Why do Catholics call a priest father when Mat 23:9 states not to?

Question

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

(Matthew 23:9) Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. CEV

Answer 1

Good question. What J. Christ was meaning, was not to think that you originated from earth, but from Heaven. "God" is your Maker, not some man which is from the earth that put no thought into your creation other than the "Original Happy Thought." That's the carnal man. "You are a Spiritual Being," He is saying, "And you should be thinking of yourself in the light of your Holy Origin." (Spoken to His followers, and not to just any man off the street.)

The priestly name, "Father," didn't mean that the priest was actually your originator, but has a thought of respect behind it. (At least it does now.)

George Washington was the "Father" of our country.

Those that blamed you for this question, should have known that it was a question, and not a judgment. It was not stating that these 'fathers' should be condemned, nor the ones that called them that.

Now, Islam, has a hard time with this thought of God being our "Father". Their focus is on the origin of the carnal part of us. (He didn't have sex with Mary because the Quran says, "He has no Father, nor Mother, nor son.") But when I explain it in this light, that "Father" means "Originator," the Muslims that I speak with, can grasp that. It's just a matter of linguistics, and not the concepts behind it.

Answer 2

It's from the paganism that crept into the Church in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Irenaeus wrote about it! As the early Church Fathers that were taught by the Apostles were dying out, men were relying on their own knowledge of the scriptures instead of being taught by the Holy Ghost. This is why there are so many different denominations. I am thankful that I belong to the original!

Answer 3

Catholics do a lot of unbiblical things. They hold their traditions to be on the same level as scripture. They believe Mary and various saints can intercede for them with God... and they call their spiritual leader "Father." Catholicism is one of Satan's most devious deceptions because it seems so Christian but it continually perverts the truth and diverts men from Christ. Perhaps the most dangerous teachings of the Catholic church is purgatory... a kind of temporary hell that can eventually be escaped.

Answer 4

Because they're not Christians. If catholics were Christians, then all those true Christians throughout history that were killed by catholics for giving the Bible to the people, for preaching salvation by grace through faith, that were burned alive, had stakes driven through them, were killed for their beliefs.... they were fools, right?

Wrong. Catholics are not Christians

Besides, they have a false gospel of works, and the purgatory thing. How can they claim to be Christians, when they have this fake "purgatory"? In reality all who die end up either in heaven, or awaiting judgement and sentencing to eternal hell. That means they have a false gospel.

Answer 5

John said, "My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1); "No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth" (3 John 4). In fact, John also addresses men in his congregations as "fathers" (1 John 2:13–14).

By referring to these people as their spiritual sons and spiritual children, Peter, Paul, and John imply their own roles as spiritual fathers. Since the Bible frequently speaks of this spiritual fatherhood, we Catholics acknowledge it and follow the custom of the apostles by calling priests "father." Failure to acknowledge this is a failure to recognize and honor a great gift God has bestowed on the Church: the spiritual fatherhood of the priesthood.

Catholics know that as members of a parish, they have been committed to a priest’s spiritual care, thus they have great filial affection for priests and call them "father." Priests, in turn, follow the apostles’ biblical example by referring to members of their flock as "my son" or "my child" (cf. Gal. 4:19; 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:1; Philem. 10; 1 Pet. 5:13; 1 John 2:1; 3 John 4).

Answer 6

Cool, is it Happy Hour already? *takes a drink*

By that logic, you can't call the man who gave you half your DNA (or the man married to your mother) "father." Jesus was admonishing us not to given undue importance to those who lead us on earth. It isn't so much about the word as the meaning behind it.

Answer 7

I will answer your question with a question.

Will you please read the entire chapter and then tell me what it means to you?

1) Do not be a hypocrite. Do not be vain. God is superior to man. Heaven is superior to earth.

or

2) Do not use the word "father" in some contexts, in other contexts it is OK. The word "teacher" is OK regardless of what Jesus says.

Answer 8

Look at this, Christians are suppose to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Jesus called his father "Father".... you know "Heavenly Father, God the Father"... therefore we call our earthly father "Father".... including God too...

Jesus never called the high priest in the temple father.... so therefore we should not call these preist or leaders in the church "Father".... get my drift?

Oh Jesus never teached about calling them Reverant either.... he called them elders.... read it, its all there.

Oh and Catholics teach a bunch of baloney as usual.

Answer 9

Father, a priest, in the Catholic church is a representation of God the Father.

John 20:21-23 says "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

He also said in Matthew 28:18 "Go" said Our Lord to his priests "As my Father sent me, I send you. AI I power has been given to me in heaven and on earth go then teach all nations"

Answer 10

This is one of the major reasons I'm not Catholic. Good luck on getting a legitimate answer. Also, no one is to be called Reverand either. Refer to the Bible and think about that.