The Priestly Office of Jesus Christ in the Thought of John Calvin

This study is born of the conviction that Calvin’s thought on the priestly office of Christ is best understood by situating Calvin within his own exegetical and theological project, and within the historical context of sixteenth-century reform. Following the introductory chapter, therefore, chapter two sets this study against the backdrop of Calvin’s own life and times in order to demonstrate how Calvin worked as a biblical commentator and theologian, and why his biblical commentaries and Institutes constitute the primary source materials herein. Chapter three then examines Calvin’s interpretation of the second commandment; for as will be seen, Calvin’s reading of the second commandment, with its prohibition against idolatry and promotion of true knowledge and pure worship of God, had a profound impact upon Calvin’s understanding of Christ’s priestly office. The remaining chapters of this study, chapters four through seven, go on to discuss Christ’s priestly office in relation to Israel’s priesthood, Christ’s priestly self-sacrifice, Christ’s priesthood in relation to his threefold office, and how believers come to receive Christ and thereby enjoy the benefits of his priesthood, respectively. What this study will demonstrate is that Calvin’s thought on the priestly office of Christ is characterized by several key features, chief of which is a deep and consistent connection between the priestly office of Christ and the worship of God’s people. In addition, the priestly office of Christ will prove to be a motif which not only bears upon, integrates, and illuminates other key aspects of Calvin’s thought, but also provides a helpful vantage point by which to critique the offerings of other Calvin interpreters.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD