Spiritual Fatherhood

FATHER

Why do we call a priest "father?" Is that not against Scripture?

"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is you Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." (Matthew 23:9-10)

Jesus is saying that there is only one Father, One Creator, and all fatherhood comes from Him.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Ephesians 3:14-15)

We are all members of God's family. We call Him "Our Father."

What does Paul say about this?

"As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children." (1 Thessalonians 2:11)

"I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you may have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church." (1 Corinthians 4:14-17)

"To Timothy, a true son in the faith..." (1 Timothy 1:2)

"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy" (1 Timothy 1:18)

"To Timothy, a beloved son..." (2 Timothy 1:2)

"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1)

"To Titus, a true son in our common faith..." (Titus 1:4)

"I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains." (Philemon 1:10)

In the above passages Paul considers himself a spiritual father. The priest is a spiritual father in the same way - he gives spiritual life to his people, that is, when he baptizes them, forgives their sins, preaches the Gospel to them, etc.

If we take Jesus' statement exactly as it is, "Do not call anyone on earth your father", then we cannot call our biological father by the name of father either. On an application form for a job or credit, etc., we do not put down "God" in the space which says "Father's name?".

Jesus also tells us that we should not be called teachers. But we have all heard the terms "Sunday School Teachers," and we accept that. When we ask a child, "Who is your teacher?", we do not expect the child to reply, "I have only one teacher, the Messiah."

In Acts 7:2-53 Stephen addressed the council. He used the word "father(s)" 17 times. Stephen knew what Jesus had said about "father," and yet he used the word. Stephen knew what Jesus meant.

What does history tell us?

From earliest times, bishops were called "father" because they ordained priests, thus they "beget fathers to the Church." (Ephiphanius: d.403). St. Jerome (A.D. 331-402) says that bishops should be content that they are "father" and not "lord."

The heads of monasteries were called "father" - the word "Abbot" coming from "Abba" which is a familiar word for "father."

The title "Father" was reserved for priests of religious orders, e.g., Franciscans, Dominicans, etc.

Before the Reformation, the parish clergy were called "Sir." This title continued to be used by the ministers in the Protestant churches.

The custom, especially in countries where English is spoken, of addressing ALL priests as "Father" seems to have been an Irish custom which was spread by Irish emigration.