Terminology Tuesday: Munus Triplex

Munus Triplex

In Reformed theology, Jesus Christ is often described as mediator, explicated by the munus triplex—the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king.Though John Calvin was not the first Christian theologian to use the munus triplex to describe Christ, his discussion (Inst 2.15) is the basis for frequent use of the formula in many sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformed confessions. Martin Luther and others had described Christ by the twofold office of priest and king; Calvin added the third office of prophet to interpret Christ’s work as mediator.In describing Christ as prophet, Calvin did not apparently think of Christ’s announcement and enactment of the kingdom of God. Rather, Christ is a teacher of “the perfect doctrine.” The description of the Mediator as king refers to the eternal, spiritual reign of Christ over the church and each individual in the church, a reign promising the church’s perpetuity and protection. Because Christ is king, we pass through this miserable world “content with this one thing: that our King will never leave us destitute, but will provide for our needs until, our warfare ended, we are called to triumph” (Inst 2.15.4). When he describes Christ as priest, Calvin refers to an everlasting intercessor who, by his death on the cross, “washed away our sins, sanctifies us and obtains for us that grace from which the uncleanness of our transgressions and vices debars us” (2.15.6).The munus triplex is in many classical Reformed confessions, such as the Heidelberg Catechism (q. 31) and the (WCF ch. 8). The Larger Catechism asks, “Why was our Mediator called Christ?” The answer is that Christ is the mediator because he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and set apart “to execute the office of prophet, priest, and king of his Church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation” (q. 42).The Munus Triplex is not prominent in contemporary Reformed theology, though Karl Barth and Emil Brunner continued to discuss it in their interpretations of Christology. Contemporary theologians worry that the munus triplex represents the imposition of a dogmatic structure on the biblical text and that Calvin’s interpretation of the threefold office may not stand up under careful exegesis. Those who continue to use the munus triplex do so because it reflects the conviction that Jesus cannot be understood as Christ and mediator apart from the history of Israel’s covenant with God.
Barth, CD IV/3, pt. 1, 3–38; Heppe, RD; J. F. Jansen, Calvin’s Doctrine of the Work of Christ (1956).GEORGE W. STROUP

Stroup, G. W. (1992). Munus Triplex. In Encyclopedia of the Reformed faith (1st ed., p. 247). Louisville, KY; Edinburgh: Westminster/John Knox Press; Saint Andrew Press.