Who can I call "father"

[alterpstra]

(Forgive me if this has been brought up a thousand times, I'm new to theology section of the forum)

I was going through Matthew and I noticed something that I missed last time I read it.

“And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9, NIV)

I want to know peoples thoughts on this, what it means. It seems clear to me but I've never met anyone in Christian circles who calls their earthly father by their first name. I'd be concerned if I was a catholic, they call priests "father" all the time, which to me appears as a blatant disregard for what Jesus said.

Anyway, enlighten me if I'm being simple...

 

[lenpettis74]

(Forgive me if this has been brought up a thousand times, I'm new to theology section of the forum)

I was going through Matthew and I noticed something that I missed last time I read it.

“And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9, NIV)

I want to know peoples thoughts on this, what it means. It seems clear to me but I've never met anyone in Christian circles who calls their earthly father by their first name. I'd be concerned if I was a catholic, they call priests "father" all the time, which to me appears as a blatant disregard for what Jesus said.

Anyway, enlighten me if I'm being simple...

Don't take this too literally, and please don't think that this is going to be strong anti-catholic apologetics to use this scripture. What this scripture is referring to is anyone who is seeking honor with the purpose of fostering pride. Specifically the Romans, as Roman emperors of Christ's time were to be worshipped as gods as I understand, thus called "father". Jesus was speaking directly to this when he made this statement. If you use this scripture against a well versed Catholic, he/she will can show you Gen 2:24. Does this scripture mean you are to leave God? Or 1Tim 5:1 "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren..." We aren't to treat elders as God, obviously. Just to clarify, I'm not Catholic, but I love to debate them on scripture. This one doesn't stand on the proper grounds for debate given the exegesis, unless you are against a poorly versed one, but then you're just being a bully

 

[alterpstra]

Hehe, thanks.

Every verse seems like pandoras box, it appeared simple and clear cut... But I guess not.

 

[cyberlizard]

its amazing really that for all the bulk of the church thinks it understands what Jesus taught, even simple verses baffle people...

Steve

 

[alterpstra]

God reveals to some that He hides from others. Parables speak to me, while I falter on the finer details. I just want to know from people who's theology is more sound than my own.

Are there any differing opinions to lenpettis?

Does anyone think it is as clear cut as my original post?

 

[wildboar]

The point in the context of the passage is that we are not to place the traditions or teachings of others above God's law. Jesus says not to call any man teacher either. Jesus was speaking specifically of how the Pharisees taught people ways to get around the law. Paul and Jesus both say that God did appoint teachers in the church (Matt. 28:19-20, 2 Tim. 1:11). In 1 Tim 1:18 and 2 Tim. 2:1 Paul refers to Timothy as his son which implies that Paul regards himself as a sort of father of Timothy even though Timothy was not biologically his son. Paul was his father in the faith. So even the term "Father" in reference to pastors, although I don't use it myself, is not wrong. Perhaps the clearest statement is "For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14–15). It could be argued that certain priests have in fact exalted their traditions above God's law or even that the Roman Catholic Church as a whole has done so, but the simple use of the term "father" is not a violation of Christ's command.

 

[alterpstra]

Nice, thanks.
That clears it up a lot.

 

[CarlosTheJackal]

What this scripture is referring to is anyone who is seeking honor with the purpose of fostering pride.

Great answer!

Just to clarify a point to help Protestants understand Catholicism; we call Priests “Father” because they have been given a special dignity in begetting the children of God by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments; not by their own power.

God bless,