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Call No Man “Father”?
Many Protestants claim that when Catholics address priests as “father,” they are engaging in an unbiblical practice that Jesus forbade: “Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9).
In his tract 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Roman Catholic, Fundamentalist anti-Catholic writer Donald Maconaghie quotes this passage as support for his charge that “the papacy is a hoax.”
Bill Jackson, another Fundamentalist who runs a full-time anti-Catholic organization, says in his book Christian’s Guide To Roman Catholicism that a “study of Matthew 23:9 reveals that Jesus was talking about being called father as a title of religious superiority . . . [which is] the basis for the [Catholic] hierarchy” (53).
How should Catholics respond to such objections?
The Answer
To understand why the charge does not work, one must first understand the use of the word “father” in reference to our earthly fathers. No one would deny a little girl the opportunity to tell someone that she loves her father. Common sense tells us that Jesus wasn’t forbidding this type of use of the word “father.”
In fact, to forbid it would rob the address “Father” of its meaning when applied to God, for there would no longer be any earthly counterpart for the analogy of divine Fatherhood. The concept of God’s role as Father would be meaningless if we obliterated the concept of earthly fatherhood.
But in the Bible the concept of fatherhood is not restricted to just our earthly fathers and God. It is used to refer to people other than biological or legal fathers, and is used as a sign of respect to those with whom we have a special relationship.
For example, Joseph tells his brothers of a special fatherly relationship God had given him with the king of Egypt: “So it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 45:8).
Job indicates he played a fatherly role with the less fortunate: “I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know” (Job 29:16). And God himself declares that he will give a fatherly role to Eliakim, the steward of the house of David: “In that day I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah . . . and I will clothe him with [a] robe, and will bind [a] girdle on him, and will commit . . . authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah” (Is. 22:20–21).
This type of fatherhood not only applies to those who are wise counselors (like Joseph) or benefactors (like Job) or both (like Eliakim), it also applies to those who have a fatherly spiritual relationship with one. For example, Elisha cries, “My father, my father!” to Elijah as the latter is carried up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kgs. 2:12). Later, Elisha himself is called a father by the king of Israel (2 Kgs. 6:21).
A Change with the New Testament?
Some Fundamentalists argue that this usage changed with the New Testament—that while it may have been permissible to call certain men “father” in the Old Testament, since the time of Christ, it’s no longer allowed. This argument fails for several reasons.
First, as we’ve seen, the imperative “call no man father” does not apply to one’s biological father. It also doesn’t exclude calling one’s ancestors “father,” as is shown in Acts 7:2, where Stephen refers to “our father Abraham,” or in Romans 9:10, where Paul speaks of “our father Isaac.”
Second, there are numerous examples in the New Testament of the term “father” being used as a form of address and reference, even for men who are not biologically related to the speaker. There are, in fact, so many uses of “father” in the New Testament, that the Fundamentalist interpretation of Matthew 23 (and the objection to Catholics calling priests “father”) must be wrong, as we shall see.
Third, a careful examination of the context of Matthew 23 shows that Jesus didn’t intend for his words here to be understood literally. The whole passage reads, “But you are not to be called ‘rabbi,’ for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called ‘masters,’ for you have one master, the Christ” (Matt. 23:8–10).
The first problem is that although Jesus seems to prohibit the use of the term “teacher,” in Matthew 28:19–20, Christ himself appointed certain men to be teachers in his Church: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Paul speaks of his commission as a teacher: “For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle . . . a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Tim. 2:7); “For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher” (2 Tim. 1:11). He also reminds us that the Church has an office of teacher: “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers” (1 Cor. 12:28); and “his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). There is no doubt that Paul was not violating Christ’s teaching in Matthew 23 by referring so often to others as “teachers.”
Fundamentalists themselves slip up on this point by calling all sorts of people “doctor,” for example, medical doctors, as well as professors and scientists who have Ph.D. degrees (i.e., doctorates). What they fail to realize is that “doctor” is simply the Latin word for “teacher.” Even “Mister” and “Mistress” (“Mrs.”) are forms of the word “master,” also mentioned by Jesus. So if his words in Matthew 23 were meant to be taken literally, Fundamentalists would be just as guilty for using the word “teacher” and “doctor” and “mister” as Catholics for saying “father.” But clearly, that would be a misunderstanding of Christ’s words.
