Call no man father...?

[wmscott]

There is only ONE Father and the title cannot be designated to anyone. Surely you recognize that some (certainly not all) who are called “Holy Father” weren’t the best representives of Christ. Scripture tells me I have access to the Father through prayer and I need no mediatrix. Approaching the throne of grace requires a deep love and devotion to the TRIUNE God. Why would I need to call anyone else Father?

How about a little context here, something as simple as this subject and so many always getting it wrong. That’s the problem with folks who think they can privately interpret the Bible without any teaching authority to correct them when they are wrong.

Matt 23:8-12 *As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

• [23:8–12] These verses, warning against the use of various titles, are addressed to the disciples alone. While only the title ‘Rabbi’ has been said to be used in addressing the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:7), the implication is that Father and ‘Master’ also were. The prohibition of these titles to the disciples suggests that their use was present in Matthew’s church. The Matthean Jesus forbids not only the titles but the spirit of superiority and pride that is shown by their acceptance.

HAYDOCKS CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY
Ver. 9-10. Call none your father … Neither be ye called masters, &c. The meaning is, that our Father in heaven is incomparably more to be regarded, than any father upon earth: and no master is to be followed, who would lead us away from Christ. But this does not hinder but that we are by the law of God to have a due respect both for our parents and spiritual fathers, (1 Corinthians iv. 15,) and for our masters and teachers. (Challoner) — This name was a title of dignity: the presidents of the assembly of twenty-three judges where so called; the second judge of the sanhedrim, &c. (Bible de Vence) — Nothing is here forbidden but the contentious divisions, and self-assumed authority, of such as make themselves leaders and favourers of schisms and sects; as Donatus, Arius, Luther, Calvin, and innumerable others of very modern date. But by no means the title of father, attributed by the faith, piety, and confidence of good people, to their directors; for, St. Paul tells the Corinthians, that he is their only spiritual Father: If you have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet not many Fathers. (1 Corinthians iv. 15.)

 

[KathleenGee]

Very good posts…yes we Catholics recall all these references when we think about it…

It is interesting, however, that those who think we are misusing the title for our priests…who are so strong in the Bible…do not see the other parts we know as are given here by our brethren.

 

[bearer]

I have noticed that most non Catholic denoms like the literal when it suits their purposes but when they get to John 6 they turn to the non literal.

Why would I call anyone else Father?..because that is a priest’s title…just like your mother’s husband.

 

[Pitcharan]

Very good posts…yes we Catholics recall all these references when we think about it…

It is interesting, however, that those who think we are misusing the title for our priests…who are so strong in the Bible…do not see the other parts we know as are given here by our brethren.

Hi Kathleen!
I take this opportunity to share my thoughts:
I felt that our Lord meant this:

1. Human fathers should always remember that they are all are merely empowered to procreate and the Creator is the real Father of all
2. Human masters who lord over their slaves should always fear the Lord of lords who alone has true claim on all of us as He bought us from Satan with His precious blood after we had foolishly sold ourselves to Satan by succumbing to his temptation
3. All human teachers of scripture should teach nothing of their own but only what the true Teacher Jesus taught

 

[PbloPicasso]

This was a very difficult thing for me to overcome at first. But I too realized that the scripture didn’t limit it to “call no man father”. It also includes “teacher” as well.

Doctor means teachers. Teachers we sometimes call teacher. Professors typically have PhDs, thus teacher again. Then there is the fact that we refer to and call our dad’s father. Not to mention grandfathers. SO, then, what is really meant by this passage?

The first time I spoke to a priest on my way home to the Catholic Church, the priest seemed to realize that I could not call him “father” and introduced himself by full name, not title. He respected that. But by the time we finished our discussion, i still hesitated because of the awkwardness of it. I realize as we reached the front door that I was going to come home and then, in a very hesitant tone, said “thank you, ffaather”. No bolt of lightening struck me down. Just the fact that I call my own dad father and professors and medical physicians “doctor” was enough to draw my attention to the fact that this passage means something different. Even the word Rabii, which the disciples would refer to Jesus as, means “teacher.” How ironic that we would think this means something completely different.

 

[KathleenGee]

Pitcharin…you are reflecting what our Pastor said…let us not replace God with human…we all have our roles and duties…but we all must see God as supreme.

I just don’t understand why fundamentalists don’t also see the same Scripture quotes as we do.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Hi Kathleen!
I take this opportunity to share my thoughts:
I felt that our Lord meant this:

1. Human fathers should always remember that they are all are merely empowered to procreate and the Creator is the real Father of all
2. Human masters who lord over their slaves should always fear the Lord of lords who alone has true claim on all of us as He bought us from Satan with His precious blood after we had foolishly sold ourselves to Satan by succumbing to his temptation
3. All human teachers of scripture should teach nothing of their own but only what the true Teacher Jesus taught

Number 4. is a spiritual number in Gematria. Would you object to one preaching, teaching, baptizing and adminstering the biblical ministry of reconciliation, marriage, anointing of the sick to be ones “Spiritual Father”? Who adminster to the needs of ones soul fathering the souls of men to live in Christ and fathering the souls of men to meet their maker?

 

[KathleenGee]

I would only want authorized and consecrated ministers of the Word and Eucharist…only that handed down by the original witnesses of Christ-- His apostles.

 

[Janet1983]

Is Jesus categorically forbidding anyone to be called rabbi, father, teacher? If so then the first thing that comes to mind is, what are all those non-Catholic teachers doing?

