Call No One "father".

[Antonius]

Matthew 23:8-11 [quote]But do not you be called "Rabbi"; for one is your Master, and all you are brothers.  And call no one on earth your father; for one is your Father, who is in heaven.  Neither be called masters; for one only is your Master, the Christ.  He who is greatest among you shall be your sevant.[/quote]

Many Protestants and non-denominational Christians use this verse to refute the Catholic practice of calling priests "Father" and also the basic hierarchial nature of the Church. This verse is used to support unorganized religion.

I am Catholic, and follow the teachings of the Holy Church, so I do not agree with these claims. The footnote in my bible says, "It would be blameworthy for Christians to give or receive such titles as 'master,' 'father,' 'doctor,' without recognizing that one is 'father in Christ,' that is, in union with and subordination to our Lord and to the Father."

Is there more to be said on this verse? Thank you, Apologetics.

[phatcatholic]

when this verse says "for one is your father" the emphasis is not on number but on pre-eminence. God is not "one" as in "the only one" but "one" as in "the greatest." indeed, there is no father like our father in heaven. but, we do have fathers who live this role in a subordinate way, and who are fathers b/c of our Father in heaven.

God does not have to share his work w/ his people on earth. he could do it all by himself. but, he desires for us to perpetuate his work and his characteristics on earth. therefore, whenever we procreate we realize the One Creator. whenever a priest forgives sin in the sacrament of confession, he realizes the One Forgiver. when two become one in the sacrament of marriage, they realize the mysterious bond between our Lord and His Church. likewise, whenever we "father" on earth--be it biological or spiritual fatherhood--we perpetuate God's One Fatherhood.

how do we know this to be the correct interpretation? well, b/c we have examples of apostles and others playing the role of the One Father on earth. most protestants don't reject the biological fatherhood, but instead contend w/ the spiritual fatherhood that priests represent for us. but, the following verses show a spiritual fatherhood, and one that is hardly rejected by the premise that there is "one father."

[b]Acts 7:2 [/b]And he said, Men, brethren, and [b]fathers[/b], hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our [b]father[/b] Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
[b]--note:[/b] in this verse, both meanings of the title are shown

[b]Acts 22:1 [/b]Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

[b]1 Cor 4:15 [/b]For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[b]--note: [/b]in saying that he has begotten them, Paul is essentially saying, "it is rare to have a father in Christ Jesus. i am one such father to you"

[b]1 Cor 4:17 [/b]For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
[b]--note:[/b] if Timothy is Paul's son in faith, it is logically deduced that Paul is Timothy's father in faith

[b]2 Cor 12:14 [/b]Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
[b]--note:[/b] Paul compares his relationship to the Corinthians as to parents w/ their children. of the parents, Paul is obviously the father.

[b]Phil 2:22 [/b]But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

[b]1 Thess 2:11 [/b]As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

[b]1 Tim 1:2,18 [/b]
[b]2 [/b]Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
[b]18 [/b]This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

[b]2 Tim 1:2 [/b]To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

[b]Titus 1:4 [/b]To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

[b]Philemon 1:10 [/b]I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

[b]1 Pet 5:13 [/b]The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.


for more information, see the following articles:
--[url="http://www.catholic.com/library/Call_No_Man_Father.asp"]Call No Man Father?[/url]
--[url="http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/num26.htm"]Call No Man Father?[/url]
--[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=2875"]Call No Man Father?[/url]
--[url="http://www.cin.org/mateo/91090410.html"]Why Catholics Call Priests "Father"[/url]
--[url="http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/WHYFATHR.htm"]Why Do We Call Priests "Father"?[/url]
--[url="http://cuf.org/nonmemb/callnoman.pdf"]Call No Man Father? Understanding Matthew 23:9[/url]
--[url="http://catholicapologetics.net/apolo_115.htm"]Don't Be Called a Teacher and Call No Man Your Father[/url]
--[url="http://www.cin.org/users/james/questions/q056.htm"]What Do I Tell a Person Who Insists on Calling a Priest "Mister" Instead of "Father"?[/url]


pax christi,
phatcatholic

[Antonius]

Hey thanks, phatcatholic. That's awesome. I forgot about those articles that are in the reference section. You people on phatmass are awesome.