"You shall not call anyone Father"

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Here’s a thing I pray you’ll all do at your next MASS when your saying “Hi **Father **John”
as the word Father leaves your lips as an address to this man, PICTURE our Savior listening in!
I can see it now, “oh good they figured out I didn’t really mean what I said”
 
You say that it is apparent in Matthew 23 that is referring to titles. I say that it isn’t.
If you even refuse to accept that “Rabbi” is a title, then you are on your own. Nothing could convince such denials of reality.
Considering you haven’t proved your posistion one whit…
Over and over with Scripture and multiple Catholic sources.
So you will only use what american bishops say in this one instance over say the USCCB’s affirmation of say transubstantiation or the communion of the saints?
I do not cite such a source as the reason for my conclusion, but as very ample evidence that my conclusion is not my own and is thoroughly Catholic as well.

Wise Catholics already understand that Rabbi, Father, and Master were titles used by the Pharisees. They may reject that Christ is speaking to them in the text, but they do not irrationally argue that those were never titles to begin with.
Didn’t you read it?

This only says that this particular bible was not for liturgical use and thus is still a perfectly good Catholic Bible used by Catholics everywhere.

You gravely overstated your objection.

 
In Other words, there is no difference in their faith, and the way they lived their life in Christ.

Is condemning a man because of the title he used Just?
If you are asking me the theoretical question of 2 “equal” men appearing before God but one disobeyed God in one area while the other did not, then I am surprised that you do not already know the answer.

If your answer is that God will not judge disobedience, then you have a very different view than every other Catholic I know.

If God says no, but we say yes, we know better, then I have no reason to believe He will not hold us accountable for that.

This is utterly basic.

 
At the time of Jesus there were various sects within Judaism. These sects were the: Pharisees, Saducees, Essenes, and Zealots

These sects had houses of teaching within them .

Within the Pharisees there were two famous rival houses.
They were the House of Shammai(Beit Shammai) and the House of Hillel (founder of the Beit Hillel school). The individuals that these houses were named after were considered the “father” of the house.

Jesus warns the apostles not to be fathers to “separate” houses for there is but one house of the Lord. Jesus also says to call no man “teacher” or “master.”

–side note:
Paul was taught by Gamaliel[Acts22:3], a pharisee from the house of Hillel. Gamaliel was, in fact, the grandson of Hillel. Gamaliel was known as an elder and had the title of “Rabban” which means “Our Master.” This title explains why Jesus also said call no one “master”, for there is but one house and one master of all.

Again, Jesus wanted unity see John 17], and does not want the apostles to set up separate houses or schools of thought. The corollary of this is clearly expressed in Paul’s complaint in 1 Cor 1:10-15 where some are arguing their superiority by being baptized by, and belonging to, Paul vs. Apollos, or Cephas, etc. Paul goes on elsewhere to further warn against factions and divisions, and stresses the importance of one mind and unity of doctrine.

The meaning of “call no man father, teacher, or master” concerns unity and consistency of doctrine and has nothing to do with the commonly used references that are seen elsewhere in scripture or everyday use.
I am reposting this because I do not believe that a single refutation has been given to this post. Only one non-Catholic commented on it, but it was not a refutation. Please consider what I’ve said here. The context of scripture is important and non-Catholics are clearly ignoring what’s going on in the text especially in light of the lack of unity and competition among the Jewish sects at that time. Jesus wanted unity in doctrine and belief…He did not want competing houses of teaching. The only other issue He was concerned with was pride vs. humility.

If scripture allows for apostles and disciples of Jesus to be referred to as father or teacher in any fashion whatsoever subsequent to his statement to the apostles, then the argument is over and the Catholic position is supported. Every argument I’ve read on this thread fails to overcome this point. The whole argument about “titles” is a red herring. Referring to someone as a Father or as a Teacher is allowed in some sense or it is not allowed at all. Scripture makes it clear that it is allowed. Game over!
 
To those that say “it says what it means, it means what it says.” I would simply like to point out one thing.

Please understand, i mean no disrespect.

While it may seem correct to say “well, thats what it says, thats what it means.” However, this is obviously not true. That being said, how can we get around the very well accepted idea that “our God is not the God of Confusion” Wouldn’t those two statements mean that it really does mean what it says?

If you hold to “thats what it says, thats exactly what it means” and leave no room for a possible other, more simple meaning. We have to carry this logic all the way out to its final conclusion.

If you hold completely to this idea, then I can logically ask you “Do you chow down on Christ’s Physical body and Blood?” or “Do you have his corpse stashed somewhere in your Church?” I know it sounds odd and, well, disgusting, but if you hold to this logic to Call no man Father, then the same logic must apply to John 6. Obviously, you do not believe it says we must actually eat his body and drink his blood. You understand that to mean a symbolic thing (which I disagree with).

