A Trinitarian Concept of Office: Pedagogy and Praxis

Stewardship is in origin largely an American phenomenon, and the Lutheran Church has had a great deal to do with this reality. This paper claims that what one actually stewards is an office, a metaphysical vessel of principle and spirit by which authority is made manifest through the one(s) holding the office. A precise understanding of the office is offered in its essentials, but especially as related to the office of Christ. The concept of office is defined with respect to its grant of authority, and this in turn is approached from a Trinitarian analysis. The role of 'inner' (spiritual) versus 'outer' baptism (of water) and both with respect to anointing and confirmation, are examined. Lastly, the paper emphasizes the importance of emblematic representations both in evaluating the office and in assessing its stewardship.