The Pastor as the Representative of Christ

Abstract

This essay explores the biblical and confessional foundations of the pastoral office, emphasizing that pastors serve as representatives of Christ by proclaiming the gospel and administering the sacraments. Brug distinguishes between the universal priesthood of all believers and the public ministry, which is a divinely instituted office exercised through a congregational call. He critiques “Romanizing” and “Christological” views that elevate the pastor as an icon of Christ, arguing that such views lack scriptural support and risk undermining the sufficiency of the means of grace. Drawing on Luther, Walther, and the Lutheran Confessions, Brug affirms that while all Christians share in the ministry of the Word, the public ministry is a special, God-ordained way of exercising this ministry. He concludes that pastoral authority comes from Christ through the church, and that respect for the office should be grounded in Scripture, not in hierarchical or mystical embellishments. Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).