The Widening Circle
Graham Tomlin (2014) Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
Reviewed by Rachel Marszalek, JAEC
Graham Tomlin describes in the preface how the task before him is not an easy one: to speak about 'the priest' and be heard by the whole spectrum, from evangelicals to charismatics to catholics. He explores the ambivalence the modern world feels as it presents priests ineffectual or even downright evil.
To counteract this, those early priestly spokespeople for God are explored: Abraham, particularly, being one through whom blessing flows to others. This is a good reminder that God calls us all to bless what is of him when we find it: 'Election is never for privilege but always for blessing.'
In order to understand priesthood more fully, Graham's thesis takes a Christological perspective because 'To understand what priesthood means, we start with Jesus.' Jesus as priest after Melchizedek locates his priesthood in God.
The reader has their Chalcedonian church history refreshed as Christ's priestly role as mediator is explored, a role in which he is both man and God and therefore able to be the one in whom the created order can relate to God. Calvin helps Graham to articulate his first claim about the priest as one who reconciles God and man. Christ's priesthood is distinct in that unlike the priest, he is not a third party (an intermediary) but embodies in himself reconciliation, ontologically (mediator): 'he does not mediate something other than what he is' and on his ascension becomes overtly one who 'intercedes for us.'
The book then moves on to the work rather than the person of Christ. Christ's priesthood matures (perfects) the Christian, presenting us righteous because of Christ's perfect sacrifice. The priest, as intermediary is one who seeks the maturity of the flock entrusted to their care who offer their own 'sacrifice of praise' to God in acts of worship.
Christ's priesthood as mediating, perfecting and offering is traced helpfully and concisely through the book of Hebrews with its implications for human priesthood.
Reminded of a Pivot^Point I once chaired in which I was careful (with a wink) to refer to a speaker as a presbyter rather than a priest, I was curious about what Graham would go on to say about the New Testament's teaching about the role, especially since my own transfer into a higher church context. He acknowledges the tension that exists over the term and then explores its viability theologically. With a sweep of church history, he considers Luther's emphasis on all Christians being 'caught up in this priestly calling in the Church,' by virtue of their baptism (1 Cor. 12.21–23).
The priestly role is given primarily to Adam and Eve to co-create with God: to nurture and protect. God, in his kindness chooses our human agency but Graham is keen to always have God be the active party. Our role, as priests, is only a sharing in the priesthood (the vocation) of Christ.
Priesthood is expansive as Graham presents the grand narrative of scripture; the call to be priests of creation too, perhaps a topic under-explored by scholars on this topic before. Graham's thesis really does widen the circle of our thinking.
This circles expands within the church too to include the Gentiles and then all God's people (Pentecost) and the church's role is to continue growing such a circle so that as many people as possible can come to realise their priestly calling.
The Church has a distinct calling not so much to the whole of Creation – that is the human calling, in which individual Christians and the Church as a whole participate by virtue of being human – but specifically to humanity.
The rest of Graham's text explores his thesis but in such a way that the core doctrines and truths of the faith are refreshed. This would be a book very much to read alongside those we are encouraged to read when first exploring calling to the priesthood, it would widen horizons at that time when Christians are called to internal reflection. This is also a book for both the lay and ordained Christian because for each it will widen the circle of thinking, be a means through which call can expand and, interestingly, through which perspective can be kept – priesthood is both micro and macro, particular and universal for the people of God. A compelling read.
To counteract this, those early priestly spokespeople for God are explored: Abraham, particularly, being one through whom blessing flows to others. This is a good reminder that God calls us all to bless what is of him when we find it: 'Election is never for privilege but always for blessing.'
In order to understand priesthood more fully, Graham's thesis takes a Christological perspective because 'To understand what priesthood means, we start with Jesus.' Jesus as priest after Melchizedek locates his priesthood in God.
The reader has their Chalcedonian church history refreshed as Christ's priestly role as mediator is explored, a role in which he is both man and God and therefore able to be the one in whom the created order can relate to God. Calvin helps Graham to articulate his first claim about the priest as one who reconciles God and man. Christ's priesthood is distinct in that unlike the priest, he is not a third party (an intermediary) but embodies in himself reconciliation, ontologically (mediator): 'he does not mediate something other than what he is' and on his ascension becomes overtly one who 'intercedes for us.'
The book then moves on to the work rather than the person of Christ. Christ's priesthood matures (perfects) the Christian, presenting us righteous because of Christ's perfect sacrifice. The priest, as intermediary is one who seeks the maturity of the flock entrusted to their care who offer their own 'sacrifice of praise' to God in acts of worship.
Christ's priesthood as mediating, perfecting and offering is traced helpfully and concisely through the book of Hebrews with its implications for human priesthood.
Reminded of a Pivot^Point I once chaired in which I was careful (with a wink) to refer to a speaker as a presbyter rather than a priest, I was curious about what Graham would go on to say about the New Testament's teaching about the role, especially since my own transfer into a higher church context. He acknowledges the tension that exists over the term and then explores its viability theologically. With a sweep of church history, he considers Luther's emphasis on all Christians being 'caught up in this priestly calling in the Church,' by virtue of their baptism (1 Cor. 12.21–23).
The priestly role is given primarily to Adam and Eve to co-create with God: to nurture and protect. God, in his kindness chooses our human agency but Graham is keen to always have God be the active party. Our role, as priests, is only a sharing in the priesthood (the vocation) of Christ.
Priesthood is expansive as Graham presents the grand narrative of scripture; the call to be priests of creation too, perhaps a topic under-explored by scholars on this topic before. Graham's thesis really does widen the circle of our thinking.
This circles expands within the church too to include the Gentiles and then all God's people (Pentecost) and the church's role is to continue growing such a circle so that as many people as possible can come to realise their priestly calling.
The Church has a distinct calling not so much to the whole of Creation – that is the human calling, in which individual Christians and the Church as a whole participate by virtue of being human – but specifically to humanity.
The rest of Graham's text explores his thesis but in such a way that the core doctrines and truths of the faith are refreshed. This would be a book very much to read alongside those we are encouraged to read when first exploring calling to the priesthood, it would widen horizons at that time when Christians are called to internal reflection. This is also a book for both the lay and ordained Christian because for each it will widen the circle of thinking, be a means through which call can expand and, interestingly, through which perspective can be kept – priesthood is both micro and macro, particular and universal for the people of God. A compelling read.
Rachel Marszalek, JAEC, Feb 2016
