What am I supposed to call my father, since the Bible says he's not my father and I can't call him that

Question

Matthew 23:9
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in Heaven.

Alexander... show where it says that in the bible. You are making that up.

I meant Alexandra

Answer 1

Good point!! Protestants...please answer the nice lady...!

Answer 2

Hey
I think is awesome that you are taking from your time to read and try to understand the Bible, praise God!!
Now to answer your question, he doesn't mean to not call your earthly father, father but not to let any person come above God.
I hope this was clear for your level of understanding and I encourage you to continue seeking the Word of God and asking questions about God so that everyday you can be more like Him, God bless!

Answer 3

The passage means the meaning behind the word...not the word itself.

And do not think of any man and your father or woman as your mother upon the earth, for one is your Father/Mother, which is in Heaven.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 4

What that means is that all of us, regardless of our relatives or fellow man - and regardless of age, we are all the children of God the Father. This means do not allow any man to be put up on a pedestal above any other man.
Your dad is still your earthly father, and it does not mean you can't call him that.
Ya know, with only a tiny sprinkle of common sense, these scriptures would come alive instead of being strange to you.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with titles per say. Doctor, teacher, father if used properly is fine.

John 13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am.

But...You may NOT use the title for self-glorification like the pope does, making everyone who approaches him, kiss his hand.

Matt 23 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father--the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Answer 6

You can call your father, father. Just don't call you father your Heavenly Father.

Do you see the Father in Heaven part? Our Heavenly Father is actually our Greatest Grand Dad ever.

Answer 7

I call my dad, dad...lol...if I called him father he would think I had gone nuts. It has nothing to do with what the Bible says. Still, as I read the book of Matthew...it appears that it is speaking to the "proud" Jewish leaders and what they should be called. Still, take it as you wish...call your father whatever is okay between the two of you.
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 8

Try calling him dad, daddy, Abba or what ever. Personally that passage would be the last thing I worried about if i was trying to be a good christian... I'd be more concerned with the logs and not the splinters.

Answer 9

Dad. Daddy. Pa. Pappy. Uncle Moleman. Or get blasphemous and call him your father. I know that would be immensely disrespectful to god and you probably will never be forgiven, but it's better than calling him Uncle Moleman.

Answer 10

Daddie

Answer 11

It's talking about calling Catholic priests "Father So-and-so." Or calling the pope "Holy Father."