I prefer normal priests...
The Paladin is not a Glorified Priest at all. He's a tank through and through. The Priest easily out heals what the Paladin can do and has larger MP reserves. The Paladin however has a really high Defense, and learns Kabuff quite early (my Priest is almost lvl50 and still only knows Buff).
As for the assumption about Shiren the Wanderer and Etrian Odyssey...if I could find the games, even used, I'd likely be fans. Alas I merely have a small DS collection of Pokemon and Dragon Quest.