So What Did Jesus Mean?
Jesus criticized Jewish leaders who love “the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called ‘rabbi’ by men” (Matt. 23:6–7). His admonition here is a response to the Pharisees’ proud hearts and their g.asping after marks of status and prestige.
He was using hyperbole (exaggeration to make a point) to show the scribes and Pharisees how sinful and proud they were for not looking humbly to God as the source of all authority and fatherhood and teaching, and instead setting themselves up as the ultimate authorities, father figures, and teachers.
Christ used hyperbole often, for example when he declared, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matt. 5:29, cf. 18:9; Mark 9:47). Christ certainly did not intend this to be applied literally, for otherwise all Christians would be blind amputees! (cf. 1 John 1:8; 1 Tim. 1:15). We are all subject to “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).
Since Jesus is demonstrably using hyperbole when he says not to call anyone our father—else we would not be able to refer to our earthly fathers as such—we must read his words carefully and with sensitivity to the presence of hyperbole if we wish to understand what he is saying.
Jesus is not forbidding us to call men “fathers” who actually are such—either literally or spiritually. (See below on the apostolic example of spiritual fatherhood.) To refer to such people as fathers is only to acknowledge the truth, and Jesus is not against that. He is warning people against inaccurately attributing fatherhood—or a particular kind or degree of fatherhood—to those who do not have it.
As the apostolic example shows, some individuals genuinely do have a spiritual fatherhood, meaning that they can be
referred to as spiritual fathers. What must not be done is to confuse their form of spiritual paternity with that of God. Ultimately, God is our supreme protector, provider, and instructor. Correspondingly, it is wrong to view any individual other than God as having these roles.Throughout the world, some people have been tempted to look upon religious leaders who are mere mortals as if they were an individual’s supreme source of spiritual instruction, nourishment, and protection. The tendency to turn mere men into “gurus” is worldwide.
This was also a temptation in the Jewish world of Jesus’ day, when famous rabbinical leaders, especially those who founded important schools, such as Hillel and Shammai, were highly exalted by their disciples. It is this elevation of an individual man—the formation of a “cult of personality” around him—of which Jesus is speaking when he warns against attributing to someone an undue role as master, father, or teacher.
He is not forbidding the perfunctory use of honorifics nor forbidding us to recognize that the person does have a role as a spiritual father and teacher. The example of his own apostles shows us that.
The Apostles Show the Way
The New Testament is filled with examples of and references to spiritual father-son and father-child relationships. Many people are not aware just how common these are, so it is worth quoting some of them here.
Paul regularly referred to Timothy as his child: “Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ” (1 Cor. 4:17); “To Timothy, my true child in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Tim. 1:2); “To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:2).
He also referred to Timothy as his son: “This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Tim 1:18); “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1); “But Timothy’s worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel” (Phil. 2:22).
Paul also referred to other of his converts in this way: “To Titus, my true child in a common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4); “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment” (Philem. 10). None of these men were Paul’s literal, biological sons. Rather, Paul is emphasizing his spiritual fatherhood with them.
Spiritual Fatherhood
Perhaps the most pointed New Testament reference to the theology of the spiritual fatherhood of priests is Paul’s statement, “I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:14–15).
Peter followed the same custom, referring to Mark as his son: “She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark” (1 Pet. 5:13). The apostles sometimes referred to entire churches under their care as their children. Paul writes, “Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you; for children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children” (2 Cor. 12:14); and, “My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!” (Gal. 4:19).
John said, “My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1); “No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth” (3 John 4). In fact, John also addresses men in his congregations as “fathers” (1 John 2:13–14).
By referring to these people as their spiritual sons and spiritual children, Peter, Paul, and John imply their own roles as spiritual fathers. Since the Bible frequently speaks of this spiritual fatherhood, we Catholics acknowledge it and follow the custom of the apostles by calling priests “father.” Failure to acknowledge this is a failure to recognize and honor a great gift God has bestowed on the Church: the spiritual fatherhood of the priesthood.
