Does the Pope blaspheme the Triune God by the titles he uses?

Question

The Pope calls himself "Holy Father", "Head of the Church", and the "Vicar of Christ". These are Titles that belong to the three Persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, respectively). Is it blasphemous for the Pope to claim such titles for himself?

"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven." - Matthew 23:9

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. - Ephesians 5:23

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." - John 16:7

Answer 1

I don;t feel like anyone should put therselves on the same level with God, and GOD is the ONLY HOLY FATHER.. blaspheme ? i think so..!

Answer 2

In Matthew 23 when Jesus tells us to call no man "father" He is speaking figurative language to wmphasize that all lefitimate authority and truth ultimately come from God. We are not to take these passages literally.

Throughout the Bible men are called fathers. Both Catholics and Protestants call earthly men fathers. St. Stephen and St. Paul call the Jewish religios leaders "father" (Acts 7:2 and 22:1). St. Paul calls the Corinthians "my beloved children...for I became you father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel"(1 Cor. 4:14-15)

He is called Head of the Church because of apostolic succession. The succession of the Pope can be traced back to Peter, the first Pope. Jesus made Peter the head of the church when He gave him the keys to the Kingdom (Lk. 22:31-32 and John 21:15-17)

As far as Vicar of Christ, that means he represents Christ on earth just as Peter did.

The Pope does not by any means place himself equal to God, but a humble servant.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 3

Although I am not Catholic and often disagree with individual Popes I have a great deal of Respect for the men who have dedicated them selfs to the Catholic Priesthood and rose throught the ranks to the position of Pope. They are human and full of eror like the rest of us I do not believe there is malice of intent in anything that they do. The titles are somewhat archaic and can be construed as you imply I do not feel in my Spirit that they are blasphemous or intended to usurp Christ's or God position and authority.

Answer 4

From what you have presented, I would say " yes "

How ever, there is a certain amount of context that needs to be acknowledged before we have another " Crusade " lol :)

A "Father" is a religious term amongst preacher. It's a sort of ranking system. So, the term ' Holy Father " would be like Grand father for the church. I doubt there was any intention of assuming the role of Savior there.

Answer 5

By that logic, I'm blasphemous every time I address my dad as "father."

You seem very preoccupied with semantics. For example, as you say, I am to call God my Father. That would make me the son of God. Yet Christ is the son of God. Do you also demand that I'm equating myself with Christ?

Answer 6

No.

+ Holy +

The Bible states that anyone who possesses the Holy Spirit is holy. The Bible speaks of a holy man of God, holy ones, a holy people, a holy nation, and holy brothers.

That is why Mary is blessed (holy). The angel Gabriel called her, "Full of grace" and, "The Lord is with you."

+ Holy Father +

The Pope is "a" Holy Father not "God the Father."

In context, Matthew 23:7-9 reads, "... And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."

This is call for humility for those in leadership roles. Not to be taken literally.

We are not to deny our male parent and cut the Commandment to honor our father and mother in half.

Some leaders in any church may fall into the same folly as the pharisees of Jesus' day.

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9101dq.asp

+ Human Leader of the Church on Earth +

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19)

The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

The Pope has been appointed by Christ and the Holy Spirit as the
+ Head of the Church on Earth
+ Vicar of Christ on Earth

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 7

He does not Blaspheme, but, what would you call a person who ridicules Holy people and things? What do you think should happen to a person that does that? (Remember Samuel and David when you answer this)

Answer 8

no...The title VIcar of Christ belongs to the trinity? That doesnt even make sense..

Vicar of Christ means that he represents Christ. Why would Jesus need tor epresent himself, since He is Himself?

Answer 9

This whole trinity thing is a heresy anyway. God says several times in the old testament that he is the one and only, and that he is not divisible. So either God in the bible lies, Jesus lies or the Pope lies.

Answer 10

No, I don't believe so. I don't see anything wrong with the fact that God has an earthly leader for His Church.