Theological Term of the Week

king (as an office of Christ)
The office by which Christ rules over the church and the universe.

• From scripture:

  …[H]e raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church…. (Ephesians 1:20-22 ESV)
  

  Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16 ESV)
  

• From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

  QUESTION 26. How does Christ execute the office of a King?

  ANSWER: Christ executes the office of a King, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.

• From Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof:

  As the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the eternal Son, Christ naturally shares the dominion of God over all His creatures. His throne is established in the heavens and His Kingdom ruleth over all, Ps 103:19. This kingship differs from the mediatorial kingship of Christ, which is a conferred and economical kingship, exercised by Christ, not merely in His divine nature, but as Theanthropos (the God-man). The latter is not a kingship that was Christ’s by original right, but one with which He is invested. … In general we may defined the mediatorial kinship of Christ as His official power to rule all things in heaven and on earth, for the glory of God, and for the execution of God’s purpose in salvation.
  

Learn more:

1. The Shorter Catechism Explained: Question 26: How does Christ execute the office of a King?
2. Thomas Watson: Sermons upon the Assembly’s Catechism: Question 26, Christ’s Kingly Office
3. J. C. Philpot: Jesus the Enthroned King
4. Wayne Grudem: The Offices of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King, part 1 (mp3)

Related terms:

• offices of Christ
• priest (as an office of Christ)
• prophet (as an office of Christ) 

Filed under Person, Work and Teachings of Christ

Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it. I’m also interested in any suggestions you have for tweaking my definitions or for additional (or better) articles or sermons/lectures for linking. I’ll give you credit and a link back to your blog if I use your suggestion.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms organized in alphabetical order or by topic.

Round the Sphere Again

Hurry Up
and sign up for the free Bible giveaway at Monergism Books. The deadline is Wednesday.

Leftover Mashed Potatoes Again
One more interesting way to use them up from Mennonite Girls Can Cook.

Hymnody
Numbers 94, 95, 96, 97 on Sherry’s list of Top 100 Hymns. (Semicolon)

Sunday's Hymn

Number 95 on Sherry of Semicolon’s list of 100 Favorite Hymns is one I had on my list of 10 Favorite Hymns, so I’m going to use that for my hymn today. Click on the link to Sherry’s post for more information on this hymn.

Sherry says that this is “the best poem of all the lyrics on the list so far.” I think I might put it on my list of ten most poetic hymns of all time. I’m not exactly fond of the Mennonite hymnal we use at my church and one of the strikes against it is that it doesn’t include this hymn.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Lord’s Day 23, 2009 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Fairest Lord Jesus at The Happy Wonderer
• Trinity Sunday at Nova Scotia Scott
• O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing at Hiraeth
• When Peace Like a River at Fieldstone Cottage
• Sinners, Dismiss Your Fear at joythruChrist
• Your Weekly Dose of Spurgeon at Pyromaniacs: Hold Your Cup Steady
• Holy, Holy, Holy at Conjubilant With Song
• It Is Not Death to Die at Jam and Books
• A Trinitarian Prayer from The Valley of Vision at The Upward Call.

Have you posted a hymn today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.