Call no man "father"

[Texan_in_DC]

What is the non-Catholic understanding of this teaching?

 

[exoflare]

For a non-Catholic? Whatever the individual wants it to be…

 

[Chris_LaRock]

To the Non-Catholic, this means that only God can be called ‘Father’. This is in reference, obviously, to Catholics calling thier Priest ‘Father’ and therefore alledgedly contridicting scripture. It’s a classic objection.

 

[exoflare]

To the Non-Catholic, this means that only God can be called ‘Father’. This is in reference, obviously, to Catholics calling thier Priest ‘Father’ and therefore alledgedly contridicting scripture. It’s a classic objection.

Not always. In the past, some Protestant ministers used to be called “father”. Maybe now too in some places, I’m not sure. They didn’t have such an agenda to deride Catholic traditions in any way they could think of.

The interpretation you’re referring to is a relatively more recent development, started by anti-Catholic fundamentalists.

 

[rr1213]

Never bothered me.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

What was Jesus saying when he said not to call any man ‘father’?

 

[lak611]

What was Jesus saying when he said not to call any man ‘father’?

What about our biological or adoptive fathers? What are they supposed to be called by Protestants?

 

[lak611]

Never bothered me.

Well, your former pastor would have been called “Father” anyway, because Episcopal Church clergy are priests. (Catholics, please don’t jump on me. I know that their orders are not considered valid. I just mentioned what they are called.).

 

[water]

I was wondering why Paul called himself “Father” then

 

[rr1213]

Well, your former pastor would have been called “Father” anyway, because Episcopal Church clergy are priests. (Catholics, please don’t jump on me. I know that their orders are not considered valid. I just mentioned what they are called.).

Some Episcopal priests claim that title and some don’t. In my personal experience, which may or may not be representative, most don’t.

 

[Texan_in_DC]

What was Jesus saying when he said not to call any man ‘father’?

He was very upset with the Rabbi’s of the Pharisees, because they were taken great honor in being called Father or Rabbi and having everyone under them do all the work, Jesus wanted to point out them that they are to do the work as well, again Jesus felt like through their desire to be called Father or Rabbi or Teacher they were taken away the divine love of the Father our Lord God in Heaven.

So Jesus used very tough speech to get His point across that they are not above the Father.

He did not mean that we could not call our elders father, throughout the bible you can see this, by Peter, Paul and many others.

 

[Hastrman]

Jesus is not saying, “Don’t do your duty by your parents.” Still less is He saying (as the less intelligent anti-Catholic polemicists seem to think), “Never address a human male with the English word ‘father’”. He is saying, “If your relationship to your parents causes you to be separated from Me, change it or break it, because your duty to God is more important even than your duty to your parents.”

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

What was Jesus saying when he said not to call any man ‘father’?

Maybe this:​

Perhaps - bearing in mind how he relativises the ties of human family relationships - this passage is to be similarly understood. So that, as He says that His brother & mother is the person who does the Will of His Father in Heaven, His disciples, who pray “Our Father in Heaven”, are to avoid (or are to stop ?) calling men “father”, as they have His Father for theirs.

This would fit the emphasis in Matthew’s gospel on Jesus as the eschatological Prophet who brings in “the Kingdom/Kingship/Reign/Kingly Power of God”.

• His identification as “son of David”
• His miracles
• His parables
• His relativising of earthly relationships
• the imagery of kingship & wisdom which is applied to Him
• the question of Who He is, which “flesh & blood” cannot answer
  all point to this. ##

 

[GKC]

Some Episcopal priests claim that title and some don’t. In my personal experience, which may or may not be representative, most don’t.

In my experience, which is only in the Anglo-Catholic mode, all do.

GKC

 

[suupah]

He did not mean that we could not call our elders father, throughout the bible you can see this, by Peter, Paul and many others.

Could you point me to some bible verses that show that peter was referred to as father? Not flaming just want to add them to my list of apologetics verses.

I am aware of pauls discord on the subject in corintheans but not really of any other.

thanks
sup

 

[jmcrae]

In my experience, which is only in the Anglo-Catholic mode, all do.

GKC

While on the subject, how does one address a female Anglican priest?

In our ecumenical project, we are working with an Anglican priest who is a woman, and I have literally no idea what to call her. “Father” doesn’t fit, and “Mother” doesn’t seem right, either.

I’ve just been using her first name, but whenever I address her, she gets that “Oh, those crazy Catholics” look on her face, and becomes extra-polite - thus signifying that I’ve made a major faux pas?

 

[Allweather]

While on the subject, how does one address a female Anglican priest?

In our ecumenical project, we are working with an Anglican priest who is a woman, and I have literally no idea what to call her. “Father” doesn’t fit, and “Mother” doesn’t seem right, either.

I’ve just been using her first name, but whenever I address her, she gets that “Oh, those crazy Catholics” look on her face, and becomes extra-polite - thus signifying that I’ve made a major faux pas?

I am reminded of Radar O’Reilly saying “yes, sir-ma’am” to female officers. Back in those days (Korean War) and even during my early days in the the Army, it was unusual to encounter a female of any type, let alone an officer, and so this is the type of thing that actually did happen, as many older people can probably remember.

 

[lak611]

While on the subject, how does one address a female Anglican priest?

In our ecumenical project, we are working with an Anglican priest who is a woman, and I have literally no idea what to call her. “Father” doesn’t fit, and “Mother” doesn’t seem right, either.

I’ve just been using her first name, but whenever I address her, she gets that “Oh, those crazy Catholics” look on her face, and becomes extra-polite - thus signifying that I’ve made a major faux pas?

What about “Reverand”? It is actually the official title, just as it is for a Catholic priest.

 

[GKC]

While on the subject, how does one address a female Anglican priest?

In our ecumenical project, we are working with an Anglican priest who is a woman, and I have literally no idea what to call her. “Father” doesn’t fit, and “Mother” doesn’t seem right, either.

I’ve just been using her first name, but whenever I address her, she gets that “Oh, those crazy Catholics” look on her face, and becomes extra-polite - thus signifying that I’ve made a major faux pas?

There are no female Anglican priests, though there are females in sacerdotal garments in the Anglican world, alas. See Ordinatio sacerdotalis

Snarkiness aside, “the Reverend Jones” works for me.

GKC

Anglicanus Catholicus

 

[jmcrae]

There are no female Anglican priests,

I suppose we could get into a debate over whether there are any male ones, either - can a Bishop who ordains female “priests” have the correct intent when ordaining a male, either?

… though there are females in sacerdotal garments in the Anglican world, alas. See Ordinatio sacerdotalis

Snarkiness aside, “the Reverend Jones” works for me.

GKC

Anglicanus Catholicus

Okay. I’ll try that and see what results from it.