Thorwald Johansen
Member
Matthew 23:9 tells us to call no man [spritual] Father on earth, because we have only one spiritual Father, who is in heaven. Why do the Catholics call their ministers 'Father'?
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An "official" Catholic explanation is here: Call No Man "Father"?Matthew 23:9 tells us to call no man [spritual] Father on earth, because we have only one spiritual Father, who is in heaven. Why do the Catholics call their ministers 'Father'?
It's a word. If that word means something that you should call a minister, then don't use it. Beyond that, it really doesn't matter. We don't kill witches, do we?
However, I don't think that other Christian denominations are blameless in this sort of thing... I mean, I can't think of any Christian denomination that actually adheres to Matthew 6:5-6.
Actually, speaking of Matthew 6, that's another Catholic practice that's never made sense to me: how do they reconcile the practice of marking their foreheads with ashes on Ash Wednesday with what's written in Mark 6:16-18?
We are told by scripture, that we will return to the days of Noah. I agree with your comments above. Further, we are told to discuss what God reveals to us on an individual basis, amongst ourselves. The ministers of today, will not listen. They have it all figured out on their own. They are 'the blind leading the blind'.
Minsters believe, that because they attended a bible college, they are somehow spiritually 'above' the rest of mankind. This is not true. God chooses who He wants. Many are taught incorrect scripture interpretations, and go forward and teach others the same errors. Solomon did the correct thing. He relied on no man's wisdom. He went straight to God for wisdom, and was rewarded for it. We are told by scripture, that those who are the least in the eyes of man (for God's sake), will be made the greatest in the eyes of God. Ministers have become 'high headed', and are often assuming that they know everything.
Is the pope not called, "Holy Father?"
Not all ministers.
Paul said that he was Timothy's father in the faith. I don't want anyone calling me father other than my kids, but of all the things that we can correct in others, calling someone "father" is rather piddly.
More words. What do you think they mean?
They mean what they say. That is the whole purpose of 'using words'. Catholics are calling their pope, "Holy Father." In 1 Corinthians chpt 7, we are told, that we do not know if our own spouses are saved. How much do you know about 'The Pope'? Has he got a closet full of skeltons? Has he ever chased the little altar boys? Is he really 'holy' in the sight of God? Sin affects ALL OF MANKIND. This includes the pope.
If it was important enough for The Son of God to make it part of His Word, and God is The Word, I would not call it 'piddly'. We saw what happened to Aaron's two sons (Leviticus), when they did not follow God's instructions for sacrificial offerings. They, by their actions, changed The Word of God.
So then you never pray in public, right?
They mean what they say. That is the whole purpose of 'using words'. Catholics are calling their pope, "Holy Father." In 1 Corinthians chpt 7, we are told, that we do not know if our own spouses are saved. How much do you know about 'The Pope'? Has he got a closet full of skeltons? Has he ever chased the little altar boys? Is he really 'holy' in the sight of God? Sin affects ALL OF MANKIND. This includes the pope.
They mean what they say. That is the whole purpose of 'using words'. Catholics are calling their pope, "Holy Father." In 1 Corinthians chpt 7, we are told, that we do not know if our own spouses are saved. How much do you know about 'The Pope'? Has he got a closet full of skeltons? Has he ever chased the little altar boys? Is he really 'holy' in the sight of God? Sin affects ALL OF MANKIND. This includes the pope.
Can we call you daddy?I don't want anyone calling me father other than my kids
It wasn't important enough for Paul.
That is correct.
What scripture are you thinking of?
Words mean nothing until you attach meaning to them.
Example: I just made up a word. It's 'goatelathage'. Does it have any meaning? No. Can I attach one to it? Yes. It now means 'going to the bathroom on Tuesday'. So it's now a verb. No one uses it, not even me, but it's still a word.
'Holy Father' is the same way, just a different assemblage of letters in the quotes.
To me, 'Holy Father' means 'idiot'. More specifically, 'an idiot in terms of the missal readings, mass settings, and music arrangements'.