I read this article on honorific titles in the church and it is making the case that using Reverend, Archbishop or even Pastor, etc., as a title is wrong because it falls under the verse where Jesus said: “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Matt 23:8-12).
It’s making the case that it isn’t about the use of the words Rabbi or Father but taking titles themselves and I’m hoping to get some feedback on what people think about it. I don’t endorse the sight but thought this article is thought-provoking.
Calling anyone by a title that implies some sort of superiority makes cattle out of the sheep, separates the ministering from the ministered, and pure vocation out of a situation that is supposed to be equal, although the pastor is first among equals. Everyone is “brother” or “sister”.
Jesus was using hyperbole (like if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off) in reference to the scribes and Pharisees.
Paul called himself a father repeatedly and it’s not uncommon in the rest of the NT.
Those who are enamored with this teaching usually desperately want someone to call them pastor…
I’ve been following the massive sex abuse scandal unfolding as we speak within the Southern Baptist Convention. Hundreds of perpetrators, even more victims coming forward. What stands out is how churches knowingly harbored sex abusers. It’s gone from #MeToo to #ChurchToo and now to #SBCtoo.
At the same time, I’m now reading how Crossroads Church in Vancouver kept a pastor of families in his position even after he was credibly accused of sexual abuse at a previous church by an abuse survivor. They ignored her and kept him in the same position. They then fired him abruptly without comment only when the WartBurg Watch published an article exposing the situation.
At the end of this, I’ll post a link to an article exposing numerous SBC churches harboring abusers – just like Crossroads Church was doing. And it is making me think, how many Calvary Chapel churches are also harboring abusers? Just like there is #ChurchToo and #MeToo there needs to be #CalvaryChapelToo
Jerod, Josh, and Micheal thank you for your replies.
Josh or anyone, I know they were using titles in the early church, in the new testament I’m thinking they are used as secular like Theopholis… is there an example of something like an Apostle, etc., using a title?
Michael, isn’t paul in those verses using father as a metaphor for leading people to Christ or for mentoring Timothy and not as a title?
directambiguity,
Of course he is and that’s why it quickly became a title in common usage.
We know that there were titled bishops late in the first century.
The objection that the writer and those sympathetic with him is that hierarchies were not part of the early church.
It would have been the first and last organization in human history that was said of , if true.
The only ‘organized’ Xn denomination I know of that eschews hierarchy and titles would be the
Quakers (Friends). And even with them, I don’t think all of their churches do — but I defer to
Bob Sweat on that one.
And my understanding of church history is similar to Michael’s that yes bishops were established
before the end of the first century.
We have had several funerals at my church since the beginning of the year. I go to almost all of them, whether I know the people or not, just to show support. I find this video helpful in describing what a funeral should be. Four kinds of funerals (7 1/2 min)
It’s all yours today…
Hi everyone,
I read this article on honorific titles in the church and it is making the case that using Reverend, Archbishop or even Pastor, etc., as a title is wrong because it falls under the verse where Jesus said: “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Matt 23:8-12).
Here is the link to the article https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/documents/church-practice/honorific-titles.php#.XPrvo7zYphF
It’s making the case that it isn’t about the use of the words Rabbi or Father but taking titles themselves and I’m hoping to get some feedback on what people think about it. I don’t endorse the sight but thought this article is thought-provoking.
I agree.
Calling anyone by a title that implies some sort of superiority makes cattle out of the sheep, separates the ministering from the ministered, and pure vocation out of a situation that is supposed to be equal, although the pastor is first among equals. Everyone is “brother” or “sister”.
There are titles used throughout the new testament, and then in the early church.
Jesus was using hyperbole (like if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off) in reference to the scribes and Pharisees.
Paul called himself a father repeatedly and it’s not uncommon in the rest of the NT.
Those who are enamored with this teaching usually desperately want someone to call them pastor…
I’ve been following the massive sex abuse scandal unfolding as we speak within the Southern Baptist Convention. Hundreds of perpetrators, even more victims coming forward. What stands out is how churches knowingly harbored sex abusers. It’s gone from #MeToo to #ChurchToo and now to #SBCtoo.
At the same time, I’m now reading how Crossroads Church in Vancouver kept a pastor of families in his position even after he was credibly accused of sexual abuse at a previous church by an abuse survivor. They ignored her and kept him in the same position. They then fired him abruptly without comment only when the WartBurg Watch published an article exposing the situation.
At the end of this, I’ll post a link to an article exposing numerous SBC churches harboring abusers – just like Crossroads Church was doing. And it is making me think, how many Calvary Chapel churches are also harboring abusers? Just like there is #ChurchToo and #MeToo there needs to be #CalvaryChapelToo
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Abuse-of-Faith-Southern-Baptist-churches-13912529.php
Jerod, Josh, and Micheal thank you for your replies.
Josh or anyone, I know they were using titles in the early church, in the new testament I’m thinking they are used as secular like Theopholis… is there an example of something like an Apostle, etc., using a title?
Michael, isn’t paul in those verses using father as a metaphor for leading people to Christ or for mentoring Timothy and not as a title?
directambiguity,
Of course he is and that’s why it quickly became a title in common usage.
We know that there were titled bishops late in the first century.
The objection that the writer and those sympathetic with him is that hierarchies were not part of the early church.
It would have been the first and last organization in human history that was said of , if true.
The only ‘organized’ Xn denomination I know of that eschews hierarchy and titles would be the
Quakers (Friends). And even with them, I don’t think all of their churches do — but I defer to
Bob Sweat on that one.
And my understanding of church history is similar to Michael’s that yes bishops were established
before the end of the first century.
We have had several funerals at my church since the beginning of the year. I go to almost all of them, whether I know the people or not, just to show support. I find this video helpful in describing what a funeral should be. Four kinds of funerals (7 1/2 min)