>>Do we all do the same things? Are we all noses? All toeses? All mouths? (heh)
We do not all do the same things. This is why there isn’t a priesthood that is set apart from the rest of us. The person in the pew next to you might be a better teacher than the guy in the pulpit.
(Iinsteted the number for clarification.
Your #2 doesm't follow from your #1. The "This is why..." is a non0--sequitur.
For one thing, it's "teaching" and "preaching" with "being a priest." Not all priests teach and preach, and not all who teach and preach are priests. (I teach, and, God knows, sometimes I preach and preach. Ask anyone!)
To the point, there are laypeople, including both men and women, teaching in seminaries and Pontifical Universities, i.e. teaching seminarians and priests. Four eminent laywomen havve been officially named Doctors of the Church, which is to say, they are recognized as having made particularly important contribution to theology or doctrine. They are Theresa of Acila, Catherine of Siena, Therese of Lisieux and Hildegard of Bingen.
In fact the number of laity who teach and preach is too great to count.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are FReepers like you, Bryan, who might just preach better than my pastor :o)
However that is not to the point. By teaching us about the Body of Christ, Paul was teaching us that the Church has a hierarchical structure, just as the Body has. We are placed in different positions by God in order to do different things.
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues..."1 Cor. 12:28, KJV
Insert the following for the first paragraphs:
(I inserted the numbers for clarification. Your #2 doesm't follow from your #1. The "This is why..." is a non-sequitur.
For one thing, it's inaccurate to conflate "teaching" and "preaching" with "being a priest.".. Etc.