Catholics know that as members of a parish, they have been committed to a priest’s spiritual care, thus they have great filial affection for priests and call them “father.” Priests, in turn, follow the apostles’ biblical example by referring to members of their flock as “my son” or “my child” (cf. Gal. 4:19; 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:1; Philem. 10; 1 Pet. 5:13; 1 John 2:1; 3 John 4).
All of these passages were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and they express the infallibly recorded truth that Christ’s ministers do have a role as spiritual fathers. Jesus is not against acknowledging that. It is he who gave these men their role as spiritual fathers, and it is his Holy Spirit who recorded this role for us in the pages of Scripture. To acknowledge spiritual fatherhood is to acknowledge the truth, and no amount of anti-Catholic grumbling will change that fact.
NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials
presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors.
Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827
permission to publish this work is hereby granted.
+Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004Taken from:
Hi CA,
So you feel justified in abandoning responsibility for your soul's welfare and trusting the men of Rome with your future?Hi POK,
Oddly though she preaches she is to be in total control of your life if you are to attain to salvation through her nobody in it believes that. Most who call themselves catholic are irregular attenders and most priests laugh off some of the fussy bits and as long as you pay your dues they are happy to marry you and do the send off.Guilt is the currency folk pay in and she holds that over men forever. The unsaved fall for the trick, hook line and sinker.
Hi CA,
So you try to avoid the real meaning and divert into trivia?
Fatherhood as spoken of by Jesus includes submission and obedience.
The Jews claim to Abraham and God as fathers was found to be inappropriate.[jn8]Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 07 2009,08:03) So why do you all call your daddy father? Quote Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. Mat 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.
hey nick,
some would be astonished what goes on behind the scenes of the catholic church, how the wine and waffers are kept, their sacred icons and costumes. like you said once before smoke and mirrors.
Luk 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, `Now do ye, the Pharisees, the outside of the cup and of the plate make clean, but your inward part is full of rapine and wickedness;
BD, ask CA on Oct 1st, 2009 in truth or tradition
CA,
Who is your Holy Father? You seem to run away from the Pope instead of embracing him
—————————————————-
BD, once again ask CA on Oct 4th, 2009 in truth or tradition
CA, is this your Father?
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
——————————————————
to date, CA has not answered BD
Quote Satanists don't like answering direct questions either. Quote (princess of the king @ Oct. 07 2009,14:11) BD, ask CA on Oct 1st, 2009 in truth or tradition CA,
Who is your Holy Father? You seem to run away from the Pope instead of embracing him
—————————————————-
BD, once again ask CA on Oct 4th, 2009 in truth or tradition
CA, is this your Father?
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
——————————————————
to date, CA has not answered BD
Quote Satanists don't like answering direct questions either.
I did answer him.Do you wish to be called a liar as well? I didn't think so.
Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 08 2009,09:15) Quote (princess of the king @ Oct. 07 2009,14:11) BD, ask CA on Oct 1st, 2009 in truth or tradition CA,
Who is your Holy Father? You seem to run away from the Pope instead of embracing him
—————————————————-
BD, once again ask CA on Oct 4th, 2009 in truth or tradition
CA, is this your Father?
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
——————————————————
to date, CA has not answered BD
Quote Satanists don't like answering direct questions either.
I did answer him.Do you wish to be called a liar as well? I didn't think so.
So, is the Pope or Patriarch your Father?Quote (bodhitharta @ Oct. 15 2009,04:41) Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 08 2009,09:15) Quote (princess of the king @ Oct. 07 2009,14:11) BD, ask CA on Oct 1st, 2009 in truth or tradition CA,
Who is your Holy Father? You seem to run away from the Pope instead of embracing him
—————————————————-
BD, once again ask CA on Oct 4th, 2009 in truth or tradition
CA, is this your Father?
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
——————————————————
to date, CA has not answered BD
Quote Satanists don't like answering direct questions either.
