The abolition of the laity vocation, work and ministry in a Biblical perspective
R. Paul Stevens
- UK Paternoster Press 1999
- 289tr. Paperpack 23cm
`HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?The church is a people without laity or clergy, summoned and equipped by God for the life of the world. The triad of theological virtues (faith, hope and love) appears so often in the New Testament, sometimes together and often singly, that we cannot miss their central significance.1 They are what makes the Christian `tick.` For example Paul says, `We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ` (1 Thess 1.2-3). Vocation, work and ministry can be pleasing to God not because of its religious character (or even its public character in advancing the Kingdom) but because it is done with faith, hope and love (Col 3:23-24