I don’t believe he did. He would have gone against quite a few things including himself.
Everybody who is born into a family has a father and Jesus was raised in a family.
I call my father “Papa” and I don’t see anthing wrong with that. I call a Rabbi what he is: Rabbi. Why shouldn’t I?
We talk about father Abraham and we talk about our forefathers. So what would be wrong about that?
What will a Christian child call his or her father?

Father, daddy, dad, padre, babbo, papà, padre, père, papa, Vater, Pater, baba, atë, pá, auqui, ata, aita, pàder, pèder, otac, pai, bubà, tad, patre, patri, pa, papà, papallu, patra, batú, bato, batico, dadá, pare, da, táta, fader, vader, patro, isa, faðir, isä, heit, pai, ciúri, apa, abba… all translations of the same group of words…

I am certain that Jesus did not deny anybody the possibility to call their fathers what they are and I am certain he was not literally ranting against titles that involve such things. I think he was ranting against the way some people looked at a rabbi because they were giving them honor that was not due. We should remember that a man of G-d may have more knowledge than we do and that he might be able to guide and lead us but that he is just a man in the end.
Concerning the pope (and I know this one will be called) this honor is due for all those who are under the pope. Why? He is the head of the Catholic Church and that makes him a person that deserves a certain respect. Try to meet the Queen of England and you will realize that she will be treated with the respect that is due to a monarch. It doesn’t make her any less human, but it shows respect for her position.

 

[KathleenGee]

Janet,

Exactly…and the Fundamentalists themselves see the same references themselves in all the personages of the Bible…

Those tracts…

 

[PbloPicasso]

Thank you, Janet.

 

[Doxiemom]

Just a wee side note…

lately I have been hearing some evangleic and pentacostal preachers and teachers refering to the “early church fathers”… interesting

reasonable people know that to call a priest "father’ is the same as calling your dad your ‘father’, one is spiritual the other is physical

it is by no means saying that any man is The Father to Whom Jesus taught us to pray

This is a picky little detail that catholic basher of the sort that refuse to consider catholic Christians use to justify their position.

To say that this means not to call any man father as if he were a god is reasonable, considering Ceasar was supposed to be a god.

 

[KathleenGee]

Someone quoted St. John Newman that if Protestants studied history, they would be Catholic.

 

[joe370]

I don’t believe he did. He would have gone against quite a few things including himself.
Everybody who is born into a family has a father and Jesus was raised in a family.
I call my father “Papa” and I don’t see anthing wrong with that. I call a Rabbi what he is: Rabbi. Why shouldn’t I?
We talk about father Abraham and we talk about our forefathers. So what would be wrong about that?
What will a Christian child call his or her father?

Father, daddy, dad, padre, babbo, papà, padre, père, papa, Vater, Pater, baba, atë, pá, auqui, ata, aita, pàder, pèder, otac, pai, bubà, tad, patre, patri, pa, papà, papallu, patra, batú, bato, batico, dadá, pare, da, táta, fader, vader, patro, isa, faðir, isä, heit, pai, ciúri, apa, abba… all translations of the same group of words…

I am certain that Jesus did not deny anybody the possibility to call their fathers what they are and I am certain he was not literally ranting against titles that involve such things. I think he was ranting against the way some people looked at a rabbi because they were giving them honor that was not due. We should remember that a man of G-d may have more knowledge than we do and that he might be able to guide and lead us but that he is just a man in the end.
Concerning the pope (and I know this one will be called) this honor is due for all those who are under the pope. Why? He is the head of the Catholic Church and that makes him a person that deserves a certain respect. Try to meet the Queen of England and you will realize that she will be treated with the respect that is due to a monarch. It doesn’t make her any less human, but it shows respect for her position.

Thanks for the feedback. I think the question is, call no man father or teacher, in what sense. As a paternal father/teacher or spiritual father/teacher, or as Father/Teacher aka God?

Obviously the latter.

 

[joe370]

Thanks for the feedback. I think the question is, call no man father or teacher, in what sense. As a paternal father/teacher or spiritual father/teacher such as Abraham or any non-Catholic spiritual guide of the flock, or, as Father/Teacher aka God?

Obviously the latter.

 

[PbloPicasso]

My daughter says “Yes, daddy” every time I tell her to do something or get onto her. She’s 6 years old and is so sweet.

Jesus taught us to call God ABBA, meaning father, ore more precisely daddy, from my understanding. I find it comforting when she shows me such obedience along with those respectful-loving words - daddy.

 

[Nicea325]

Someone quoted St. John Newman that if Protestants studied history, they would be Catholic.

Unfortunately many will deny or reject history.

 

[JonNC]

My daughter says “Yes, daddy” every time I tell her to do something or get onto her. She’s 6 years old and is so sweet.

Jesus taught us to call God ABBA, meaning father, ore more precisely daddy, from my understanding. I find it comforting when she shows me such obedience along with those respectful-loving words - daddy.

Jon

 

[Marybeloved]

Just a wee side note…

lately I have been hearing some evangleic and pentacostal preachers and teachers refering to the “early church fathers”… interesting

Yes! And I hear so often these American conservative, evangelical preachers on TV talking about “the founding fathers” and their faith, principles, values etc And it’s done with a type of obvious reverence too!

Funny how no one thinks that this is evil or sinful or even inappropriate, Somehow, everyone understands that in a true sense the men who “gave birth” to the American nation via personal sacrifice and the declaration of independence and American Constitution can be rightly called “fathers” of the American nation without sinning at all! Yet this reasoning escapes some when it comes to the Catholic church.

Anyone who takes on a fatherly role of caring for, guiding, providing, teaching, admonishing etc- is a father to those whom he serves in that manner, who are his children via faith/spirituality, biology, custom or adoption, circumstances (even politics!)