I did answer him.Do you wish to be called a liar as well? I didn't think so.
So, is the Pope or Patriarch your Father?
There is a sense in which my earthly father is my father. There is a sense in which my spiritual fathers in the faith are my fathers. There is a sense in which the Pope is my father. But…We must understand that ALL FATHERHOOD originates in the Fatherhood of God without this source NO MAN can properly be called “father”:
“For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named,” Eph. 3:14, 15
This is the Catholic understanding of “father.”
From Haydock's Commentary:
Ver. 14-15. For this cause I pray and bow my knees to the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity (or fatherhood[5]) in heaven and earth is named. The Greek word oftentimes signifies a family, and therefore may signify, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; and thus the sense will be, that God is not only the Father of his eternal Son, but (as not only the Latin text, but even the Greek may signify) of all angelical spirits in heaven, and of all men, especially Christians, made his adoptive sons in baptism. But here may be signified not only a family, but those in particular who are honoured with the name and dignity of fathers; so that the name which they have of fathers, or patriarchs, is derived from God the Father of all, and communicated to them in an inferior degree. This exposition is found in St. Jerome, in Theodoret, Theophylactus, St. John Damascene, &c. (Witham) — All paternity, or the whole family; patria. God is the Father both of angels and men: whosoever besides is named father, is so named with subordination to him. (Challoner)
Hi CA,
The POPE's claim to fatherhood over you is empty unless you offer you soul unto his care.
Would you trust Rome over God?Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 15 2009,05:54) From Haydock's Commentary: Ver. 14-15. For this cause I pray and bow my knees to the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity (or fatherhood[5]) in heaven and earth is named. The Greek word oftentimes signifies a family, and therefore may signify, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; and thus the sense will be, that God is not only the Father of his eternal Son, but (as not only the Latin text, but even the Greek may signify) of all angelical spirits in heaven, and of all men, especially Christians, made his adoptive sons in baptism. But here may be signified not only a family, but those in particular who are honoured with the name and dignity of fathers; so that the name which they have of fathers, or patriarchs, is derived from God the Father of all, and communicated to them in an inferior degree. This exposition is found in St. Jerome, in Theodoret, Theophylactus, St. John Damascene, &c. (Witham) — All paternity, or the whole family; patria. God is the Father both of angels and men: whosoever besides is named father, is so named with subordination to him. (Challoner)
Hi CA:We who are born again Christians are family, but Jesus said that we should call no man Father. He said we are all brothers.
There are the patriarchs who we refer to as Fathers, but this is not the same sense as calling the Pope and the Catholic priests Fathers. They are not your heavenly Father.
The authority in the church are Apostles, Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists, and teachers.
Love in Christ,
MartyQuote (942767 @ Oct. 15 2009,09:30) Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 15 2009,05:54) From Haydock's Commentary: Ver. 14-15. For this cause I pray and bow my knees to the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity (or fatherhood[5]) in heaven and earth is named. The Greek word oftentimes signifies a family, and therefore may signify, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; and thus the sense will be, that God is not only the Father of his eternal Son, but (as not only the Latin text, but even the Greek may signify) of all angelical spirits in heaven, and of all men, especially Christians, made his adoptive sons in baptism. But here may be signified not only a family, but those in particular who are honoured with the name and dignity of fathers; so that the name which they have of fathers, or patriarchs, is derived from God the Father of all, and communicated to them in an inferior degree. This exposition is found in St. Jerome, in Theodoret, Theophylactus, St. John Damascene, &c. (Witham) — All paternity, or the whole family; patria. God is the Father both of angels and men: whosoever besides is named father, is so named with subordination to him. (Challoner)
Hi CA:We who are born again Christians are family, but Jesus said that we should call no man Father. He said we are all brothers.
There are the patriarchs who we refer to as Fathers, but this is not the same sense as calling the Pope and the Catholic priests Fathers. They are not your heavenly Father.
The authority in the church are Apostles, Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists, and teachers.
