Introduction: Soteriology and the Threefold Office of Christ
Soteriology treats the work of Christ the Redeemer — what He accomplished for mankind — as distinct from Christology, which treats who He is. The Redemption must be objectively established and then subjectively applied to each soul. This gives rise to two main divisions: Part I (the work of Redemption as an objective fact, achieved through Christ's vicarious atonement) and Part II (the three offices by which He subjectively applies its fruits: Teacher, Priest, and King). John 14:6 — 'I am the way (King), the truth (Teacher), and the life (Priest)' — furnishes the organizing principle.
Introduction
INTRODUCTION Christology deals with the Person of our Divine Redeemer; Soteriology ^ ^rqpia% Aoyos) considers the object for which He came into this world. This object was the Redemption of the human race. Christ became our Redeemer or Mediator solely by His vicarious atonement, therefore, redemption (mediation) and vicarious atonement are interchangeable terms. The fallen race of Adam was not simply restored as a whole to its original state of bliss. In order to share in the graces of the Redemption each individual human being must co-operate with the Redeemer. To be able to do this man needs ( i ) a teacher, who authoritatively instructs him in the truths necessary for salvation; (2) a priest who effectively applies to him the merits of the atonement; and (3) a king or shepherd, who, by the promulgation of suitable laws and precepts, guides him on the ^ay to Heaven. Hence our Divine Lord exercises a threefold function or office, namely (1) that of Teacher, (2) that of High Priest, and (3) that of King 1 2 INTRODUCTION or Shepherd. Cfr. John XIV, 6: “I am the way (King), and the truth (Teacher), and the * life (Priest).” Soteriology, therefore, naturally falls into two main divisions: I. The Work of Redemption; II. The Three Offices of the Redeemer.