In Other words, the logic is not consistant. If we are suppose to use the “it says what it means, it means what it says” logic. Then the conclusion that MUST be drawn is that Catholics have it right when it comes to the Eucharist, because we believe we Are eating the body and blood, And protestants have ti wrong. Some catholics have it wrong about “call no man father” and some protestants have it right.

Obviously, the Catholic church does not preach “says what it means, means what it says” And by not accepting John 6, be inference, neither do you.

If the Catholic Church Preaches strict Adherence to “it means what it says, it says what it means” then You rightly back us into a corner with “Call not man Father”

However…

If As a protestant, you preach strict adherence to “it means what it says, it says what it means” that you will also, rightly be backed into a corner with “Eat my Body and Drink my Flesh”

As mentioned, Does god care about the Title? Or how the person holding that title lived according to Jesus.

Is it possible… however incomprehensible, that maybe, just maybe, What was meant here was not to put you or anyone else, above God? Could this not simply be a restating of the Commandment not to worship anyone above him?

May each of you be blessed in Christ
 
If you are asking me the theoretical question of 2 “equal” men appearing before God but one disobeyed God in one area while the other did not, then I am surprised that you do not already know the answer.

If your answer is that God will not judge disobedience, then you have a very different view than every other Catholic I know.

If God says no, but we say yes, we know better, then I have no reason to believe He will not hold us accountable for that.

This is utterly basic.

Atemi,

You understand the use of “Father” as disobedient, but we do not. We have given ample examples from scripture and presented the context in which Jesus says, “call no man father, teacher, or master.” I really think that scripture, history, and common sense are against you. If Catholics used the terms in the way the Pharisees were using them, we would then make a case for an abuse. The terms Father and Teacher as used by Christians since the time of Jesus are not against the command given by the Lord.
 
If you even refuse to accept that “Rabbi” is a title, then you are on your own. Nothing could convince such denials of reality.
I think what he means is that Jesus’ point is not the use of titles per se; after all, as a good Jew, He would still call those religious leaders of His time as “rabbi” out of respect for them. Jesus’ point, however, is that one should not be enamored to such titles so much so that one should seek glory through such means. We can see this in the preceding verses; the context should be drawn there. Those who oppose the use of “Father” often just read verse 9, and try to make the false conclusion that Jesus does not want the use of that title. If that’s the case, then Jesus is in violation of His own rule when He referred to Abraham as “father Abraham”; it is quite commonly used to call Abraham by that title in the Bible, after all. Yet wouldn’t you say that it is a violation of what Jesus said, by your own rule then?
 
Atemi,

With respect, you missed the point. What I am saying is that do you really think God put himself in box by restricting titles? Taking your own logic to its next step, you are now actually saying that having a Title is the Greatest of all commandments because it seems, according to your statements, that Not having a title trumps Faith, Love, Hope, and obedience.

It is Not disobedience to have a title. I’m sure your Pastor has a title. Is it a sin for Him to have a title? Even if his title is just Pastor, or Reverend. it is a title. Do you hold the same argument against them as well?

Didn’t Pastor Bob also have a title?

Is it possible that this strictism is not the proper way to look at this verse?
Is it not possible that this is simply saying put no one above Christ?

May you be blessed
 
The Ce doesn’t also give us the interpretation of this passge. Are you REALLY going to use this to prove your point? Why are you using the CE when you should have scripture proving your point?
Because you reject the witness of Scripture and I have proved my point from authoritative Catholic sources alone.

You reject everything, including Catholic authorites much greater and more respected than yourself. This shows all us non-Catholics that we have no reason to trust Catholic authorities since Catholics are not willing to trust them either.

LOL.
The fact is you can’t use scripture to prove your point becaue scripture doesn’t say title or not.
If you think you are convincing us all that you believe all truth is only to be found in Scripture, then we know better.
Imprimatuers ans Nihil obstats are not infallible unless you would like to sit here and claim the CE was given both by the Pope…
They need not be infallible and I never said they were, but you already know that.
What they do show is that the CE is waaaaaay more authoritative than your posts or opinion.
If the CE does not understand Catholic interpretations of Scripture, then you are extrememly hard pressed to convince us that you do.
I can sit here and say that the CE does not give interpretation period and if thats all you have, then you are woefully mistaken that you are proving your point.
And exactly where can you not see titles?

“He told His disciples not to be called Rabbi, Father, or Master, like the Pharisees”

One does not capitalize common nouns.

But, again, you already know that.

 
I think what he means is that Jesus’ point is not the use of titles per se; after all, as a good Jew, He would still call those religious leaders of His time as “rabbi” out of respect for them.
You will find not a single example of Christ ever referring to anyone as Rabbi.

Never.

