Roman Catholic priests are addressed by the name of "Father" as a formal religious title of honor. In addition, the pope uses the title "Holy Father." It is believed that doing so is following the custom of the apostles, since spiritual fatherhood was a known concept to them (Luke 16:24; 1 Corinthians 4:15). Therefore, not using such a title as "Father" is viewed as failing to acknowledge the gifts and responsibilities that God has bestowed on ordained clergy members. However, these titles of exaltation become problematic in light of Jesus Christ's teaching on this matter:
The context of this passage focuses on religious elitism and hypocrisy. The scribes and Pharisees loved being the center of attention. They did good works with the intention of receiving praise from other people. That is, in essence, what those men craved. The scribes and Pharisees were outwardly righteous, but were depraved to the core of their being. They had no love in their hearts for God or other people. Jesus, knowing all things in His divinity, was insulted by their behavior. Human pride is an affront to the Triune majesty.
True greatness lies in servitude and genuine love for God and others. Jesus' critique of the religious leaders of His day underscores the emptiness of outward righteousness without inner transformation. Pride and hypocrisy are fundamentally at odds with the heart of the gospel. Christ's message is just as relevant today as it was when first given. Human pride is one of the pinnacle problems existing throughout the ages. It has always been a competition of who is the greatest or who gets to control who. We all are thrilled to receive words of praise, but not so much words of criticism or rebuke.
It is appropriate to recognize an individual as being a spiritual father, a teacher, bishop, elder, overseer, pastor, or a deacon. It is proper to note the academic qualifications of other people. Christ was undoubtedly using hyperbole when saying that no one on earth should be called father. His intent was to further strengthen His denunciation of self-righteousness. However, there is no biblical warrant for emphasizing titles to the point of self-exaltation. Interestingly, we never see people in the New Testament called "Father David," "Reverend Peter," "Doctor Timothy," etc. We have no business claiming for ourselves a deference that we do not deserve. The church is God's kingdom.
We are "brethren" in Jesus Christ. That would logically deemphasize any role of exaltation in the church. No one has intrinsic superiority over another. The point is that we are all servants of Christ, not one another. He is our Master to whom absolute allegiance is owed. We are not to use titles to call attention to ourselves. They are not to be used to call attention to our accomplishments. God already knows our hearts. He knows whether or not we are faithful to Him. That should be our utmost priority in life and service. There is nothing scriptural about leaders in the church requiring others to address them by special titles of honor.
Matthew 23:5-13 specifically forbids the love of flattering religious titles and believers striving to be placed on a pedestal. The underlying problem with insisting that we be addressed by formal titles of honor in the church is our tendency to become puffed-up. Further, ministers should not demand to be addressed by a particular title, especially when there may be older and more accomplished individuals than themselves in the assembly. Ministers may not even know everyone around themselves personally. God honors those who are humble. He despises arrogance. It is those characterized by that vice He judges.
It is appropriate to recognize an individual as being a spiritual father, a teacher, bishop, elder, overseer, pastor, or a deacon. It is proper to note the academic qualifications of other people. Christ was undoubtedly using hyperbole when saying that no one on earth should be called father. His intent was to further strengthen His denunciation of self-righteousness. However, there is no biblical warrant for emphasizing titles to the point of self-exaltation. Interestingly, we never see people in the New Testament called "Father David," "Reverend Peter," "Doctor Timothy," etc. We have no business claiming for ourselves a deference that we do not deserve. The church is God's kingdom.
We are "brethren" in Jesus Christ. That would logically deemphasize any role of exaltation in the church. No one has intrinsic superiority over another. The point is that we are all servants of Christ, not one another. He is our Master to whom absolute allegiance is owed. We are not to use titles to call attention to ourselves. They are not to be used to call attention to our accomplishments. God already knows our hearts. He knows whether or not we are faithful to Him. That should be our utmost priority in life and service. There is nothing scriptural about leaders in the church requiring others to address them by special titles of honor.
Matthew 23:5-13 specifically forbids the love of flattering religious titles and believers striving to be placed on a pedestal. The underlying problem with insisting that we be addressed by formal titles of honor in the church is our tendency to become puffed-up. Further, ministers should not demand to be addressed by a particular title, especially when there may be older and more accomplished individuals than themselves in the assembly. Ministers may not even know everyone around themselves personally. God honors those who are humble. He despises arrogance. It is those characterized by that vice He judges.
Lastly, nothing could be more haughty than the pope being called "Holy Father." That title in Scripture is applied only to God (John 17:11). Only He is worthy of that kind of exaltation (Revelation 15:4). It would seem that a true man of God would shutter at the idea of such a title being applied to himself by others or even thinking himself fit to possess it. No man who claims to represent Christ on this earth should feel comfortable with being called "Holy Father." If Roman Catholic officials truly are humble people, then why not give up any special titles of honor that they currently wield? Why not strive to be different than the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus Christ scolded?
Very well said!
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