Love in Christ,
Marty
Once again it seems you are really agreeing with CA and not against him, he seems to simply admit it more than you can. Jesus did not prescribe this authority tree in-fact he said do not lord over each other like the gentiles but Paul being a preacher unto the gentiles created this authoritive structure of bishops in this regard to accept the structure would be to accept the concept of spiritual fathers as CA has said.Still it would be good for CA to stand boldly with his spiritual fathers and simply say “Yes, I am proud to call the Pope my Father and other Patriachs as well” He seems to want to slightly squirm away from it as you do.
Be hot or cold!
Jesus said that his disciples were his friends:
John 15 (King James Version)
12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
So, why is it some still try to seek power over others creating mysteries and elite groups who speak in private when Jesus said clearly
“for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you”
Quote (942767 @ Oct. 14 2009,17:30) Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 15 2009,05:54) From Haydock's Commentary: Ver. 14-15. For this cause I pray and bow my knees to the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity (or fatherhood[5]) in heaven and earth is named. The Greek word oftentimes signifies a family, and therefore may signify, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; and thus the sense will be, that God is not only the Father of his eternal Son, but (as not only the Latin text, but even the Greek may signify) of all angelical spirits in heaven, and of all men, especially Christians, made his adoptive sons in baptism. But here may be signified not only a family, but those in particular who are honoured with the name and dignity of fathers; so that the name which they have of fathers, or patriarchs, is derived from God the Father of all, and communicated to them in an inferior degree. This exposition is found in St. Jerome, in Theodoret, Theophylactus, St. John Damascene, &c. (Witham) — All paternity, or the whole family; patria. God is the Father both of angels and men: whosoever besides is named father, is so named with subordination to him. (Challoner)
Hi CA:We who are born again Christians are family, but Jesus said that we should call no man Father. He said we are all brothers.
There are the patriarchs who we refer to as Fathers, but this is not the same sense as calling the Pope and the Catholic priests Fathers. They are not your heavenly Father.
The authority in the church are Apostles, Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists, and teachers.
Love in Christ,
Marty
MartyThen the prophet Isaiah was wrong in prohesying Jesus would be called “Everlasting Father”, Isa 9:6
Then Paul the Apostle was wrong for saying he was a Father to those he espoused in Christ!
Then anyone who calls his dad, Father is breaking his commandment!
And how about this one…
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) Eph 6:2
BTW the Greek word for Father in the above verse is “pater”, the same word Jesus used a thousand times!
WJ
Quote (WorshippingJesus @ Oct. 15 2009,09:59) Quote (942767 @ Oct. 14 2009,17:30) Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 15 2009,05:54) From Haydock's Commentary: Ver. 14-15. For this cause I pray and bow my knees to the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity (or fatherhood[5]) in heaven and earth is named. The Greek word oftentimes signifies a family, and therefore may signify, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; and thus the sense will be, that God is not only the Father of his eternal Son, but (as not only the Latin text, but even the Greek may signify) of all angelical spirits in heaven, and of all men, especially Christians, made his adoptive sons in baptism. But here may be signified not only a family, but those in particular who are honoured with the name and dignity of fathers; so that the name which they have of fathers, or patriarchs, is derived from God the Father of all, and communicated to them in an inferior degree. This exposition is found in St. Jerome, in Theodoret, Theophylactus, St. John Damascene, &c. (Witham) — All paternity, or the whole family; patria. God is the Father both of angels and men: whosoever besides is named father, is so named with subordination to him. (Challoner)
Hi CA:We who are born again Christians are family, but Jesus said that we should call no man Father. He said we are all brothers.
There are the patriarchs who we refer to as Fathers, but this is not the same sense as calling the Pope and the Catholic priests Fathers. They are not your heavenly Father.
The authority in the church are Apostles, Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists, and teachers.
Love in Christ,
Marty
MartyThen the prophet Isaiah was wrong in prohesying Jesus would be called “Everlasting Father”, Isa 9:6
Then Paul the Apostle was wrong for saying he was a Father to those he espoused in Christ!
Then anyone who calls his dad, Father is breaking his commandment!
WJ
Isaiah 9:6 is not referring to Jesus it is about Hezekiah
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