Matthew 23:9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
So how does that work?
2007-04-02 03:25:46 · 11 answers · asked by aaronchall 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is, no doubt, for the same reason, those in the context of Jesus' words loved to be called rabbi.
Some try to water down the force of Jesus’ command by saying that his words cannot be taken literally, otherwise we could not call our male parent “father.” Is that reasoning sound? Hardly! Read the context. Jesus’ meaning is unmistakable. Jesus was not condemning the use of “father” for the male parent; how could that possibly be? He himself repeatedly referred to the male parent as father and referred to the Most High God that way. Matthew 15:4-6; 19:5; 21:31. No, Jesus condemned the use of honorary religious titles.
To defend the use of “Father” for priests the Catholic clergy claim that a priest becomes a spiritual father when he baptizes a person. They point to one particular scripture as authority for disregarding Jesus’ explicit command – that is, Paul’s statement to the Corinthians: “For although you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, did I beget you.” (1 Corinthian. 4:15, Catholic Douay) Was Paul telling the Corinthian Christians to begin addressing him as “Father Paul”? Of course not! Nowhere in the Bible is he ever called “Father Paul.” Peter called him “our beloved brother Paul.” 2 Peter 3:15)
Moreover, it is instructive to note that the Roman Catholic translation of the Bible by R. A. Knox, at 1 Corinthians 4:15, reads: “You may have ten thousand schoolmasters in Christ, but not more than one father; it was I that begot you in Jesus Christ, when I preached the gospel to you.” Now Catholics do have more than “one father.” In fact, they have more than “ten thousand” fathers, for every priest, regardless of whether he was the first to bring their religion to them, is still called “Father.” So the practice of calling clergymen “Father” is still in direct violation of Jesus’ command and is not supported by Paul’s illustration to the Corinthians.
Hannah J Paul
2007-04-02 03:36:59 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you are misinterpreting this verse.
Jesus is warning His disciples about putting others ahead of God the Father or allowing themselves a position of power and influence equal to or greater than the Father (read a few verses before and after this verse to get the full meaning).
If you give your minister any kind of title such as "Pastor" or "Reverend", you are doing the same thing.
Catholics do not consider their priest to be on equal standing with God and priests do not consider themselves on equal footing with God.
2007-04-02 12:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because the whole catholic system is against God's truth, They even claim to be a follower of Peter, they are Not, Peter was a married man, & Peter Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ & never did sprinkle anyone.
2007-04-02 10:31:03 · answer #3 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What do you call your male parent??? He is your father, right?
oh- I guess you'd better take St. Paul to task if you don't like that answer- because her refers to himself as a spiritual father to Timothy, among others.
...and that it what it means- spiritual father. Priests are our spiritual fathers, and we are their spiritual children- they are responsible for teaching us as our earthly fathers teach us.
2007-04-02 19:02:37 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because Matthew was not a Catholic.
2007-04-02 10:34:03 · answer #5 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would like to know why too good question!
my own dad would not allow me to call him father!
so far no good Answer except they are not his sheep cause if they were they would listen to his voice!!
2007-04-02 10:30:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you not call your own dad - father? What do you call your male parent?
Perhaps you should read the whole verse and not just take it out of context.
2007-04-02 10:30:19 · answer #7 · answered by Unity 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it all in how you interpret it - some will see and read something different to your perception - that is why religion is the hideous thing that it is because of misguided and incorrect interpretations.
2007-04-02 10:45:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you talk to a priest, you are talking to God through him. Pay more attention at confession!
2007-04-02 10:29:38 · answer #9 · answered by kyla_tobi 2 · 1⤊ 6⤋
So who is your daddy?
2007-04-02 10:29:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