Sister Darlene, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
The Bible is THE WORD; therefore, the words are the (Heavenly) Fathers. Proverbs 6:20 is the (Heavenly) FATHER saying to you THE SON (or daughter) to keep his words. It does not contradict the scripture in Matthew telling you to call no one father; but GOD THE (heavenly) FATHER.
The context of Matthew 23:9 tells us that referring to one's biological father as "father" is not what Jesus is speaking about.
In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus is denouncing the Jewish scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him as their Messiah, in particular for their hypocrisy in elevating themselves above others with titles such as "teacher" and "master." The Jewish teachers affected those titles because they supposed that a teacher formed the man or gave him real life. They sought, therefore, to be called "father," as if they were the source of truth rather than God. Christ taught that the source of all life and truth is God, and no one ought to seek or receive a title that properly belongs to Him. No one should be as revered as God is.
This denunciation is equally relevant today. In no way should any person look up to, follow, or elevate a human leader in any religious or church organization above Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is His body. He alone is the author of our salvation, source of comfort in difficulties, and strength to live the Christian life. He is the only One to whom our prayers should be directed. No one else has the right to say, "Look to me to meet your spiritual needs." Jesus' warning against calling men "father" is a caution against ostentation, pride, and hypocrisy.
Roman Catholics call their priests "father," and the Pope is the "holy father." Abbots take their title from the Aramaic word abba, which means "father." This is clearly unbiblical. The priest as "father" is problematic. In the case of "holy father," there is no doubt this title is unbiblical. No man can take on the title of "holy" anything, because only God is holy. This title gives the Pope a status that is never intended for any man on earth.
And then in proverbs 6:20 it turns around and calls your father -father? I don't get that.
Thanks
The Bible is THE WORD; therefore, the words are the (Heavenly) Fathers. Proverbs 6:20 is the (Heavenly) FATHER saying to you THE SON (or daughter) to keep his words. It does not contradict the scripture in Matthew telling you to call no one father; but GOD THE (heavenly) FATHER.
In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus is denouncing the Jewish scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him as their Messiah, in particular for their hypocrisy in elevating themselves above others with titles such as "teacher" and "master." The Jewish teachers affected those titles because they supposed that a teacher formed the man or gave him real life. They sought, therefore, to be called "father," as if they were the source of truth rather than God. Christ taught that the source of all life and truth is God, and no one ought to seek or receive a title that properly belongs to Him. No one should be as revered as God is.
This denunciation is equally relevant today. In no way should any person look up to, follow, or elevate a human leader in any religious or church organization above Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is His body. He alone is the author of our salvation, source of comfort in difficulties, and strength to live the Christian life. He is the only One to whom our prayers should be directed. No one else has the right to say, "Look to me to meet your spiritual needs." Jesus' warning against calling men "father" is a caution against ostentation, pride, and hypocrisy.
Roman Catholics call their priests "father," and the Pope is the "holy father." Abbots take their title from the Aramaic word abba, which means "father." This is clearly unbiblical. The priest as "father" is problematic. In the case of "holy father," there is no doubt this title is unbiblical. No man can take on the title of "holy" anything, because only God is holy. This title gives the Pope a status that is never intended for any man on earth.
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