Nagel would
understand that we are all servants
rather than priests in the Old
Testament sense of the word.
What is the good Dr. speaking 'against' in his article?
ReplyDeleteKarl
Hi Karl:
ReplyDeleteI thank Dr. Nagel is speaking against
a CPH book by Oscar Feucht entitled
"Everyone a Minister" published in
the 1970's. Feucht was an editor at
Concordia Publishing House and a
very humble and scholarly man.
Feucht was stressing the priesthood
of all believers and some felt he
took it too far. Martin Luther also
believed in the priesthood of all
believers. Feucht believed the laity were not being used enough
in the local parish to carry out
the ministry of Christ and His
Church.
The article is *Luther and the Priesthood of All Believers.* At this point in the article he is noting that other peoples outside God's priestly people Israel, are by definition not priests, not those who draw near to God to do service for all the world.
ReplyDeleteThere is a typo in above post:
ReplyDeleteIt should read: "I THINK Dr. Nagel"
Koenig drawing on Luther stated that the vocation of Christians is to be priests to the world of unbelievers. They act as priests as they pray the Lord's Prayer, especially the second petition.
ReplyDeleteShort quotations sometime need the context in order to properly understand them.
Kleinig's point is exactly where Nagel is heading with this, I believe.
ReplyDelete