Showing posts with label priesthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label priesthood. Show all posts

Friday, June 10, 2011

Clergy vs Laity

The Abolition of the Laity by R. Paul Stevens
'...in the 2nd and 3rd centutries a definite clergy-lay distinction arose largely from three influences: (1) imitation of the secular structures of the Greek-Roman world not unlike the professional-lay distinction in the modern world; (2) the transference of the Old Testament priesthood model to the leadership of the church; (3) popular piety which elevated the Lord's Supper to a MYSTERY which required priestly administration' (p39)

VS

Priests in a People's Church by George Guiver et al
'When Christian ministers lead us in the Eucharist, they are leading us into MYSTERY...' (p29)