Sacraments Quote by Joseph Pohle
““In regard to the institution of the Sacraments we may distinguish a threefold power: the divine potestas auctoritatis, the theandric potestas excettentiae, and the purely human potestas ministerii. The potestas auctori-tatis belongs to God alone, the potestas excellentiae to Christ in His human capacity, the potestas ministerii to His ministers or representatives on earth.””
About This Quote
Source Theology Text: Sacramental Theology, 1972
Divine authority, Christ’s human excellence, and human ministry each have distinct roles in sacraments.
In simple terms: God, Christ, and ministers each act differently in rites.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the three layers of power in religious practice.
Themes
theology
authority
ritual
Mood
contemplative
instructive
respectful
Type
religious
educational
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- seminary education
- liturgical planning
- faith formation
Key Concepts
divine power
human excellence
ministerial function
Questions to Reflect On
- How do these powers interact in modern worship?
- Can laypeople experience the divine potestas?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on hierarchy can stifle personal spirituality.
![“[T]he mystery of the Trinity is the mystery of Holiness: the Glory and the Power of the Trinity is the Glory and Power of God who makes us holy. There is God dwelling in light inaccessibly, a consuming fire of Holy Love, destroying all that resists, glorifying into its own purity all that yields…” quote by Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c9/andrew-murray-1530_andrew-murray_t-he-mystery-of-the-trinity-is-the-myste_939897.jpg)
![“St. Bruno of Asti, who says: " The first tabernacle, therefore, is the Synagogue; the second, the Church; the third, Heaven. . . . The first was in a shadow and an image, the second is in an image and in truth, and the third [will be] in the truth alone. In the first, life is foreshadowed; in the…” quote by Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7d8/joseph-pohle-3769_life_st-bruno-of-asti-who-says-the-first-tabe_36723.jpg)
![“[John Calvin's] treatment of the person and work of Christ, of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, of prayer and liturgy, of the sacraments, and of the way in which we have an in-built sense of the divine that we suppress to our great sorrow - these are all immense contributions to…” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ef/oliver-d-crisp-12863_believer_john-calvin-s-treatment-of-the-person-an_62415.jpg)