Also, his point is that Jesus is not talking about the well know Pharisaical titles at all. That is plainly and obviously erroneous.
Jesus’ point, however, is that one should not be enamored to such titles so much so that one should seek glory through such means.
That is not what Jesus said.

No need to add points He didn’t make…and skip the clear command He did make.
We can see this in the preceding verses; the context should be drawn there. Those who oppose the use of “Father” often just read verse 9, and try to make the false conclusion that Jesus does not want the use of that title. If that’s the case, then Jesus is in violation of His own rule when He referred to Abraham as “father Abraham”; it is quite commonly used to call Abraham by that title in the Bible, after all. Yet wouldn’t you say that it is a violation of what Jesus said, by your own rule then?
First of all, “father Abraham” is not “Father Abraham.”

Secondly, He gave the command to His disciples. The Master gave the command to His students.

 
Here’s a thing I pray you’ll all do at your next MASS when your saying “Hi **Father **John”
as the word Father leaves your lips as an address to this man, PICTURE our Savior listening in!
I can see it now, “oh good they figured out I didn’t really mean what I said”
And this is the problem.

When those exempt themselves from a clear command of their Lord.
 
And this is the problem.

When those exempt themselves from a clear command of their Lord.
We’re not doing that at all. We’re exempting ourselves from having to adhere to a johnny-come-lately personal interpretation of the Lord’s words - BIG difference!

I should expect to see the Eucharist offered in your church the next time you meet, in accordance with the very clear command of Our Lord in John 6. And, I should expect your pastor to explain that the elements really are the body and blood of Jesus, as indicated in the plain words of the text. Otherwise, you’re holding us to a standard to which you refuse to hold yourself.
 
I must admit, I do not feel 100% comfortable calling a priest father who is younger than me. Many priests don’t care for the title either.

In other countries they are addressed as reverend, which would be just fine for me. I feel perfectly fine calling someone Monsignor.

The idea behind calling them father is to emphasize the family relationship. A priest gives us eternal life through baptism, the same way a biological father gives us our earthly life.
 
You will find not a single example of Christ ever referring to anyone as Rabbi.
Not in the Bible; doesn’t mean He never used the title when dealing with them on a daily basis. Like, for instance, talking to them in a casual way or even just greeting them. Again, you would have to argue against the culture of Jesus’ time, of which He was still a part of, after all, and His culture still dictates that He, as a good Jew, call those leaders as “rabbi”. I see you seem to forget that.
That is not what Jesus said.
No need to add points He didn’t make…and skip the clear command He did make.
It’s a point He did make, Atemi:

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ (Matthew 23:6-7). We can go even a bit further back to verses 3-5 where that point was raised.
First of all, “father Abraham” is not “Father Abraham.”
It’s still a title out of respect for Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, and of all nations as well. Doesn’t matter if it’s with a capital or small “f”; the point is Jesus, as well as in Acts, that title was used.
Secondly, He gave the command to His disciples. The Master gave the command to His students.
Then the Master Himself should be giving the example, right? By your own logic as well, His students seem to have failed, as we see Paul refer to himself as father, and Stephen also used the title of father to Abraham.
 
We’re not doing that at all. We’re exempting ourselves from having to adhere to a johnny-come-lately personal interpretation of the Lord’s words - BIG difference!
This assumes the spiritual history of man shows an evolution to perfection.

My assumption must be that our Lord is correct though every man be a liar, no matter how many believe something for no matter how long.
I should expect to see the Eucharist offered in your church the next time you meet
Yes. We share in the Eucharist and it is wonderful. Thank you.
in accordance with the very clear command of Our Lord in John 6.
Since Christ is not talking about the Eucharist anywhere in John 6, or anywhere else in that entire Gospel account, that is no problem.

 
Also entered into evidence is Matthew Henry’s commentary on John 23:9
Secondly, They are forbidden to ascribe such titles to others (v. 9); “Call no man your father upon the earth; constitute no man the father of your religion, that is, the founder, author, director, and governor, of it.” The fathers of our flesh must be called fathers, and as such we must give them reverence; but God only must be allowed as the Father of our spirits, Heb. 12:9. Our religion must not be derived from, or made to depend upon, any man. We are born again to the spiritual and divine life, not of corruptible seed, but by the word of God; not of the will of the flesh, or the will of man, but of God. Now the will of man, not being the rise of our religion, must not be the rule of it. We must not jurare in verba magistri—swear to the dictates of any creature, not the wisest or best, nor pin our faith on any man’s sleeve, because we know not whither he will carry it.** St. Paul calls himself a Father to those whose conversion he had been an instrument of** (1 Co. 4:15; Phil. 10); but he pretends to no dominion over them,** and uses that title to denote, not authority, but affection: therefore he calls them not his obliged, but his beloved, sons, 1 Co. 4:14.**
You were saying Atemi about Father being used as a noun and not a title?
 
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