Priests and laity between the New Testament and current practices

This article by Lebanese lay theologian Raymond Rizk offers a historical and theological synthesis of the evolution of the distinction between priests and laity in the Church, from its New Testament origins to the contemporary era. Adopting a chronological and critical approach, the author shows that the New Testament is unaware of the clergy/laity categorization and affirms the royal priesthood of all the baptized. He then traces the successive shifts — monarchical episcopate, sacralization of ministry, influence of the Levitical model and the Christianized Roman Empire — that progressively marginalized the laity. The article also highlights resistance to these developments: monasticism, great spiritual figures, Orthodox brotherhoods, and lay theologians. Drawing on the works of Afanassieff and Zizioulas, Rizk advocates for an organic vision of the Church-as-communion, where clergy and laity together exercise, in a relationship of service rather than domination, their shared responsibility within the Body of Christ.