Brother Adam Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 From: Catholic Theology and the Holy Scriptures by Adam Janke This is part of one chapter from the book I'm writing. It's still only a draft, but its coming along. What you think? Call No Man Father The Misconception: The Bible says "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." (Matthew 23:8-9) By calling their priests 'Father' Catholics break this command of Jesus. The Truth of the Matter: Oh, if only it were so easy to debunk Catholicism and show faulty and misguided doctrines. But nothing is that easy when it comes to a faith almost 2000 years in the making. First, take the entire passage into account. The chapter continues with "Nor are you to be called 'teacher' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 10-12) Jesus isn't talking about mere vocabulary, but the meaning behind the words. When Paul describes the gifts of the spirit, teaching is among them. Christ here isn't saying it is wrong to call Mr. Smith in chemistry "teacher" or that you can't call your dad "father". However this command echoes the first commandment to have no other gods. We are to exalt no other person as God or place our full confidence in any other person than God himself. He is "Our Father who art in heaven" and we should consider no one else "Our Father". Jesus also is specifically addressing the Pharisees who loved titles of honor. This would be why the passage states rabbi, teacher, and father as the three titles not to call others. The Pharisees sought out pride in these titles. The teaching here is against such pride. As subjects address the Queen of England "Your Majesty" priests receive the title of "Father". Just as someone would receive the title of "Dr." when completing an M.D. or a Ph.D., the Catholic priest receives the title "Father". While it is a title of status as leadership in the church, it is used as a sign of respect. Consider also that Paul refers to Abraham as the 'father of all' in Romans 4:17-18, and even refers to himself as a father to the believers in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 4:14-15. Catholics do not call their pastors "Father" because they believe he is a "little Jesus", or Jesus or God the Father himself. Any Catholic or non-Catholic alike who would tell you this should be corrected. There are many excellent sections in the Catechism on the priesthood which are worth there read. We will explore the priesthood in further depth later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 it's good... but one major flaw.... There are many excellent sections in the Catechism on the priesthood which are worth there read. it's THEIR!!!!! :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted January 20, 2004 Author Share Posted January 20, 2004 :P That's what the editor's for :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Hey Adam! How's it going? I posted previously, but you must've missed it. I'd been over to FlyFree Ministries, but all the Catholic stuff was gone! Whhappened? Nice to see back, and hello to the Missus! :wub: Pax Christi. <>< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 cool, Bro Adam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted January 20, 2004 Author Share Posted January 20, 2004 Hi anna, you shouldn't have been able to access the website at all. It's been gone for a while now. I can't afford to keep it up and running (i'm poor ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laudate_Dominum Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Another point is that Christ's preaching was in a particular time and in a Jewish idiom. Obviously the truths are timeless and the message transcendent, and we can grasp this message most fully in union with the living Tradition of the Church and her guidance. In light of this it can be understood that many of Christ's teachings make use of hyperbole, which was a common Rabinical teaching method. For example when Christ says to cut out your eye or cut off your hand, he is clearly using a hyperbole. The same is true with his statement "call no man father". The true meaning was explained above and is the correct interpretation in light of Tradition, as already made evident in Scriptures themselves since the New Testament (Paul being a major example, but even Christ himself who says father Abraham a number of times). Since the apostles, and Christ Himself obviously didn't interpret this teaching in a strict literal sense it is clearly hyperbole (there are other reasons that support this interpretation but what has been said so far more than suffices). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laudate_Dominum Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 And thanks Brother Adam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 (edited) sounds good, bro! here are some more scripture verses that you may wish to include: Judges 18:10 - priesthood and fatherhood have always been identified together. Fatherhood literally means "communicating one's nature," and just as biological fathers communicate their nature to their children, so do spiritual fathers communicate the nature of God to us, their children, through (hopefully) teaching and example. Eph. 3:14-15 - every family in heaven and on earth is named from the "Father." We are fathers in the Father. Acts 7:2; 22:1,1 John 2:13 - elders of the Church are called "fathers." Therefore, we should ask the question, "Why don't Protestants call their pastors "father?" 1 Cor. 4:15 - Paul writes, "I became your father in Christ Jesus." 1 Cor. 4:17 - Paul calls Bishop Timothy a beloved and faithful "child" in the Lord. 2 Cor. 12:14 - Paul describes his role as parent over his "children" the Corinthians. Phil. 2:22 - Paul calls Timothy's service to him as a son serves a "father." 1 Thess. 2:11- Paul compares the Church elders' ministry to the people like a father with his children. 1 Tim. 1:2,18; 2 Tim. 1:2-3 - Paul calls Timothy his true "child" in the faith and his son. Titus 1:4 - Paul calls Titus his true "child" in a common faith. Priests are our spiritual fathers in the family of God. Philemon 10 - Paul says he has become the "father" of Onesimus. Heb. 12:7,9 - emphasizes our earthly "fathers." But these are not just biological but also spiritual (the priests of the Church). 1 Peter 5:13 - Peter refers to himself as father by calling Mark his "son." 1 John 2:1,13,14 - John calls the elders of the Church "fathers." 1 John 2:1,18,28; 3:18; 5:21; 3 John 4 - John calls members of the Church "children." 1 Macc. 2:65 - Mattathias the priest tells his sons that Simeon will be their "father." from Scripture Catholic Edited January 20, 2004 by phatcatholic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Huether Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Bro. You are awsome! Thanks for your inspiration. You will no doubt touch many people. The Truth is sharper than any two edge sword. That is fo' sho'. God bless you. And say hi to the wifey for me. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EcceNovaFacioOmni Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Wait a tick, you're not Catholic? It's good to see stuff like this coming out of non-Catholics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Wait a tick, you're not Catholic? It's good to see stuff like this coming out of non-Catholics. yup, that's why we love him and hold on to him for dear life! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 Hi anna, you shouldn't have been able to access the website at all. It's been gone for a while now. Hmmm. I somehow got re-directed to some sort of personal website then, cuz it gave all sorts of personal info about you, your height, eye color, hair color, etc., listed a bunch of your friends who you wanted to thank... *Bugs Bunny voice* Did I take a wrong toin in Albequoiquie? Good to see ya back, Bro! Pax Christi. <>< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted January 21, 2004 Author Share Posted January 21, 2004 Good Grief. So much to respond to. PhatCatholic - Each section needs to be rather short and to the point. If you get too long you'll lose peoples attention. Depending on the size of the text an in depth appendix of other references may be included. Thanks though! Anna, it sounds like you may have ended up in my ooooollld Geocities website. I haven't even been to it in over a year... I"m not even sure of the URL anymore L_D, I get what your saying there, but as I told phatcatholic, you just can't get too complex with us humble protestants. The book, if published will probably spawn so much contraversy there will hopefully be time to go further in depth, and God willing, a second book. God Bless, Bro. Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 (edited) We're hoping that Brother Adam is Martin Luther in Reverse! :D Pax Christi. <>< P.S. Have your ears been ringing, Brother Adam? Cuz whenever rude or insulting protestants begin attacking our beliefs, we tell them we have this cool protestant friend who posts here who knows how to be respectful and charitable!!! :wub: Edited January 21, 2004 by Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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