Prophecy and the Pastoral Office

Luther and Zwingli employed the prophet and biblical prophecy later in their careers to define the key functions of the pastoral office and consolidate Protestant clerical authority. Luther emphasized the duties of the prophet-pastor to preach Christ and the Gospel and guard true doctrine. Zwingli presented a dual conception of the prophetic office—as gifted exegete and as watchman of Christian society—and distinctively emphasized the cooperative relationship between the Protestant pastor and the civil magistrate in fostering Christian piety and an ethical society. New in both of their accounts was an emphasis on knowledge of the biblical languages in the prophet-pastor’s work as exegete. Their uses of the prophet and biblical prophecy helped them establish the prime authority of Scripture and furthered their visions of the reform of worship.